Dreamboats and Petticoats Churchill Theatre Review

Dreamboats and Petticoats
Churchill Theatre, Bromley

10-15 February 2014

www.dreamboatsandpetticoats.com

Reviewed by Emma Rogers

Dreamboats and Petticoats tells a surprisingly strong story of teenagers in 1960s Essex, strung together by more than 20 hits of the day. You wouldn’t believe that the 17 member cast not only sing all the songs live, but play the music too!

Although based in the early 1960s, it’s a show for all ages which keeps up the pace fantastically, with some great tongue-in-cheek jokes (“everyone likes a banker!”) as well as the innocent jokes of the day.

The main character is Bobby Croft, who tells his granddaughter about being a pop singer for all of 10 minutes before losing out to Norman. Bobby nearly loses out to Norman again over Runaround Sue, but had it not been for Laura… Well, you get the picture!

There wasn’t a bad performance all night, but the stand out actors were Hannah Boyce (Laura) and Louise Olley who plays Sue.

The cast is not only very strong but fathered by Roger Martin who put in an excellent performance as Bobby’s father. Don’t forget Bobby and Norman too played by Greg Fossard and Matthew Colthart.

This is a feel good show that anyone will enjoy, but anyone who grew up in the era will especially enjoy this 2½ hour show. I would happily go and see this show again – don’t forget your dance shoes!

Rating: 4.5/5

Tickets cost from £17.90 to £38.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

For more information or to book tickets click here.