Star of the stage Marina Prior opens up on bullying and sexism in theatre by ‘powerful men’

Stage star Marina Prior has revealed theatre was “the wild west” in her early career, and she experienced sexism and bullying while working with older, powerful men.

Casey Donovan, Marina Prior and Erin Clare, star in the Dolly Parton musical, 9 To 5. Picture: Peter Brew Bevan

It’s the original girl-power story of women fighting for equality and better treatment in the workplace.

For Marina Prior, Australia’s much-loved theatre star and singer, themes of bullying and sexism in Dolly Parton’s blockbuster musical 9 To 5, ring true to her early experiences in show business.

“I’ve been doing this for close to 40 years, and I have experienced in my time, sexism and bullying, certainly in my industry,” Prior told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“I started in this industry (aged) 19 in the 1980s. There was no #metoo movement, there was no workplace bullying policies. None of that. I was often working with older, more powerful men.”

Marina Prior in 1983.

Prior added: “It was a very different world, hugely different to the workplace we have now in theatre.”

Prior said she survived because she considered the work more important than industry misbehaviour.

“I’ve always been a lot tougher than I looked, and I loved my work more than I hated a bad work situation,” she said. “The love for what I do always triumphed over whatever adversity I might have faced, particularly as a younger woman

“It was a wild west scenario when I started in the theatre. It was like every man and woman for themselves.”

9 To 5, which stars Prior, Casey Donovan, Erin Clare, Caroline O’Connor and Eddie Perfect, opens at the Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre on July 10.

The musical, with score by Dolly Parton, is based on a hit 1980 movie about workplace inequality which starred Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.

9 to 5 is the blockbuster musical based on a hit 1980 movie about workplace inequality which starred Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Picture: Robyn Beck

Prior says the 42-year-old story is still relevant as ever.

“Equal pay for men and women is still not a reality,” she said. “I have lines where we talk about men and women being treated differently, in workplace and executive situations, and I say: ‘I bet in 10 years time, this won’t even be an issue anymore.’”

But Prior says the musical is joyous and life-affirming because the women drive each other to succeed. “They triumph through their friendship. They’re not pitted up against each other, which is cool.”

Parton said in a statement: “I’m so excited 9 to 5 is coming to Melbourne with this talented cast and crew leading the way.”