New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Dreamboats and Miniskirts
Monday 13th - Saturday 18th October 2014
Dreamboats and Miniskirts is the sequal to the hit Dreamboats and Petticoats and delights us with more classic 60’s tunes.
It is now 2 years on, 1963 and we see lovebirds Bobby and Laura not doing as well as expected with their musical career. It is decided that they should part ways and so Bobby returns to his youth club band ‘The Conquests’ while Laura tries it alone. Their relationship is also rocky, especially when Bobby tries to record a song with ‘The Conquests’ that Laura wrote without telling her. As her solo career starts to take off, can they work through their differences or will they part ways forever?
Running alongside this, we have bad boy Norman who has given up music and settled down to family bliss with heavily pregnant Sue. As musical tastes have changed it becomes apparent that ‘The Conquests’ need Norman and his individual voice back in the band and along with a soft push from Sue he returns to his passion of singing and entertaining.
Ray, Laura’s older brother and Bobby’s best friend has started working in a plush hairdressing salon in London which means that he has less and less time for his long term girlfriend Donna who is beginning to lose her patients with the small amount of time they are seeing each other – who cares if Elizabeth Taylor wants him to go to her hotel room to cut her hair!!!!
Ray is also the manager of ‘The Conquests’ and once he gets them signed with music boss Tony, can they rise to stardom or is it just another youth club dream that will eventually have its day?
The set was covered in 60’s posters with bands and adverts from the time. It was the same as ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ which, for people who had been to see the first instalment, gave them a friendly, almost homely welcome as it instantly drew you back into the action. This set is simple and effective and doesn’t take anything away from the action. It allows scene changes to be carried out quickly and efficiently and all of the actors chip in with bringing things on and off stage.
There were no fancy lighting or sound queues, which meant that the songs took centre stage, and so they should as what can beat a good old 60’s belter!
The performers were the true stars of this show. Their voices were pitch perfect and they really looked as if they were having a ball on stage which uplifted and drew the audience in. We had hand clapping and even a bit of dancing in the audience which was all thanks to the stunning performances.
You could not pick anyone out in particular, as the performers worked wonderfully as a team and there was a real spark between them all that made you believe in all of their characters and relationships.
We also had performers playing a variety of instrument’s that blended in well with the running of the show and created that extra level to the performance.
It is not like me to gush about a show, but I loved ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ and ‘Dreamboats and Miniskirts’ is in no way a sloppy 2nd, it is punchy, vibrant and a must see for 60’ lovers. Granted the storyline is predictable, but who cares when you are watching such talent!
Cast:
Alex Beaumont – Bobby
Elizabeth Carter – Laura
Ross William Wild – Norman
Louise Olley – Sue
David Luke – Ray
Anna Campkin – Donna
Alan Howell – Tony
Josh Tye - Derek
Chris Coxon – Richard (Bass Guitar)
Chloe Edwards-Wood – July (Tenor Saxophone / Clarinet)
Michael Kantola – Colin (Musical Director / Guitar)
Sheridan Lloyd – Andy (Assistant Musical Director / Piano)
Josef Pitura-Riley – Jeremy (Trumpet / Keyboard)
Charlotte Peak – Murial (Bass Saxophone / Flute)
Will Tierney – Joe (Rhythm Guitar)
Damiem Walsh – Barry (Drums)
Website:
www.atgtickets.com/.../dreamboats-and-miniskirts/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
Box Office:
0844 871 3011
