Dreamboats & Petticoats Rolls into Savoy in July

Dreamboats and Petticoats, the rock ‘n’ roll musical based around the Fifties and Sixties hits from the two recently released compilation albums of the same name, will transfer to the West End’s Savoy Theatre next month, running for a limited season from 27 July to 12 September 2009 (previews from 22 July).

The musical, which has been touring the UK extensively, fills the gap at the Savoy between the closure of Carousel, which finishes this Saturday 20 June (See News, 9 Jun 2009), and the UK premiere of Broadway screen-to-stage musical Legally Blonde, which starts previews on 5 December (See News, 21 Apr 2009).

The first Dreamboats and Petticoats became one of the biggest-selling albums of the decade after its release in 2007, amassing sales of more than 600,000, with the second album, Dreamboats and Petticoats Two, climbing to number two in the charts within the first week of its release. The albums feature well-known rock ‘n’ roll classics from the likes of Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran and Billy Fury.

Around such hits, book writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, best known for TV sitcoms Birds of a Feather and Shine on Harvey Moon, have fashioned an original story. In 1961, emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win the hearts of their adoring female fans – and more importantly, the gorgeous Sue. But when shy Laura shows that she’s no slouch on the piano, rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons.

Amongst the songs included in the show are: “Let’s Dance”, “To Know Him Is to Love Him”, “Shaking All Over”, “Bobby’s Girl”, “Three Steps to Heaven”, “Little Town Flirt”, “Only Sixteen”, “Runaround Sue”, “Happy Birthday Sweet 16”, “Let It Be Me”, “Great Pretender”, “C’mon Everybody” and “Let’s Twist Again”.

Dreamboats and Petticoats is directed by Bob Tomson and designed by Sean Cavanagh, with choreography by Carole Todd, lighting by Mark Howett, sound by Ben Harrison and musical supervision by Keith Strachan. It’s produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with the record label Universal Music. Casting for the West End season has not yet been announced.