Photo Flash: First Look at the World Premiere of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

Images have been released offering a first look at the world premiere production of An Officer and a Gentleman, which plays at Manchester's Opera House from Monday 13th - Saturday 18th August as part of its UK and Ireland tour.

Directed by Nikolai Foster with choreography from Kate Prince, the cast features four-time Olivier nominated actress Emma Williams (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mrs Henderson Presents, Half a Sixpence) as Paula Pokrifki, Jonny Fines (Annie, The Sound of Music, Avenue Q) as the iconic Zack Mayo, Ray Shell (Starlight Express,Five Guys Named Moe) as Foley, Ian McIntosh (Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, The Commitments) as Sid Worley and Jessica Daley (BBC One's Over the Rainbow, MAMMA MIA!) as Lynette Pomeroy.

The cast also includes Keisha Atwell, Andy Barke, Darren Bennett, James Darch, Nathanael Landskroner, George Ioannides, Joe Maxwell, Corinna Powlesland, Rachel Stanley, Michael James Stewart, Maisey Bawden, David Burrows, Vanessa Fisher, Aimee Hodnett, Keiran McGinn and Rhys Whitfield.

This brand-new musical is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere which tells the story of Zack Mayo who is in training to become a US Navy Pilot. When Zack rolls into boot camp with a bit too much of a swagger, drill Sergeant Foley doesn't make life easy for him. When he falls for local girl Paula Pokrifki and tragedy befalls his friend and fellow candidate, Zack realises the importance of love and friendship and finds the courage to be himself and win the heart of the woman he loves. It's only then he can truly become both an Officer and a Gentleman.

The musical includes the hit song from the movie Up Where We Belong along, with 80's classics such as Alone, Don't Cry Out Loud, You're the Voice, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Heart of Glass, Toy Soldiers and Material Girl and one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen.

An Officer and a Gentleman is one of the highest grossing films of all time. The screenplay is by writer and director Douglas Day Stewart which was based on his personal experience as a Naval Officer Candidate. The book is co-written by Douglas and Sharleen Cooper Cohen. It is directed by Curve's Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Annie, What the Butler Saw, Calamity Jane and Sunset Boulevard), choreographed by Kate Prince (Old Vic Associate Artist, Everyone's Talking About Jamie,Into the Hoods and ZooNation), has Musical Supervision by Tony Award-winning Sarah Travis (Curve Associate Artist, Sweeney Todd, Sister Act) with Set and Costume Design by Olivier Award-nominated designer Michael Taylor (The Winslow Boy, Scrooge The Musical at Curve, The Dresser). Orchestrations are by George Dyer, Lighting Design is by Ben Cracknell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Video Design by Douglas O'Connell.

An Officer and a Gentleman plays at the Opera House, Manchester from Monday 13th - Saturday 18th August and tickets are on sale now at www.atgtickets.com/Manchester.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan