Review: An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal
We fell in love with An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical starring local talent when it made a flying visit to Newcastle Theatre Royal
Thanks to an ‘80s-loving auntie I’ve always been a fan of Richard Gere and just the mention of his name has (Love Lifts Us) Up Where We Belong stuck in my head, so I was intrigued to see how the award-winning 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman has been adapted into a musical.
The story follows young officer candidate Zack Mayo (that’s Richard Gere in the movie) and Paula Pokrifki (who is played by the super talented Hartlepool-born actress Georgia Lennon in this tour). Their encounters ignite a spark but their journey to love isn’t an easy one.
This show had already proved popular with Newcastle Theatre Royal audiences when it visited as part of its first ever UK tour in 2018 so we have high hopes, and we’re delighted by how closely the play follows the film’s script and its characters. From the moment the lights dim and the show begins, with the instantly recognisable notes of (Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong, we know we’re in for a treat.
Music is used cleverly throughout the production. The soundtrack is somewhat of an ‘80s jukebox with the cast belting out numbers such as Mike Oldfield’s Family Man and It’s a Man’s Man’s World by James Brown. Add to that Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer. Big thumbs up from us (and many of the audience members around us, who are clearly trying to refrain from singing along!). But although it’s almost unnoticeable, there’s a soft underscore playing throughout the majority of the scenes. I find myself playing a game of ‘guess that song’ in my head throughout. This works with great effect when it comes to the most emotional scenes. When Zack is telling Paula about his childhood and his mum’s death, his long pauses leave behind heart-wrenching silences in the theatre. This is again poignant in Sid’s sensitively portrayed suicide scene (with a lot of dialogue taking place off-stage for this).
The smart and striking set is a clever way of creating height and levels on Newcastle Theatre Royal’s stage. While beds, bars, Zack’s motorbike, chairs and apparatus are transported on and off stage a tall metal staircase is seamlessly used throughout. It’s clear that each and every cast member is more than fit enough to perform energetically whilst making use of this, but special recognition should go to Leeds’s Luke Baker (playing Zack). It can’t be easy to sing whist throwing yourself into pull-ups and push-ups (and a very impressive fight scene) all whilst remaining convincingly determined and heart-broken, in an American accent. Georgia Lennon as Paula has a fantastic and very unusual voice which is showcased in her solo. She’s described Paula as her ‘dream role’ and her passion for her performance really shines through.
Special attention to detail has been made in the costumes, particularly the iconic white officer uniforms, and for an authentic military look the cast members have had their heads shaved. It’s these details and the fact it retains key lines from the film script that we admire most about this production, but the added snippets of humour in appropriate scenes make it a real joy to watch.
The play comes to an end with the classic ‘(Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong’ moment – it’s what we’ve all been waiting for, and it’s just as romantic as in the film. Soon enough the audience are on their feet with extra loud cheers and applause for Luke and Georgia.
You don’t have to be a hopeless romantic to enjoy this production, but you do have to love ‘80s classics!
An Officer and a Gentleman plays Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday 18th May 2024. Tickets can be purchased at theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.
