One of the most romantic movies of the 1980’s comes to the stage in a crowd pleasing jukebox musical version.
An Officer and a Gentleman is currently playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
The original film, which was released in 1982, made stars of lead actors Richard Gere and Debra Winger. The movie cost just over $6 million and went on to earn nearly $200 million at the box office, and during awards season the movie scooped up the Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy and the BAFTA for Best Original Song.
That multi award-winning song is at the heart of this electrifying Curve Theatre production. “Up Where We Belong” rubs shoulders with a number of 1980’s tracks that have become landmark songs that define the era from artists such as Madonna, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper and Blondie.
Classic tunes such as Girls Just Want to Have Fun, When the Going Gets Tough, Heart of Glass, It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World, Kids in America, I Want to Know What Love Is, Livin’ on a Prayer, The Final Countdown and Material Girl weave in and out throughout the show as the tale unfolds.
This rollicking and rolling stage show gives a whole new meaning to the term 'jukebox musical'.
The show follows the main threads of the movie’s story which was inspired by scriptwriter Douglas Day Stewart’s own naval experience. Stewart co-writes the book of the musical with Sharleen Cooper Cohen and they keep the key elements that made the film so memorable and timeless. The show does not gloss over the sacrifices and darkness that bubbles beneath the surface of the story.
The gritty themes of the film, which deals with complex and serious issues such as suicide and misogyny, are retained in the show which results in making this night at the theatre more than just a romp through a back catalogue of 1980’s pop and rock tunes. The romantic ups and downs of Zack, a naval officer cadet who nurses the wounds of a troubled childhood where trust was nonexistent, and Paula, a factory girl from the poor part of town who dreams of escaping her dreary life by marrying an officer and flying off to an exotic faraway base, forms the core of the plot which also explores the meaning of true friendship, true respect and true romance. The main characters all go through transformation and learn about life and love.
It’s almost impossible to erase the blistering performances of Richard Gere and Debra Winger but Luke Baker and Julia Jones (the understudy on press night) share a sparkling chemistry as Zack and Paula and their passion is convincing and full of emotion.
Jamal Kane Crawford takes on the hard-as-nails role of Foley, the fiery drill sergeant, and his performance is right up there with the gritty Louis Gossett Jr. who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the film version. Foley is always present in the scenes even when the character is off-stage. The energy that Crawford transmits is palpable and it charges the atmosphere. His fast-as-a-bullet monologues and sharp orders, including merciless wisecracks, whizz and fly around the barracks to terrify, intimidate and bully the new naval officer recruits into submission.
Director Nikolai Foster keeps the action and dance numbers moving at a brisk pace to ensure no tedium is allowed to creep in and slow down the thrilling pace of the show.
The energetic choreography by Joanna Goodwin also keeps the show’s momentum pumping along with moves and body rhythms that are sexy, sweaty and full of earthy romance.
Goodwin makes excellent use of Michael Taylor’s set and costume designs which celebrates the sensual colours and clean sharp lines of the naval uniforms in this vibrant production.
Ben Cracknell’s lighting adds an atmospheric edge to the various scenes of the show, and there are times when the lighting is so kinetic that the stage seems to morph into an Imax theatre.
For those of a certain age this show will fly by like a hyperkinetic trip down memory lane, and for those who are newcomers to the show and have never seen the landmark Hollywood film this show will unlock an Aladdin’s cave of entertainment that is full of incredible and timeless music which is sewn into a romantic show that rocks the stage with sizzling dancing.
An Officer and a Gentleman will sweep you off your feet for a night of high flying romance.
Verdict: ★★★★★
An Officer and a Gentleman is now playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 28th September
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