Review: Dreamboats and Petticoats

Written around a compilation of songs from early 60’s hits, Dreamboats and Petticoats is a night of pure nostalgia that explodes onto the stage catapulting its audience back to that heady era. Although the plot is predictable it’s skilfully built around over forty of the hottest 60’s hits ranging from Let’s Dance to Dream Lover. Set in a youth club where teenagers fall in and out of love, hit the heights of sophistication with an international grill at the Wimpey Bar and explore their sexual urges with a snog in the tunnel of love, as far as any nice girl would go in those days. The story revolves around Bobby, who has acne and is smitten with the brazen, busty Sue. However, thankfully for the plot, Sue has no time for him and has eyes only for the egotistical Norman. In between all this we meet the brace-wearing, NHS bi-spectacled girl with plaits, Laura, whose only wish is to be Bobby’s Girl. And course her wish is granted when she and Bobby win a national song writing contest and we hope live happily ever after.

As Laura, Elizabeth Carter has created a gauche, touching character, alongside Alistair Higgins whose naïve Bobby is appropriately innocent.

Creative, fast moving and pacey, this just rolls out seamlessly.

Leeds Grand Theatre to July 15.