Anyone who enjoys the music of the 50s and 60s will have a ball at the West End show featuring music from this era. Dreamboats and Petticoats London is based on the best selling Dreamboats and Petticoats album and is full of classic rock and roll songs.
Inspired by the themes of the classic songs, Dreamboats and Petticoats is a brand new story written by the duo who penned TV’s popular comedy sitcom Birds of a Feather. The two main male characters, Bobby and Norman, are young musicians competing with each other to win fame in a song writing competition.
As well as stardom, they both aim to win the affections of Sue, before Bobby realises that the lovely Laura is his perfect match in more ways than one.
After a successful three-month run at the Savoy Theatre in 2009, Dreamboats and Petticoats is now on stage at London’s Playhouse Theatre until 26th November this year.
Located in the heart of London near famous landmark Trafalgar Square, the Playhouse Theatre was opened under its current name in 1907. Previous to this it was the Royal Avenue Theatre, which opened in 1882 and regularly hosted risqué burlesque shows.
The Playhouse Theatre has had an interesting history; it was taken over by the BBC in 1951, which turned it into a live performance studio. Amazingly, The Beatles, Queen and The Rolling Stones have all performed live at this venue in the past.
After the BBC left the theatre in 1976 the disused building fell into a state of disrepair. The final chapter in its vibrant history was its restoration and re-opening in 1987. The musical Girlfriend was chosen to relaunch the Playhouse Theatre and since then it has hosted many successful musicals, including Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and La Cage Aux Follies.
A fun musical full of nostalgia, Dreamboats and Petticoats The Musical is perfect for those who love the albums. There are currently four Dreamboats and Petticoats albums, as well as Christmas and Summer Holiday special releases. They chronicle a golden era of music from the birth of rock n’ roll in the late 50s to the early 60s.
The hit songs featured in the musical include up-tempo numbers Let’s Twist Again, The Locomotion, Bobby’s Girl and Runaround Sue. Other classic tracks providing the soundtrack to the action include Happy Birthday Sweet 16, What a Wonderful World and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.
A first class musical cast breathe life back into the hits from yesteryear, including X Factor finalist Scott Bruton. Scott has come a long way from his first job as a Bluecoat at Pontins, and beat 180,000 other contestants to make it to the X Factor live shows. Performing with Mariah Carey on the X Factor charity single Hero certainly takes some beating but Scott is currently shining as young musician Bobby.
Bobby’s nemesis Norman is played by another familiar face, former Emmerdale cast member Ben Freeman. Ben played Scott Windsor in the hit soap for 10 years and before that spent four years playing popular character Chris Longworth in Grange Hill. Ben also enjoys several presenting roles and has graced many stages, as well as performing at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008.
Young, youth club geek Laura is played by young talent Daisy Wood-Davis. A performer since she started ballet lessons at the age of three, Daisy studies at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. She is currently on a full scholarship on its diploma course and balances her training with her role as Laura.
Daisy has also played the role of Alice in Wonderland at the Edwardian Theatre, and has featured in the Richard Curtis film The Boat That Rocked. Also a talented songwriter, Daisy has been talent scouted by Song BMG.
Opposite of shy Laura, Sue is played by Jennifer Biddall, who is probably best known for her role as Jessica Harris in Hollyoaks. As well as starring in the popular Channel 4 soap, Jessica has voiced several radio plays. She trained at the Bristol Old Vic theatre school and has remained true to her roots with a variety of theatre roles including Isabella in The White Devil and Helena in All’s Well That Ends Well.
Running Monday to Saturday with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays, Dreamboats and Petticoats runs for two hours and 30 minutes. This makes it a great value show to go and see. Although the musical numbers will certainly appeal to audience members who are familiar with the songs, Dreamboats and Petticoats isn’t just for the over 50s; the fun storyline and universally catchy tunes have the ability to appeal to all ages.
A trip to see Dreamboats and Petticoats is a great idea for a Mothers' Day gift, so why not get tickets to treat the most important woman in your life? Falling on 3rd April this year, Mothers' Day is an opportunity to thank our mums for all they do for us the year through. All mums deserve a treat and tickets to Dreamboats and Petticoats The Musical are sure to be gratefully received. Invite grandma along too and you’re sure to make yourself even more popular!
Those with a special anniversary coming up could also make themselves very popular with their other half by treating them to a night out at the theatre. Dreamboats in Petticoats is the perfect trip down memory lane, allowing you to relive the days when you courted your loved one. Add a romantic dinner for two and a bunch of her favourite flowers and you’re sure to earn a whole stack of brownie points.
Anyone who enjoys the classic rock n’ roll of the late 50s and early 60s is sure to enjoy Dreamboats and Petticoats The Musical. A gentle and fun story peppered with well-loved songs, this production will have you rocking around the clock in no time.