ACTRESS Natalie Casey says she can't wait to don "100% synthetic fibres" once more for the third run of hit musical 9 to 5 in Glasgow.

And the 33-year-old former soap star, who plays cheated-on wife Judy Bernly, says the cult 80s comedy about a sleazy, misogynist boss, is "more relevant than ever."

"We've all experienced (sexism) as women, haven't we," she asks.

"It happens on a daily basis.

"I think it is even more prevalent today than it has been in the past 20 years, because I think you get told that things are equal and then you have nothing to rally against, and yet you are seeing discrimination all around you.

"I went to see that new film Heat (starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy), which is absolutely brilliant, and one of my male colleagues said to me, "Yes but is there anything funny in it for boys."

"So if you've got a women's bits, you can't be funny? We just need to make sure we are bigger and louder than the boys."

After making its Scottish premiere in Glasgow in November 2012, the musical swiftly returned north in January 2013.

Now, due to demand from fans, country legend Dolly Parton is set to send her show back to The King's Theatre for a bit more overtime from August 13-17.

The production also stars Ben Richards, as Franklin Hart, Jackie Clune, as Violet Newstead, Amy Lennox, as Doralee Rhodes, and Anita Louise Combe, as Roz Keith.

Petite former Hollyoaks star Natalie says she pestered her agent for the part.

She says: "To the extent that he was saying, "It's 3am in the morning Natalie, go home.

"I knew the film very well and I'm a bit fan of the early 1970s/80s female empowerment comedies.

"I think they don't really make parts like that for women any more. It was a special time for women in cinema.

"I'm hoping there is going to be a comeback in those sorts of strong female characters."

Natalie is perhaps best known for her roles in teen soap Hollyoaks, and comedy Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

However, she proved her versatility after picking up the gong for Best Supporting Actress in a Play for her role as Angela in the Mike Leigh's 1970s classic Abigail's Party.

She says appearing in a musical, often singing two two-hour plus shows a day for weeks on end, has tested her to the limit.

She says: "I've done a couple of singing roles before but with something like this it's quite a big undertaking. I've got a few large songs, so you have to really pace yourself.

"The touring has been the most challenging, it's about looking after yourself and keeping your stamina up.

"If you've got two shows in one day you have to make sure you don't give it all in the first show.

"The costumes are hilarious. It's all 100% synthetic fibres. I smell like a goat by the end of each performance."

The Manchester-born actress says the musical has elicited some typically feisty reactions from Glasgow audiences.

"This will be our third time in Glasgow and I'm really looking forward to it," she says.

"It's a very beautiful city. We have travelled through a fair number of town and cities and Glasgow is definitely up there in my top three.

"People in the audience are always shouting out.

"There's a section where the Dolly Parton character has to string up the evil horrible, boss.

"And she has to decide if she is going to put him up on the winch or shoot him. And the amount of people who shout, 'kill him, kill him!'

"It's brilliant, it means that they care."

l 9-5 is running at the King's Theatre until August 17 with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets: £15 - £39.50 are available from 0844 871 7648 (booking fee) or from www.atgtickets.com/glasgow