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Cargo of hits still sailing along Dreamboats and Miniskirts
Malvern Theatres
**** AS the literally
all-singing, all-dancing sequel to
Dreamboats and Petticoats, this
show had a huge amount to live up to.
Dreamboats and Miniskirts follows the
same winning formula as its predecessor and is brought to us by the same
writers, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. This feel-good jukebox
musical directed by Bill Kenwright and Keith Strachan once again leads
us into the
world of the swinging sixties, and the
continuing stories of teenagers Laura, Bobby, Sue, Norman, Ray, Donna
and friends as they try to make their way through the pitfalls of the
rock and roll world and young love. There is no doubt that this is a highly talented
cast, and again they put on a great, high energy performance combining
acting, singing, dancing, and musical skills, but for me Dreamboats
and Miniskirts lacked the spark of magic that shone throughout
Dreamboats and Petticoats. A couple of casting changes were announced at the
start of the show so this may well have had an effect on dynamics, and
although Sue (Louise Olley) and Norman (Alan Howell) made a convincing
couple, Donna (Anna Campkin) and Ray (David Luke) seemed to lack
chemistry, and Laura (Elizabeth Carter) and Bobby (Alex Beaumont) even
more so. Musically the production was excellent, with the
cast playing a range of instruments on stage and the wonderful dancing
brass section adding a great sound and humour to many numbers (sax
player Chloe Edwards-Wood as Judy really stood out for me here). However, I felt that the songs seemed to fit in
less smoothly with the storyline than they did in Dreamboats and
Petticoats, which at least when it did shoehorn a few tunes in
acknowledged that with a humorous nod. But perhaps that is a minor
point, when the story in a jukebox musical is after all simply a device
to thread together the songs the audience wants to hear. C The promotional material promises that the show
will feature ‘all your favourite 60s rock ‘n’ roll hits’, and many
audience members were singing or clapping along to numbers such as Be
My Baby, Louie Louie and I Get Around, although for me
the songs were less familiar than those from Dreamboats and
Petticoats, but then the sixties are not my era. I enjoyed Will Tierney’s performance as Tony
Lister and thought more could have been made of his talent, but for me
the performers who shone in this were Elizabeth Carter and Louise Olley.
Together with Anna Campkin they make for a very strong female trio and
at times it almost felt that their male equivalents were more in
supporting roles than confidently taking on their lead roles, and I
would have liked to see a bit more gusto from the men to match the
enthusiasm of their women. Almost all the ingredients seemed to be there for another spectacular production, but for me there were just a few too many elements missing to make this production quite in the same league as Dreamboats and Petticoats. One omission from this story and cast was the
older generation, which in Dreamboats and Petticoats appeared in
the guise of Roger Martin as Bobby’s dad and the weird and wonderful
Mike Lloyd who played a whole host of different strange characters
including a singing monk. That took away from the breadth of perspective
of the previous show, as well as the warmth that father character
brought in his role at St. Mungo’s Youth Club. Despite its shortcomings I did thoroughly enjoy the show, and it is perhaps unfair to compare it so closely with the outstanding Dreamboats and Petticoats although such comparisons are, I’m afraid, inevitable. Brilliantly choreographed by Carole Todd,
and with some fantastic outfits by costume designer Anna Gouch, this is
once again great light-hearted and uplifting entertainment, and with
fabulous lighting from Tim Oliver and an impressive set designed by Sean
Cavanagh, it is a pleasure to watch. If you’re a fan of music from the
early sixties, and you’re after a cheerful evening of entertainment then
this is surely the show for you. Dreamboats and Miniskirts is touring
Britain now and far into 2015. To 25-10-14 Amy Rainbow
20-10-14
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