The cast of the world premiere musical An Officer and a Gentleman has been revealed and it features a wealth of West End talent.

The production will come to Mayflower Theatre from 1-5 May this year.

Four-time Laurence Olivier Award-nominee Emma Williams plays Paula. She’s appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mrs Henderson Presents and Love Story.

Jonny Fines takes on the role of Zack, made famous in the film by Richard Gere. He recently played Rooster in Annie and his other theatre credits include UK tours of The Sound of Music and Avenue Q.

Ray Shell, playing Foley, is probably most known for creating the roles of Rusty in Starlight Express and Nomax in Five Guys Named Moe. His other theatre credits include Miss Saigon and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Ian McIntosh, playing Sid, was nominated for an Olivier for his role in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. His other credits include The Commitments and Rock of Ages.

Jessica Daley was a finalist on BBC One’s Over The Rainbow and has appeared in Mamma Mia plus the UK tour of The Sound of Music.

Nikolai Foster, Artistic Director of Curve and Director of ‘An Officer and Gentleman – The Musical’ told the Echo: “Douglas Day Stewart wrote An Officer and a Gentleman in response to his time serving in the American Air Force and the challenges he faced during training. It is a visceral, uncompromising and ultimately tender portrait of the these personal experiences and the lives of folk living near the training facility in the early 1980s.

“We are proud to have assembled such an accomplished company of actors, led by Emma, Ray, Jonny, Ian and Jess to create our production and realise this beautiful portrait of working class lives. All of us at Curve are excited to tell this story - set to a fantastic 80s playlist - and to be working with the talented team at Jamie Wilson Productions. Productions like this couldn’t be made without the support of our collaborators and we are thrilled to be working with Jamie and his team. Officer will certainly be a memorable moment in our theatre's 10th birthday year."

This brand-new musical is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere which tells the story of Zack Mayo who is in training to become a US Navy Pilot. When Zack rolls into boot camp with a bit too much of a swagger, drill Sergeant Foley doesn’t make life easy for him. When he falls for local girl Paula Pokrifki and tragedy befalls his friend and fellow candidate, Zack realises the importance of love and friendship and finds the courage to be himself and win the heart of the woman he loves. It’s only then he can truly become both an Officer and a Gentleman.

The musical includes the hit song from the movie ‘Up Where We Belong’ along, with 80’s classics such as ‘Alone’, ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’, ‘You’re the Voice’, ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, ‘Heart of Glass’, ‘Toy Soldiers’ and ‘Material Girl’ and features one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen.

Tickets for An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical (Tuesday 1 – 5 May 2018) via Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 02380 711833