Dreamboats and Petticoats – Wimbledon Theatre

Dreamboats and Petticoats was reviewed at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London, before continuing touring until 30 November.

Originally staged at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, Dreamboats and Petticoats has deservedly established a reputation – through its tours and West End productions – for being a rattling good night out. Written as may be by celebrated comedy writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the script certainly doesn’t make or break the show, what does is the quality of the live music, and the unflagging energy of a very impressive cast.

Set somewhere in Essex in the early 1960s, Dreamboats and Petticoats is a joyous, exuberant rock‘n’roll music-laden celebration of carefree youth, teenage angst and unfulfilled and realised ambitions – both in the love and musical departments. It’s a young cast though, which was clearly finding its feet early on, the consequence being that the evening initially felt more end-of-the-pier than mainstream musical. But, by the time Norman, the bad dude in black, played with suitable attitude by Matthew Colthart, joined the fabulously shameless good time gal, Sue (the impressive Louise Olley) on ‘Shakin’ All Over’ (Johnny Kidd and the Pirates), the production had moved up another gear and the ensemble was totally in the good time groove.

Amid all the frenetic musical action (directed by Bob Tomson with choreography by Carole Todd), there’s Laura, the demure, shy but very savvy songwriter dressed in a school uniform, played to perfection by Hannah Boyce, here making a fine professional debut. Equally, the character of Bobby, the nice, clean-cut, frustrated rock‘n’roller, portrayed with charm by Stephen Rolley, makes a fine foil for Laura throughout.

It’s not all about the music, there are some great visual set pieces to enjoy too, an example being during ‘Palisades Park’ (written by Chuck Barris, recorded by Freddy Cannon), featuring two garish dodgem cars circling around on stage beneath a neon Big Dipper sign, when you could almost detect a whiff of candyfloss in the air. If the cast did need vocal support at any time during the evening, that came from a totally involved, mostly mature audience reliving some halcyon musical memories, and not being shy about singing along.

Another person sporting grey hair was actually on stage – the charismatic and impressively energetic Mark Wynter, clearly revelling in returning to his highly successful musical roots of the early 60s. On a night then which was a vibrant musical homage to all the joys of being young, it was great to see the veteran performer just about steal the show during the closing numbers. Clearly, Wynter still has a spring in his step.

Derek Smith