This is our review of An Officer And A Gentleman – The Musical at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre!
Synopsis Of An Officer And A Gentleman – The Musical
Welcome back to the 1980s, and to the story of Zack Mayo (Luke Baker). His journey towards becoming an officer, and a potential fighter jet pilot, is not without its challenges. Not least Zack overcoming the trauma of his past, which included seeing his mother pass away at a young age. But there are positives as well, not least his budding romance with Paula Pokrifki (Georgia Lennon).
Zack isn’t alone, though. Sid Worley (Paul French) and Casey Seegar (Olivia Foster-Browne) are amongst the other would-be officers. Each has their own personal trials and tribulations, some instigated by the hard-as-nails Sergeant Emil Foley (Lukin Simmonds). Given the circumstances, will our heroes achieve their career goals, and can their romances succeed as well? Or will we see unforeseen setbacks that change their lives forever?
Analysis Of An Officer And A Gentleman – The Musical
This is a show that has numerous intertwining stories. The backbone of the show concerns the career progression of Zack, Sid, Casey, and others. But for the guys, their romances are just as prevalent, and at times overshadow their professional achievements. It’s intriguing and unpredictable to see the twists and turns. But if you’ve seen the original movie, you know how it ends, and the finale definitely satisfies the audience.
The background effects are superb, especially the lighting of a fighter jet that we see throughout the evening. Furthermore, the show has a great collection of ’80s hits as its soundtrack, though few are from the movie itself. But who is gonna complain about a show that features Bon Jovi, Blondie, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and others? But the acting stood out the most to me; Luke Baker, Paul French, and Olivia Foster-Browne are brilliant in their roles. A special mention too to both Lukin Simmonds and Olivia Foster-Browne who are very believable despite having contrasting characters.
Summary Of An Officer And A Gentleman – The Musical
This is absolutely worth seeing for everything from the storytelling to the songs to the acting. In some respects, the show has it all; it feels big-time, and every crucial element is of a high standard. And as noted, the cast is terrific too. Whether you’ve seen the film or not, you must make plans to watch this show live in Liverpool.
