Irish Star’s 9 To 5 musical tribute to Dolly Parton

Actors stepped out from musical tribute on Tuesday

Karla Tracey, who plays Parton's character Doralee in the stage show at the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing, West Sussex, made the announcement ahead of curtain-up.

The run marks her professional UK debut.

What was said before the 9 To 5 musical

Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80 in Nashville, Tennessee.

She starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film 9 To 5 and later wrote the music and lyrics for the stage adaptation, which means her fingerprints are on every number in the show Tracey was about to perform.

Karla Tracey said this before the performance: "We would like to take a moment to remember the remarkable Dolly Parton, who has sadly passed away today.

"9 To 5 was originally written and produced by Dolly, whose extraordinary talent, creativity and spirit are woven into every part of this work.

"Tonight, we will perform the piece as she intended, with great respect and affection for the woman whose vision brought it to life."

Footage of the moment, published by The Journal, captures the audible reaction from an audience who had arrived for a night of Parton's songs and learned mid-foyer that she was gone.

It is the kind of scene that will be repeated in theatres for weeks, in much the same way a West End musical casting change ripples through a run.

For an Irish performer making her UK debut in Parton's own show, it was an extraordinary way to begin.