Cardiff is busy “Taking bets on who gets jets” as this musical tribute to 80’s culture plays on the Donald Gordon Theatre stage in Wales Millennium Centre this April.
An Officer and a Gentleman is a Jukebox musical adaptation of the classic 1982 film of the same name. The story follows the journey of Zack Mayo and other recruits as they enlists in the U.S. Navy to become Officers with the hope that one day they will be flying jets.
We see the potential Officers hit the local bar, where the set becomes lit by neon signs and we see young woman looking to escape their factory jobs by being whisked away by a man in uniform. This is where Zack meets Paula, a tough and independent woman who challenges him to confront his inner demons and become the man he is meant to be.
This musical explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption against the backdrop of a rigorous training program that pushes Zack and his fellow recruits to their limits. The ringing of the bell indicates each time a recruit gives up and leaves and the bell feels more and more symbolic as the story develops.
The soundtrack to this musical is all things 80’s. With bangers like living on a prayer, Girls Just Wanna Have fun and The Final Countdown, you will constantly feel your toes tapping along. There are glimmers of Full Monty style moves, there are dramatic back-lit slow-mo walking moments with plenty of funny parts and lots of cheesiness thrown in for good measure.
Although Zack is the lead male character, I found it hard to not fall in love with Sid Worley, played by Paul French. His final few scenes in Act two brought a different dimension to the show and one that was most certainly welcomed. The females in the cast gave some of the best vocal performances and although some songs felt slightly shoehorned in to the story, there was not one that I wasn’t glad to hear.
I really enjoyed the reference to US Military Cadence so on that note;
I DON’T KNOW BUT I’VE BEEN TOLD (I don’t know, but I’ve been told)
THE UNIFORMS ARE A SIGHT TO BEHOLD (The uniforms are a sight to behold)
I DON’T KNOW BUT ITS BEEN SAID (I don’t know, but it’s been said)
ALL THE SONGS WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR HEAD (All the songs will get stuck in your head)
An Officer And A Gentleman is on from the 15th to the 20th of April
