Officer and a Gentleman star swept off her feet every night

So being part of a stage production of An Officer and a Gentleman the Musical certainly comes with a fair amount of responsibility.

But for Georgia Lennon, who plays Paula Pokrifiki - the Debra Winger role - it’s an absolute treat.

The show comes to Manchester Opera House on Tuesday as part of a UK tour. It is also at Blackpool Opera House from October 1.

“I don’t think anything I do in future will compare to that feeling when we hit the end of the show and everyone starts screaming and they are up on their feet when they see Luke - Luke Baker who plays fledgling navy pilot Zack Mayo - appear at the top of the factory and comes down for that iconic scene,” said Georgia.

“It’s the most memorable experiences and it is happening night after night wherever we are in the country. It’s magical.”

Following the story of the movie, the musical tells of the love story that develops between troubled, would-be pilot and the feisty factory worker who wants a better life.

It is underpinned by a score featuring some of the biggest pop anthems from the Eighties.

“The film is a cult classic and many people who come to the show are expecting certain marks to be hit especially that moment at the end. If that wasn’t in it I don’t think people would be very happy,” laughed Georgia.

“But it’s a show that totally lives up to what everyone loves and knows of the original film. Then we’ve just added an enormous 80s soundtrack to it which makes it super fun.”

Given that the original movie was released in 1982, Georgia had not seen it until an audition for the musical loomed.

“I like to do my research before I go in for any role,” she said, “so that was at the top of my list. I watched it the night before the audition and as soon as I got to the end I felt it was a project I wanted to be involved in so much. It’s such an amazing film so to be part of it on stage is a real honour.”

Paula is not the typical leading lady in a musical.

“She’s feisty and quite spiky which is what I love about her,” said Georgia. “She is so strong willed and knows what she wants. It struck me that she really is representative of that whole girl power thing. In today’s social climate that’s such an important message to be able to tell all audiences, especially younger audiences.”

And Georgia believes that the show really does cater to different audiences.

“There’s those that know and love the film who come expecting to see that cult classic,” she said. “Then there’s people who just want to be transported back to the 80s with the soundtrack. And then you have the younger audience who are listening to those modern messages even though it is set in 80s.

“There is something for everyone and it’s also a really good night out.”

So is Georgia anything like her character?

“I think I’m also pretty strong willed,” she said, “I’ve always had my goals in front of me and been very clear on what I want to do, especially career wise.

“I remember my mum saying that when I was young we went to watch The Sound of Music at the Palladium and as all the kids marched on to the stage, I tapped her on the shoulder and said ‘that’s what I want to do when I’m older’. I was only about eight at the time.

“There are other similarities too. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart and Paula has that within her too.”

The soundtrack to the musical features many 80s classics.

“I think my favourite is that I get to sing Alone by Heart,” said Georgia. “But there are so many - Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi, Madonna. It’s brilliant.”

Georgia was cast in An Officer and a Gentlemen after being part of The Osmonds Musical based on the hugely successful musical family. She played Marie Osmond in the world premiere tour.

“The Osmonds was my first major tour and Marie was a smaller role to that of Paula,” she said. “It really helped me to find my feet and understand touring life.

“You gradually get used to the pace of it all so that when I jumped into a bigger role it’s felt a lot easier and more slick.

“I can stay at accommodation I liked last time, I know the theatres, I know what to expect backstage and the set up. I had the most amazing time on The Osmonds. It taught me an awful lot about touring life.

“Some people hate it but I love the excitement of arriving at a new venue every week. You never know what you are going to get with an audience and you get to explore the town or city for a little bit. I like that jumping around and experiencing new things.”

In The Osmonds, Georgia got the chance to keep in touch with her country music roots.

“I love country music,” she said. “I’m part of a duo One Trick Pony and we have played a country festival and done some gigs but it has all been put on hold while I’m touring.

“But I’d love to have it at a stage where it can run alongside my stage career.”

Speaking of which, does Georgia have a dream role?

“I used to have certain ones,” she said, “but now there are so many different roles I’d like to play.

“I’d love to be Mary Poppins or because I’m classically trained, possibly Christine in Phantom or Glynda in Wicked. But I love to champion new work too. There are loads of potential opportunity out there – I find that so exciting.”

An Officer and a Gentleman the Musical, Manchester Opera House, April 30 to May 4 (details from www.atgtickets.com) and Blackpool Opera House, October 1 to October 5