The 10th anniversary tour of Dreamboats and Petticoats sails into Edinburgh for a week of fun loving, golden age rock and roll.
Dreamboats and Petticoats is a jukebox musical that takes its sound from the kings and queens of rock and roll from the 1950s and 1960s; from a time when being a teenager was the best thing to be. For perhaps the only time in our history, the focus was on teenagers from anything from popular culture and beauty products to talent shows and icons. Teenagers were the market for new and exciting pop culture, and at the heart of that lay Rock and Roll.
The story of Dreamboats and Petticoats is that of a group of teens in 1961. When Bobby (Alistair Higgins) auditions for the lead singer of a music group at the youth club, he is an instant success – for all of five minutes, until cool kid Norman (Alastair Hill) arrives and steals the spot. Soon after, Bobby’s dad Phil (Jimmy Johnston) announces that there is a nationwide songwriting competition for teens – one which Bobby and his best friend’s sister Laura (Elizabeth Carter) are determined to win. What follows is exactly what you may expect from a youth club full of hot headed, loved-up teens; romance, slights, fights – and an awful lot of rock and roll.
As a fairly new musical, Dreamboats ticks all the boxes of the classics and easily stands up beside other teen dramas like Grease and Footloose. With music from the greats including Cliff Richard and the Shadows, The Teddy Bears, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates and Danny and the Juniors, the soundtrack really is second to none, and has an unbeatable authenticity that will make you wish you were back in the 50s.
There are some fantastic dance numbers, including the appearance of a couple of bumper cars, and all the music and singing is live on stage. The band are truly world class and the cast produce some cracking vocals with every song, from solo guitar to big band and a genius acapella version of Johnny Tillotson’s Poetry in Motion. Alastair Hill’s Norman is the perfect wannabe pinup an David Luke’s Ray is a fantastic support to the main roles with his comedic presence and a couple of great numbers under his belt.
Jimmy Johnston gives of his own quality of showmanship against a backdrop of young stars and sets the bar high despite being outnumbered.
This production is fantastically energetic, sexy slick and raucous with hilarious one liners and a vibe that makes you want to sing along. Whether you know the songs or not, it’s a feel good night out.
Shows until the 13th May
Evenings 7.30pm, Matinees (Wednesday and Saturday) 2.30pm
Tickets £17.90-£41.40