Dreamboats And Petticoats at the Belgrade Theatre

[dutchman]

Dreamboats And Petticoats, 2hrs 30m, Belgrade Theatre, until Saturday.



WAY back when there was musical Buddy celebrating the life and music of the iconic Mr Holly.

It’s success released an avalanche of musicals trading on songs that made us want to sing-along or get up and dance, all with fairly tenuous story lines.

Dreamboats and Petticoats is one such show based on the compilation CD of the same title.

What it has in its favour is a waterfall of songs from the early 60s which will have remained in the memory of those lucky enough to be around at that time.

The story is set in 1961 and wrapped around a would-be love affair down at the local youth club, and the only thing that matters is what’s top of the hit parade.

It would seem unfair to single out performers but David Ribi and Laura Dorrance, playing and singing the centres of attention down at the youth club, capture the teenage angst of misplaced hormones and unrequited love with astonishing conviction.

There you have it, the strength of the show is in the young, enthusiastic cast and the jukebox score of over 40 rock ‘n’ roll chart-toppers such as Bobby’s Girl – guess the name of the lead character – and Da Doo Ron Ron.

The show is bouncy, toe-tapping and great fun and it would be a grumpy old man, or woman for that matter, who didn’t get up on their feet for the finishing medley.

Rating * * * *

Review by Roger Monkman