A much-loved film of the 80s, An Officer and a Gentleman has now been adapted into a dynamic and emotive touring musical which is quite literally sweeping audiences off their feet. 

A vibrant story of love, challenge and destiny, where four hearts entwine and fate takes over, An Officer And A Gentleman is a tale of dashing military officer in the making Zack Mayo who meets his match in feisty factory worker Paula Pokrifki - a girl who shows him that love just needs to be given a chance.

It is also the tale of another love story between Sid Worley and Lynette Pomeroy which started out so well but ended with a very different outcome.

Classic music from the 80s plays a large part in the production with the narrative unfolding on the factory floor where Paula and Lynette work and in the nightclubs where the action begins to take shape. It soon becomes clear that family connections and co-worker dynamics play an important part in the lives of both sets of young lovers and the social fabric of expectations and disappointments run throughout the musical making it very emotionally charged.

Luke Baker as Zack is outstanding in his portrayal of a tough young gun who desperately wants to succeed. Geogia Lennon who plays Paula is wonderfully engaging in her role as a factory girl with ambitions to become a nurse, and her mother, played by Melanie Masson, is also extremely well cast.

The calibre of performers in the choreographed routines and the quality of singing throughout is excellent. Paul French is particularly emotionally impressive as Worley and Jamal Kane Crawford who plays Sergeant Foley, is brilliant in his portrayal of a military trainer who takes no prisoners...

The language and social norms of the 80s film are truly depicted in the musical version and although seemingly outdated and stereotypical in 2024, they were clearly appreciated by the audience who gave a standing ovation at the end of the evening's performance.

An Officer and a Gentleman fits the bill for anyone who enjoys a powerful love story with gritty dialogue, an array of fabulous songs from the 80s, a creative stage set and good dose of nostalgia.

Four stars

Reviewed by Carol Lovatt at Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent on Monday 6 May. An Officer And A Gentleman continues to show at the venue until Saturday 11 May. The show returns to the Midlands in the autumn to play Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 September.