Set in the swinging sixties when the birth of youth culture really took off, juke box-style musical Dreamboats and Petticoats tells the tale of a group of wannabe rock star youth club members as they bid to win a national song writing competition. Add in tales of teenage love and loss all told via the use of ever popular hits from the era and you’ve got a toe tapping treat for all the family.
After the release in 2007 of the first Dreamboats and Petticoats CD the brand has sold millions of copies worldwide and has since released multiple follow-ups, attracting a wide ranging audience and ensuring the stage production which first toured in 2009 is still as popular today as it was then.
Awkward teenager Bobby, played by Greg Fossard dreams of being lead singer in the St Mungo’s Youth Club group but sadly loses out to the cooler, more edgy Norman, (Matthew Colthart). Poor Bobby also loses out in love as his dream girl Sue (Louise Olley) falls for; you guessed it bad boy Bobby.
Featuring classics such as ‘Shakin’ All Over, Bobby’s Girl, and Only the Lonely’ Dreamboats and Petticoats takes us through a nostalgic trip of growing up as a teenager in the sixties and the heartache trying to make your way in the world whatever the era brings. The young cast are hardworking and enthusiastic; each of the leads is well cast and more than do justice to the much loved classics they have the pleasure of performing. With all instruments played on stage by the versatile cast this is a well-rounded and crowd pleasing show.
Greg Fossard makes for a wonderful Bobby, sweet but a little bit hopeless, he bumbles through one disaster to another yet never gives up, his voice is strong and smooth. Matthew Colthart is every teenage girls dream as hip thrusting, cigarette smoking Norman. The relationship between Bobby (Greg Fossard) and Laura (Hannah Boyce) is particularly touching, I was willing them to get together from my seat in the audience; Hannah’s voice is beautiful, she delivers each song with total respect for the meaning she seems to know they have to the audience. Louise Olley and Sue, Will Finlason as Ray, and Roger Martin and Phil/Older Bobby are fabulous with special mention going to Laura Sillet who makes her professional debut as the witty love bite delivering Donna.
The delight the musical numbers bring to audience members who are old enough to remember them first time around is heart-warming, so much so I said to my Dad who’d accompanied me, “I wonder if there will be shows featuring Oasis and Blur tunes in 30 years’ time?” to which he replied, “Don’t be ridiculous, far too dreary” only time will tell!
