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REVIEW
✭✭✭☆☆ 3/5

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN 
THE MUSICAL
BASED ON THE HIT 1980s FILM 

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea | TUE 16 - SAT 20 JULY 2024
​The touring production of an Officer and a Gentleman has arrived at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion this week, full of 80s nostalgia and based on the film version starring Richard Gere and Deborah Winger.  A box office hit at the time and *spoiler alert* anyone who was around at the time will no doubt have memories of the video of the hit song, Up Where We Belong where Gere’s character, Zack Mayo, iconically returns to scoop up Winger’s Paula from her factory job to carry her off into the sunset.

Having not seen the film, I can’t make comparisons but this is most definitely as juke box a musical as they come. With lots of upbeat 80s tunes throughout (22 in all) which somehow merge into the narrative of the storyline following the journey of Zack and the other new recruits at the US Naval Aviation Training facility in Pensacola, Florida; including Sid who has a dead brother’s reputation to live up to.  Almost every recruit has a back story and Zack has his own demons to deal with too.   The pair hook up with local girls, Paula and Lynette, and their romantic relationships gradually develop as the show progresses.

The storyline is actually pretty gritty and dark in places and, where there is light, there are attempts to inject humour into the piece that is a bit hit and miss.  

I often wonder how writers of jukebox musicals pick the songs they use. Do they write the script and then choose the songs or vice versa? Like, ‘Ooh let’s have Livin On A Prayer because then we can have someone with a shot glass on their head in the bar scene and just as they sing ‘we'll give it a shot’ we can get someone to take the shot of their head and drink it at the same time. Genius!’ And ‘let’s stick in Girls just Wanna Have Fun because that’s in pretty much every jukebox musical and always goes down well with audiences.  There are some pretty random song choices in this show that don’t particularly seem to fit the subject matter.

Now all that said, you cannot fault the performances from every member of the cast, with every one of them giving 100% throughout alongside some fabulously energetic dance numbers from choreographer, Joanna Goodwin. There are some outstanding vocals from the leads and Luke Baker playing Zack really shows off his stunning vocal range throughout, not least  in the Blaze of Glory number.  Likewise, Georgia Lennon as Zack's love interest, Paula, is constantly on top of her game and she confidently belts out some powerful vocals in the Alone number.

Some of the performances, it could be noted, are a little OTT but that’s down to Nikolei Foster’s direction, however, Paul French’s character of Sid stood out as being especially well balanced and was probably one of the most believable characterisations of the evening. It made me wonder if this show would be better placed as a straight drama with music as background, as opposed to sung, which would give it the impact needed for a story with such heartfelt connotations.

In any event, you cannot fault the stamina and talent of this cast with some equally impressive supporting roles coming from Jamal Kane Crawford as Sergeant Foley, Sinéad Long playing Lynette and Wendi Harriet and Melanie Masson as the matriarchal factory girls, Aunt Bunny and Esther.

This production is long; Act 1 is 60 mins and Act 2 is 75 mins.  If you’re there for the tunes and cheese you won’t be disappointed. This Is a Man's Man's Man's World, Hearts of Fire, Blaze of Glory, I Want to Know What Love Is, Kids in America, Heart of Glass, and You're the Voice are just a handful of the many 80s songs that are sung in this production.  Personally I would have preferred to see this made with an original score which would perhaps give it more gravitas and emotional impact, but I guess that wouldn’t sell as many tickets.

An Officer and a Gentleman continues throughout the rest of the week

​TICKET INFORMATION
£20 - £62
A transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply to your order.
WHEN
Wed 17 - Sat 20 Jul 2024
2.30pm, 8pm
BSL Interpreted: Thu 18 Jul 2024 at 8.00pm

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
Below:  Some of the cast of An Officer and a Gentleman pose outside the Cliffs Pavilion on Tuesday
Photo Credit:  Kim Tobin Photography

Prepare to be swept off your feet - the Curve production of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL is returning to the UK! The show opens at The Alexandra, Birmingham, on 23 February 2024 booking through to 16 November 2024. Based on the 1982 film starring Richard Gere, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL has a book by Douglas Day Stewart & Sharleen Cooper Cohen and will be directed by Artistic Director of Curve, Nikolai Foster, with choreography by Joanna Goodwin.



AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL is based on the award-winning 80s movie which starred Richard Gere. This timeless story of love, courage, and redemption will make your heart soar and leave you breathless, longing for more. Be part of the emotional journey of Zack Mayo, a fearless young officer candidate, and the captivating Paula Pokrifki, whose fiery spirit matches his own. Their encounters ignite a spark that transcends boundaries, awakening a passionate love that defies all odds.

With every note, every step, and every heartfelt ballad, immerse yourself in this romantic masterpiece. Set to a smash-hit soundtrack featuring the songs of Madonna, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Blondie, and many more, the power of music will carry you through the highs and lows of their extraordinary love story, including the award-winning (Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong.  

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL invites you into a world where dreams and destinies intertwine. Don't miss your chance to experience this captivating romance brought to life on stage.

Director, Nikolai Foster said: “filled with love and quiet profundity, An Officer and a Gentleman sensitively charts the lives of working class, military folk in America in the early 1980s. We are proud to be working alongside the film’s creator Douglas Day Stewart, producer Jamie Wilson, Sharleen Cooper Cohen and an incredible creative team to present this beautiful and inspiring story. We are excited to share some iconic 80s songs and this moving story with audiences across the UK.”

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL UK Tour will have musical supervision and orchestration by George Dyer, set & costume design by Michael Taylor, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall, wig, hair and make up design by Sam Cox and casting by Debbie O’Brien. This Made at Curve production is produced by Jamie Wilson, Jack Maple, Gavin Kalin and Jason Haigh-Ellery in association with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros Theatre Ventures.

Website: officerandagentlemanthemusical.com   
Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter: @OfficerGentUK

2024 TOUR SCHEDULE


23 February – 2 March    Birmingham Alexandra
www.atgtickets.com/birmingham
    
5 – 9 March             Glasgow Kings Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

12 – 16 March            Belfast Grand Opera House                
www.goh.co.uk                    On sale soon

19 – 23 March            Llandudno Venue Cymru                01492 872000
                www.venuecymru.co.uk    

25 – 30 March            Bradford, Alhambra Theatre                01274 432000
                www.bradford-theatres.co.uk                On sale soon

1 – 6 April            London New Wimbledon Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon    

15 – 20 April            Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre
                www.wmc.org.uk

23 – 27 April            Brighton Theatre Royal
                www.atgtickets.com/brighton

30 April – 4 May        Manchester Opera House    
                www.atgtickets.com/manchester

6 – 11 May            Stoke Regent Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/regent-theatre

13 – 18 May            Newcastle Theatre Royal                0191 232 7010
                www.theatreroyal.co.uk                On sale soon

20 – 25 May            Dartford Orchard Theatre                01322 220000
                www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

27 May – 1 June        Oxford New Theatre
                www.atgtickets.com/oxford

4 – 8 June            York Grand Opera House
                www.atgtickets.com/york

17 – 22 June            Sheffield Lyceum                     0114 249 6000
                                               www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                On sale soon
        
25 – 29 June            Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre            02380 711811
                www.mayflower.org.uk
2 – 6 July            Torquay Princess Theatre
                www.atgtickets.com/torquay

9 – 13 July            Canterbury Marlowe                    01227 787787
                www.marlowetheatre.com
                
16 – 20 July            Southend Cliffs Pavilion
                www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk

22 – 27 July            Liverpool Empire Theatre
                www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

29 July – 3 August        Nottingham Theatre Royal                0115 989 5555               
                trch.co.uk

5 – 10 August            Woking New Victoria Theatre
                www.atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre 

12 – 17 August        Leicester Curve                    0116 242 3595
                www.curveonline.co.uk

20 – 24 August        Truro Hall for Cornwall                       01872 262466
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk                On sale soon
    
2 – 7 September        Bristol Hippodrome
                www.atgtickets.com/bristol

10 – 14 September        Ipswich Regent Theatre 
www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk                On sale soon

17 – 21 September        Eastbourne Congress                01323 412 000
                www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

23 – 28 September        Wolverhampton Grand                01902 429212
                                        www.grandtheatre.co.uk

30 September – 5 October    Blackpool Opera House
                www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

8 – 12 October        Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre            01224 641122
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com            On sale soon
                
21 – 26 October        Milton Keynes Theatre
                www.atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre

28 October – 2 November    Bromley Churchill Theatre                0343 310 0020
                www.churchilltheatre.co.uk                On sale soon

4 – 9 November        Hull New Theatre                    01482 300 306
                www.hulltheatres.co.uk

12 – 16 November        Carlisle Sands Centre                0333 33 55055
                www.thesandscentre.co.uk    

​

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