Do you like to swoon over a good old-fashioned romance tale? Do you enjoy seeing rough diamonds cut and polished? And do you love a throwback to some 80s pop classics?

If so, An Officer and a Gentleman might just be your two-hour dream ticket.

On at the Alhambra theatre up to and including Saturday night, this musical version of the Hollywood classic, starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger, ticks so many boxes, and not just for those who grew up in that 80s era, like my mum - my companion last night.

The standout performer was Jamal Kane Crawford as supremely strict Gunner Sergeant Emil Foley, who played his character with a menacing relish.

Terrifying enough to be believable, but bashful enough to make him someone you can still somehow root for.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Two hours of the brilliant Jamal Kane Crawford as Gunner Sergeant Emil Foley in every scene would have been perfectly fine for me.Two hours of the brilliant Jamal Kane Crawford as Gunner Sergeant Emil Foley in every scene would have been perfectly fine for me. (Image: Marc Brenner.)

A love story fails without chemistry between its main leads, which fortunately Luke Baker, as titular character Zack Mayo, and Georgia Lennon, as hard-working factory girl Paula Pokrifki, had in abundance.

The pair felt like a real-life couple, whether it be in a romantic, emotional, or mundane setting.

Credit too to Paul French and Sinead Long as our secondary couple Sid Worley and Lynette Pomeroy, who managed the transition of their love story from a fun fling to super serious with aplomb.

Even when Long was forced to withdraw from the rest of last night’s show with illness three-quarters of the way through, the brilliant Etisyai Philip stepped in to portray some of Lynette’s most dramatic scenes without missing a beat.

Aside from the main female duo Paula and Lynette, Olivia Foster-Browne also produces a star turn as the unbreakable Casey Seegar - cruelly dubbed 'Ghetto Girl' by Foley.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Casey Seegar, played by Olivia Foster-Browne, has her work cut out to prove the doubters wrong.Casey Seegar, played by Olivia Foster-Browne, has her work cut out to prove the doubters wrong. (Image: Marc Brenner.)

Those who have seen and loved the original 1982 film (my mum) will be pleased to hear an Officer and a Gentlemen sticks faithfully to the emotional rollercoaster plot that saw it nominated for six Oscars, winning two.

And for those who have not seen the original (me), prepare for a story that, to paraphrase the iconic soundtrack from a similar 80s film, will take your breath away.

The musical numbers were outstanding, and from Blondie to Bon Jovi, and Madonna to Martika, it was impossible not to be transported back in time to the pubs and clubs of 35 to 40 years ago.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The musical numbers were delivered in a high-energy, high-action, high standard of singing, fashion The musical numbers were delivered in a high-energy, high-action, high standard of singing, fashion (Image: Marc Brenner.)

A minor gripe is that some American accents were delivered better than others, but that is purely me nit-picking.

Strap on your jets and fly down to the Alhambra*, you don’t want to miss the (US Navy) boat on this one.

*Bonus tip: check out the excellent food (Indian mini savouries anyone?) and first-class service on the top floor of the Alhambra at Restaurant 1914 before the show, the perfect starter to your on-stage main course.