An Officer and a Gentleman cast are put through their paces at Newcastle barracks

Cast members of An Officer and A Gentleman, running at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle this week, were put through their paces during a visit to city barracks.

The performers – including local talent Georgia Lennon who is from Hartlepool – might not have looked as if they were quite where they belonged at Fenham Army Barracks on Tuesday morning but they soon got to grips with the extra training to help them keep in shape for the musical set to launch that night. The show, which has its own military setting for the story of a blossoming romance between naval officer Zack and factory worker Paula, is inspired by the award-winning 1982 film starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger and, besides the movie’s famous title track Up Where We Belong, it packs in a whole load more songs.

Georgia plays Paula – the biggest break of her career since graduating in 2020 – and lots of her family will be making the most of the tour’s local stop-off to see her perform. In the run-up to opening night, she was joined at the city barracks by Luke Baker, who plays Zack, and fellow core cast members Olivia Foster-Browne and Paul French.

Kitted out in fatigues, they climbed on board army vehicles, learned about weaponry and were put through their paces by a drill sergeant. Second Lieutenant, 2 Troop Leader Christian Wright and Second Lieutenant Reuben James were on hand to give orders – and keep them in line.

All the exercise will no doubt help them keep fighting fit for the run of the show, which promises audiences a warm-hearted treat in a love story which also features hits by the likes of Madonna, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper and Blondie. An Officer and A Gentleman The Musical runs at the Theatre Royal until Saturday, May 18: see here.