An Officer And A Gentleman

Who can resist a man in uniform? Well if the audience reaction to the opening night of An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne is anything to go by, the answer is no-one.

Inspired by the 1982 movie that made stars of Richard Gere and Debra Winger, the story follows a group of recruits to the US Naval Aviation Training Facility all hoping to get their wings after completing a gruelling 12 week course.

Our hero, Zack Mayo (Luke Baker) and best friend, Sid (Paul French) meet and fall in love with local best friends, Paula Pokrifki (Georgia Lennon) and Lynette Pomeroy (a superb performance from understudy, Julia Jones).   As always, the course of true love is not smooth and there are dark and poignant moments ahead before the famous happy ending.

The song list is packed full of 80s classics, performed by a vocally talented cast.

Act 1 sets the scene and has a few standout moments but it is the opening number of Act 2, ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ that takes the energy up to 10 and rarely lets it drop before the glorious ‘Up Where We Belong’.

The set has an industrial feel that draws you in, given added effect by great lighting and sound.

A special nod to Melanie Masson and Wendi Harriott as Esther Pokrifki and Aunt Bunny who certainly prove that fun is not just for the girls.

Cliff Harris

17 September

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

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