Dreamboats and Petticoats is a jukebox musical - and unashamedly so. Set in 1961, where Bobby (Alistair Higgins), an awkward but talented teenager, is auditioning for a band at the local Youth Club. He almost gets the part, but is edged out by a last minute arrival to the auditions: the cool and confident Norman (Alistair Hill). The teenagers that hang out at Youth Club all know each other, even if they're not necessarily friends.
These teens include Bobby and his best friend Ray (David Luke), Ray's younger sister Laura (Elizabeth Carter) who has a crush on Bobby, cool girl Sue (Laura Darton) whom Bobby has a crush on, and Donna (Gracie Johnson), who is Sue's friend.
Bobby's father announces that the Youth Club association is holding the first National song writing competition and Bobby and Laura, who have similar tastes in music, agree to write a song together. The story follows the twists, turns and emotional angst that was - and is - growing up as a teenager in love!
The soundtrack to the show couldn't be any cooler if it tried. With era-defining tracks like 'Let's Dance', 'Poetry In Motion' and 'It's My Party', coupled with a talented, slick and versatile cast, Dreamboats and Petticoats is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated musicals on the touring circuit at the moment.
Sure, it's not got set's flying in left right and centre, nor a platform launching the leading lady 10 feet in the air at the end of the first act, but it's the shows simplicity, subtlety and understanding of its limitation that make it all the more endearing. Sat immediately in front of me was a gentleman and his wife who clearly grew up - maybe even met each other - during the 60s. They knew every song and the smiles on their faces told me all I needed to about the quality of the production they were watching.
The piece boils down to a classic will they/won't they scenario, where the audience are willing Bobby and Laura to admit their feelings for each other. The genuine sigh's when the moment almost arrives...then disappears again in a flash are audible throughout the auditorium! It's rare for a show like this to be able to muster such compassion to its main characters, but by doing so, 'Dreamboats' adds another string to its already well strung bow.
Higgins and Carter are magnificent as our two lovebirds. Elizabeth, especially, has been with the show for a while now - but far from complacent, her immense talent and beautiful singing voice shines through. It's clear she knows 'Laura' very well and is increasingly comfortable playing her on stage. Higgins interpretation of Bobby has just the right amount of talent and vulnerability which makes the character even more endearing to the audience.
With superb live music and some show-stopping acapella renditions, 'Dreamboats' is so much more than a simple story to give the cast the freedom to crowbar songs into the script. It's a show which is beautifully crafted, thoughtfully staged and a gem of a find for any music fan.
Let's be totally frank. This isn't a show on the scale of Wicked or Billy Elliott. This is a simple, classic musical, but because of the limit of the theatrics the creatives employed there's even more need for the cast to have the talent and the confidence to support the show.
I think the standing ovation at the end tells you all you need to know.
Dreamboats and Petticoats runs at Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 6th May.