An Officer and a Gentleman Milton Keynes Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Amanda Dando
An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical arrived at Milton Keynes Theatre tonight. Milton Keynes Theatre is surrounded by plenty of parking, and lots of choices if you want to grab food and a drink pre show. The theatre was very busy and there was an excited buzz as we took to our seats. It was good to see young and old in the audience, if your old like me the old films are the best and the original movie with the gorgeous Richard Gere is one of my all time favourites, so I was excited to see what they would do with it on the stage.
The set is minimal but it works with the story. Is it a love story? It is to me, but it’s also a journey for many of the main characters, a journey of grit and determination to get where you want in life, you have to make sacrifices to get there. It’s a story I won’t spoil but central in the story is Zack Mayo played by Luke Baker, I warn you now, hot stuff alert! Zack meets Paula played by Georgia Lennon when he signs up for officer training. Both Luke and Georgia have incredible voices, and certainly had a chemistry between them, that totally had you believe they were very into each other.
The musical is set to a cracking soundtrack from the 80s, which the cast use the lyrics to express their feelings. There were so many that were good, but ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, ‘I am a Woman’, ‘Toy Soldiers’ and ‘In the Navy Now’ were probably my favourites. The whole cast are phenomenal, the dancing and choreography outstanding, coupled with great performances, you couldn’t take your eyes off the stage. Of course the men in white uniforms were very pleasing on the eye, and there was some quite sexy moves at times.
Standout performances from Sinead Long who played Lynette Pomeroy, what a voice, absolutely fantastic, although Melanie Masson who played Paula’s mum, just wow! What a voice, she was beyond good, and her performances with Wendi Harriet who played Aunt Bunny were nothing short of amazing.
The whole cast were brilliant, but it wouldn’t be fair not to mention Jamal Kane Crawford who played Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley. He was so close to the original performance by Louis Gossett Jr. His stage presence, the cheeky grins, he loved every moment up there putting the recruits through their paces. It’s a character who you love to hate, but realise they are being how they are to help you get where you need to be. The musical sticks pretty much to the original story, and you are completely drawn into the stories that are being played out.
You will not be disappointed when the end is near and the famous tune begins … ‘Up Where we Belong’, I have long held onto the dream that someone dressed in a white navy uniform would come and sweep me off my feet, and for one night only, I certainly felt like I had been. It’s a great night out, grab your tickets while you can.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £13.00 subject to a transaction fee of £3.80
An Officer and a Gentleman is at Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday 21 – Saturday 26 October 2024, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com or call the Box Office on 0800 912 6971
Milton Keynes Theatre 500 Marlborough Gate, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ