Theatre Review: Dreamboats and Petticoats - New Wimbledon Theatre ✭✭✭✭
Dreamboats and Petticoats
New Wimbledon Theatre
Monday 29th July: Jukebox musicals are becoming all the more common and 'Dreamboats and Petticoats' is a tribute to the rock n' roll hits of the early 1960s. Popular hits such as 'Do You Wanna Dance' and 'Teenager in Love' are woven into a story of teen heartbreak and romance.
Essex teenager Bobby (Stephen Rolley) is desperate to be the singer of a band at the local youth club but the arrival of the cocky Norman spoils his dream and shakes up a few relationships. When a song-writing competition is announced, Bobby teams up with schoolgirl Laura (Hannah Boyce) and after some typical teenage ups and downs, they come up with a winning pop song "Dreamboats and Petticoats".
It is fantastic that all the music is played live and hats-off the to the all-playing, singing and dancing instrumentalists. The cast were in fine voice and Boyce's rendition of 'Dream Baby Dream' was particularly well-sung.
Top-40 success of the sixties Mark Wynter joins the cast for this tour, adding charm to the role of Bobby's father and treating the audience to a medley of hits at the end of the show. There are also some talented new faces to look out for in the future, especially Laura Sillett who has a fantastic voice.
From the costumes and props, to the scenery, singing and dancing, this really was a step-back in time and it was clear that the audience of all ages were enjoying themselves. Older members were singing along to the soundtrack of their youth and despite not knowing many of the tracks myself, it was lovely to be part of the nostalgia.
4 stars ✭✭✭✭
Dreamboats and Petticoats is at New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 3rd August as part of a National tour.
www.dreamboatsandpetticoats.com