Review: AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, Edinburgh Playhouse
Set in the 1980's An Officer and a Gentleman is a brand-new musical based on the Oscar-winning movie of the same name. We meet Zack Mayo (Jonny Fines) as he is about to embark on a 12-week naval officer programme.
The training for the Navy air programme is intense and not everybody is going to make it. Mayo watches as friends of his struggle and eventually drop out. During his training Mayo meets and falls for Paula Pokrifki a local factory worker who sees beyond his tough guy image. The sergeant has warned the candidates that there are girls in the town who are known for trying to ensnare a potential pilot and trap them with a pregnancy.
The songs featured are familiar chart hits from the 1980's. Something feels a little lacking in Act One but the pace picks up in Act Two with the likes of "Living On A Prayer", "Alone", "Family Man" and of course, "Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong". Emma Williams (Paula) is always a delight to watch perform and alongside Ian McIntosh as Sid they provide the show-stopping vocals of the production.
The staging is quite dreary and reflects how bare the naval base is and how little potential working in the factory has. The backdrop has screens which are used with great effect to show some of the drills that the trainees have to go through close up- but without any risk to the actors!
An Officer And A Gentleman isn't the kind of musical that will change the world - but it isn't pretending to be. Sometimes a good jukebox musical with a decent storyline, terrific cast and impressive staging is just what an audience wants. This was clear from the full house standing ovation at the end. Also, I challenge anybody not to be moved by the iconic final scene!
An Officer And A Gentleman is at the Edinburgh Playhouse until Saturday 7th July.
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