Dreamboats and Petticoats (Tour – Liverpool)

Rock ‘n’ roll is revived in Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield’s uplifting production, Dreamboats and Petticoats.

Transporting you back to a period of innocence, this is a musical that has you subconsciously tapping your feet and grinning from ear-to-ear.

Set in 1961, it tells the story of teenagers Bobby (David Ribi) and Laura (Samantha Dorrance), and their ambitions of winning a song-writing competition.

The production covers all the classics, from Marcie Blane’s Bobby’s Girl, to the title number Dreamboats and Petticoats, in a contagiously energetic manner that encourages an audience singalong.

Ribi and Dorrance lead the production beautifully, their swing moves standing out from the crowd and their vocals containing a flawless and infectious quality that, as the lady next to me whispered, sound as strong as a pre-recorded and auto-tuned track.

Katie Birtall, as provocative 60s temptress Sue, has a uniquely stunning voice and watchability factor, whilst Graeme Henderson as Older Bobby provides many-a-laugh with his bob-on comedy timing.

The ensemble as a whole ooze fun and charisma, their enjoyment passing on to the crowd and consequently leading to a standing ovation and cheers of delight.

However, despite the cast being polished there are some technical areas that could do to be scrubbed a little harder.

In the first act, there are a few occasions where the set-piece for Bobby’s room shakes at a single touch, and in this particular performance moments where poor Ribi has to deal with a turned-off microphone.

Despite this, Dreamboats is ultimately a feel-good piece of theatre that will undoubtedly release the teenager within you and have you twisting once again.

-Rebecca Cohen