Dreamboats and Petticoats review – Edinburgh Playhouse

Bill Kenwright’s touring production of Dreamboats and Petticoats embodies teenage romance; it’s fun, uplifting and promising. However, as is common with young love, it is also repetitive, clichéd and, ultimately, anti-climatic.

Set in the early Sixties, when flouncy skirts and Roy Orbison were all the rage, Dreamboats and Petticoats tells the story of a wide-eyed teenager named Bobby (Stephen Rolley) who dreams of becoming a popular songwriter. He teams up with geeky schoolgirl Laura (Hannah Boyce) in a bid to pen the next big hit and win the song writing competition that’s being run by their local youth club.

Although the narrative of Dreamboats and Petticoats undeniably loose and forgettable, it serves a great base for the young and energetic cast to perform more than 40 rock ‘n’ roll classics including Let’s Twist Again, It’s My Party and Happy Birthday Sweet 16. Fresh out of theatre school, they all seem to be in their element as they swing their hips and belt out hit after hit to a generally receptive crowd.

Acting-wise, the beautiful Louise Olley provokes laughter with her on-point portrayal of ‘Runaround Sue’, the school’s resident Queen Bee whilst Hannah Boyce proves herself to be worthy of a leading role in her professional debut as awkward and love-struck teenager, Laura. However, it is veteran pop idol Mark Wynter (who plays the role of Phil before performing as himself during the encore) who draws the biggest cheers from the crowd as he shimmies onto the stage and performs two of his greatest hits, Go Away Little Girl and Venus in Blue Jeans.

Overall, Dreamboats and Petticoats is a harmless and easy-to-follow jukebox musical which, depending on how you feel about cheesy nostalgia, will have you either swaying or cringing in your seat. Musical Marmite at its finest.