Bobby's Girl wins hearts in Dreamboats and Petticoats (From Gazette Series)

Bobby's Girl wins hearts in Dreamboats and Petticoats

12:34pm Wednesday 23rd June 2010 in

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Review: Dreamboats and Petticoats

Bath Theatre Royal

THE rock and roll of the early sixties has been brought back to life in Bath this week.

An era many people look back on and wish they had been a part of, 1961 was the time of the teenager.

And the stage version of Dreamboats and Petticoats, inspired by the compilation albums of the same name, is a true testament to the talents of the young.

All the songs in the Bill Kenwright play are performed live on stage by one of the liveliest and most versatile bands you will ever see in a professional company. Each musician is a member of the cast and boast not only saxophone, guitar and drumming skills but also acting talents. They remain in character throughout this foot-tapping show, creating a real energy on stage which doesn’t lapse from curtain up to the party-style encore.

The lead characters are all singing stars in their own right, bellowing out iconic tunes of the fifties and early sixties including Let’s Twist, Only Sixteen, Great Pretender, Bobby's Girl and To Know Him Is To Love Him, with style and emotion.

The story centers around Mungo’s youth club in Essex and Bobby (Josh Capper) and Norman (Jonathan Bremner, who appeared as a contestant on The X Factor) who are both competing for a song-writing contest as well as the attentions of the gum-chewing, short skirt-wearing Sue.

But it is shy schoolgirl Laura (Daniella Bowen) who eventually wins their hearts as she blossoms at her sweet sixteenth birthday party.

What the story may lack, the music sure makes up for. And who’s there for the plot anyway? This fast-paced and fun show is all about the music.

Dreamboats and Petticoats is on at Bath Theatre Royal until Saturday, June 26. Visit www.theatreroyal.org or call 01225 448844 for tickets.