Review of Coram Boy at The Lowry by Natalie Anglesey

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL 

Hope this pic brings back memories of the movie we all loved. I was so excited to see it in Leeds at The Grand Theatre  and meet the cast as well as the man who wrote the original screenplay! Soon you'll be able to see it in Manchester as well as on tour! The world premiere production of An Officer and a Gentleman, plays at Manchester’s Opera House from Monday 13th – Saturday 18th August.

The great cast features four-time Olivier nominated actress Emma Williams (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mrs Henderson Presents, Half a Sixpence) as Paula Pokrifk. Exciting news too that Emma is getting married this very weekend- so congratulations to her! No she's not marrying  Jonny Fines (Annie, The Sound of Music, Avenue Q) as the iconic Zack Mayo, played in the movie by Richard Gere.Sorry girls hunky Jonny told me he's got a baby who has been keeping him awake at nights! Well l he will not have that problem when he's on tour but I'm sure he'll be keeping in touch with his little one.

There are good performances too from 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.

If you haven't already seen it 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. It's a must if you are going  to see it with a loved one but even better for a girl's night out a there's a bit of stripping- and that's only the boys!

 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 clever 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. 

As the song says Girls Just Want to have Fun! You can see it from  13th – 18th August  
Manchester Opera House   Box Office: 0844 871 3018 Website: www.atgtickets.com/Manchester

Lots more to tell you about what happened on the movie when I talk to the man who wrote the story! Look out for that!!