An Officer and a Gentleman – Hull New Theatre

An Officer and a Gentleman the Musical got off to a delayed start on Monday evening with a voice emanating from the nether regions of the Hull New Theatre stage, informing us that “due to unforeseen circumstances the show will now start at 8pm”.

We’d all taken our seats ready for curtain up at 7.30pm, so 30-minute delay sort of dimmed or excitement. No matter, I just hoped the show was worth waiting for.

It most definitely was, so that delay I mentally grumbled about, was very soon forgotten.

I had seen the movie (of the same name) upon which this musical is based, way back on its UK release in 1983, and could only remember its star, Richard Gere, resplendent in white naval uniform, doing something so breathtakingly romantic that the scene has stayed with me all these years later.

Romance is far from being in the air at the start of this musical, as we see new recruits being put through their paces during a training programme to become Navy aviation officers.

Dishing out the insults and physical punishments is Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (Chris Breistein) who seems to take a particular dislike to Zack Mayo (Luke Baker) and the only female on the course, Casey Seegar (Olivia Foster-Browne). Other recruits fared only slightly better – Eduardo Cortez (Danny Whelan), Hooper (Sam Stones), and admiral’s son Sid Worley (Paul French).

How they didn’t thump him, I do not know.

The training was gruelling, and the stage setting reflected that – grey metal gates, fences and stairs   were only occasionally softened by neon signs of a motel, a palm tree and so on.

Costumes featured factory work clothes of checked shirts, dungarees etc; the recruits in white tops, grey sweatpants and navy tracksuits, emerged like butterflies from their chrysalis cases when they donned their white naval uniforms.

Colourful clothes were kept to a minimum – although factory girl Lynette Pomeroy (Sinead Long) stood out in her shocking pink leather mini skirt as did her co-worker Paula Pokrifki (Georgia Lennon) in a bright red dress at the show’s end.

It’s Paula’s on/off love affair with Mayo that keeps us guessing until last minute.

Lynette has her own fling, with Worley, which doesn’t end well for one of them.

Fighting the most demons is Mayo whose booze-riddled father Byron (Tim Rogers) is also in the Navy but hasn’t been a dad to his son since Mayo was 12-years-old.

Mayo’s struggle and determination to become an officer, despite all the odds, is absorbing to watch – I counted him doing 37 “punishment” press-ups in one scene alone.

There is historical mistrust by recruits who are warned that the nearby factory girls will strive to get pregnant by them in order to better their lives. And one girl nearly succeeds in her mission, with tragic consequences.

All the above is accompanied by fantastic music played live, featuring sing-along hits by the likes of Madonna, Bon Jovi, Blondie and Cyndi Lauper, ending with the unforgettable (Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong.

This energetic and very talented cast ensured there wasn’t a dull or boring second in this production.

All singing voices were extraordinary and very loud and clear especially from the above four love interests, as well as the strong, tuneful voices that boomed out from Melanie Masson as Paula’s mother, Esther, and Wendi Harriott as Aunt Bunny.

An Officer and a Gentleman wasn’t a sell-out on the night, but the crowds who were there made sure the cast left the stage with the cheers and applause from a standing ovation ringing in their ears.

Running until Saturday, November 9th, 2024; 7.30pm nightly with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday, 7th and Saturday, 9th. Tickets cost from £20. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Reviewer: Jackie Foottit

Reviewed: 4th November 2024

North West End UK Rating: