A heart-warming musical based on a 1980s romance is set to lift audiences up as it tours the country.

An Officer and a Gentleman is currently sweeping fans off their feet on its national tour, including six nights in Canterbury.

The show, which made its world debut at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney in 2012, will be familiar to those who grew up in the ‘80s and remember the blockbuster film.

The box office smash became the third-highest-grossing film of 1982 and won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Song.

It starred screen heartthrob Richard Gere and leading lady Debra Winger and was directed by Taylor Hackford.

“Because of the film’s iconic ending, I think a lot of people associate [An Officer and a Gentleman] with being a cheesy ‘80s romcom,” says director Nikolai Foster. “Of course, there's nothing wrong with a cheesy ‘80s romcom - and we offer some tasteful cheesy choices in our production - but audiences will be surprised by the depth of this story and how moving the show is.

“It is genuinely uplifting because we invest in the lives of these characters and care about them.”

The musical, like the film, follows Zack Mayo, a young United States Navy officer who, with the help of his firey new girlfriend Paula Pokrifki and father figure Sergeant Foley, must complete his gruelling training regime to achieve his dreams.

The latest production, which was adapted from the original 2012 musical into its current version in 2018, features a soundtrack of ‘80s anthems including Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Material Girl, Toy Soldiers and the award-winning Up Where We Belong.

“Alongside original screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart, we have worked with Sharleen Cooper Cohen and the team at Jamie Wilson Productions to take the film from screen to stage,” adds Nikolai. “It’s been an exhilarating ride for all of us - almost as exciting as taking off in a fighter jet!

“It has been a fantastic adventure, developing the script and thrashing out the play’s structure over a series of workshops, readings, rehearsals and a short tour in 2018, with many thanks to all of the actors and stage managers who supported this process.”

An Officer and a Gentleman will be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Monday, July 8 to Saturday, July 13. You can book tickets here.

You can also book tickets by calling 01227 787787.