A silly but sweet plot straight from the swinging ’60s

Dreamboats and Petticoats, Opera House, Manchester

FUN, frivolity and a whole lot of rock and roll makes up the latest touring production to visit the Opera House.

The popular West End musical returned to Manchester this week after a successful visit in early 2009 and filled the theatre with the sweet sounds of the early Sixties.

Written by Lawrence Marks and Maurice Gran, who created hit shows “Birds of a Feather” and “Goodnight Sweetheart”, the show is firmly aimed at the baby-boom generation which grew up with bobby socks, teddy boys and the sounds of jangly guitar groups.

The show definitely hit the right chord with audience members of a certain age last night who tapped their feet and sang their way through a rollercoaster of well-loved hits.

Set in 1961 before the Sixties really started swinging, the silly but sweet plot follows the antics of teenagers from St Mungo’s Youth Club.

Bobby (17), played by Josh Capper, wants to become a rock and roll star but is also pinning for bold and brassy Sue, played by Carolynne Good. However, while she has her eyes firmly set on Elvis wannabe Norman, (former “X Factor” semi-finalist Jonathan Bremner), it is quiet Laura, played by Daniella Bowen, who dreams of being Bobby’s Girl.

Despite the flimsy plot, the lead actors are very watchable, sing beautifully and fit their hackneyed roles perfectly.

As well as singing all the hits, the high energy ensemble cast play the musical instruments live on stage and whizz through over 50 classics such as “Bobby’s Girl”, “Runaway” and “Let’s Twist Again”.

And it is the music that proves to be the star of the show, with hit after hit belted out to an audience taking a trip down memory lane.