An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical is set to return to Manchester next year, as the production embarks on a UK tour.
The beloved romantic masterpiece, based on the 1982 film of the same name, will be at the Manchester Opera House in 2024.
The award-winning film starred Richard Gere in the lead role of Zack Mayo, a fearless young officer candidate beginning his military training when he meets Paula Pokrifki.
The pair fall madly in love, sparking a passion that transcends boundaries and defies all odds.
Filled with heartfelt ballads, An Officer and A Gentleman’s soundtrack features songs from Madonna, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Blondie and many more.
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The musical’s most famous song is the award-winning (Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong.
Director Nikolai Foster said: “Filled with love and quiet profundity, An Officer and a Gentleman sensitively charts the lives of working class, military folk in America in the early 1980s.
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“We are proud to be working alongside the film’s creator Douglas Day Stewart, producer Jamie Wilson, Sharleen Cooper Cohen and an incredible creative team to present this beautiful and inspiring story.
“We are excited to share some iconic 80s songs and this moving story with audiences across the UK.”
An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical UK tour will have musical supervision and orchestration by George Dyer, set and costume design by Michael Taylor, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall, wig, hair and make up design by Sam Cox and casting by Debbie O’Brien. This Made at Curve production is produced by Jamie Wilson, Jack Maple, Gavin Kalin and Jason Haigh-Ellery in association with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros Theatre Ventures.
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Tickets will go on general sale here from 10am on Friday 23 June, with early access from 11am on 22 June for TheatreCard members.
Based on the highly successful film of the same name, seen by more than 12 million people across five continents, and the recipient of over 80 awards internationally – including 10 Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards – Billy Elliot The Musical is heading back out on tour this year, and making its long-awaited return to one of Manchester‘s most legendary stages.
If you’re unfamiliar with the musical, the show is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike and follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.
Billy Elliot The Musical is returning to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
Since its debut on stage all the way back in 2006, the show has been massively acclaimed by audiences and critics alike – with 125 boys having now played the iconic title role on stage worldwide.
The upcoming Manchester production will be brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling, and of course, they’ll be joined by Elton John who composed the show’s score.
“Creating Billy Elliot the Musical was one of the most joyous and inspiring moments of our careers, so to bring the show back for a UK tour and a season in the West End for the first time in over a decade is both incredibly emotional and exciting,” commented Elton John and Stephen Daldry.
Tickets officially go on sale early next month / Credit: Supplied
“It’s bold, it’s British, it’s full of heart and the story feels more relevant than ever. We can’t wait for a whole new generation to experience it.”
Billy Elliot The Musical is taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from 2 December 2026 through to 9 January 2027, before it does a run in the West End shortly after, and tickets officially go on sale in early March.
Tickets go on sale to ATG+ members on Thursday 5 March at 10am, and general on sale begins on Monday 9 March at 10am here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Theatre
Smash-hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie to return to Manchester on 10th anniversary tour
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved musicals of the 21st century is set to return to Manchester on its 10th anniversary tour.
Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, two sold-out UK and Ireland Tours, and even an award-winning Amazon Studios film, the smash-hit musicalEverybody’s Talking About Jamie is returning for its 10th anniversary tour, and will be stopping off here in Manchester on one of our most legendary stages.
Set to open in Leeds a decade after the original opening at the Sheffield Crucible, Jamie will be ‘coming home again’ for what is said to be ‘possibly the last time’, as the show heads out to major cities across the UK.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the story of 16-year-old title character, Jamie, who lives on a council estate in Sheffield but doesn’t quite fit in and is terrified about the future, even though he wants to be a sensation.
Supported by his loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight.
With an original score of catchy pop tunes by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and writer Tom MacRae, the musical is said to be one the whole family should experience.
This new 10th anniversary addition of the show coming to Manchester even features a brand-new song to the already-beloved soundtrack.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be coming to Manchester Palace Theatre on 15 March 2027, and will also be visiting other northern cities on the tour like Leeds, Chester, Sunderland, Sheffield, and Liverpool, as well as other major cities nationwide.
Tickets officially go on sale this week, with presale at 10am this Thursday (5 February) for ATG+ Members and general sale at 10am on Friday 6 February.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd June 2023 
