It’s really hard to take an iconic movie and adapt it for stage because it’s likely you will offend someone!
But we absolutely loved an An Officer and a Gentleman, now playing at Oxford’s New Theatre until Saturday 1st June , and so did the rest of the audience who gave the cast a standing ovation.
Based on the hit movie starring Richard Gere, An Officer and a Gentleman is the love story of officer candidate Zack Mayo and factory worker Paula Pokrifki. Set to a fantastic 1980s soundtrack; this is an uplifting story of grit and determination and of course that wonderful love story.
Yes there was also a dark side, the show tackles grief, suicide and the realities of dead-end life for working class people in Pensacola, Florida, in the early 80s. But for us it was an uplifting and joyous production and we left the auditorium with smiles on our faces.
The show open with Status Quo’s classic tune We are in the Army Now- obviously adapted for the Navy, and we were introduced to newest officer-candidate recruits who were about to start their 12 weeks’ training. Sid Worley (Paul French), Eduardo Cortez (Lucas Piquero), Louis Perryman (Chris Breistein) and Casey Seegar (Olivia Foster-Browne) who we were really rooting for!
The newbies were overseen by Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (played by Jamal Kane Crawford) who was really good! We loved his tough talking and those fantastic nicknames he gave them all. Our little corner couldn’t stop sniggering at Zack Mayo’s nickname – Mayonnaise! He had some great one-liners as only a Drill Instructor can – “wear your raincoats” was his message when the recruits were allowed out of base for some R&R for the first time in three weeks!
Zack (played by Luke Baker) started his training as a selfish, cocky, hustler, who grew into man ready to take on the responsibilities of the role. We particularly liked his motorbike – the sound/action timing was perfect!
Zack and Paula (Georgia Lennon) had great chemistry and we really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve. And then that moment – enshrined in movie history – when Zack comes to the factory and sweeps Paula off her feet and away they go! The audience went crazy with claps, whoops and cheers.
Paula’s mum Esther (Melanie Masson) and her bestie aunt Bunny (Wendi Harriott) were hilarious. We loved their tunes, their friendship and their struggles with mid-life – and let us tell you those ladies had some powerful voices.
Do look out for the fight scene between the Gunner Sergeant and Zack – it was really cool!
This production was filled with great dancing, singing and the tunes kept coming – It’s a Man’s World, Hearts on Fire, Material Girl, St Elmo’s Fire, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and so much more. Catch it at the New Theatre, Oxford, until Saturday. For tickets view https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/an-officer-and-a-gentleman-the-musical/new-theatre-oxford/
