It’s the 1960s, an age of innocence and the awakening of teenage desire – with fabulous tunes and a new freedom.
This is the backdrop to a fun-filled musical, jam-packed with legendary tunes that takes nostalgia to a whole new level
Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield have a sure-fire hit with this show that can’t fail to fill everyone in the audience with the feel-good factor.
The songs come thick and fast – Poetry in Motion, Runaround Sue, Bobby’s Girl and many more, sending the many pensioners in the audience back to their glory days, and up on their feet bopping in the aisles.
And amongst the grey-haired ravers were many youngsters who were brought up on their parents’ tunes, also having a great night out.
The plot is simple, but it works. Bobby (Anthony Clegg) finds an old Dansette record player in his attic and starts telling his granddaughter Daisy (Bethany Compson- Bradford) about his youth when he started a band in the ‘60s.
The scene then shifts to St Mungo’s C.E. Youth Club where the young and studious Bobby, (now played by Josh Capper) is trying to form a band.
Then enters Norman (X-factor finalist Jonathan Bremner), a John Travolta look-alike, in tight jeans and leather jacket, quiffed black hair - and attitude.
Bobby and Norman vie to be leader of the band but the cocky Norman soon gets the gig and they decide on a name - Norman and the Conquests.
But music is not the only thing on the young men’s minds, for they have conquests of another sort to make. The girls in this show are all strong, especially Laura (Daniella Brown), Donna (Clare Ivory) and her man-eating friend Sue (Carolynne Good).
This is a tale of typical teenage desires where Laura yearns for Bobby who fancies Sue who fancies Norman. But as we know from the start it will turn out all right in the end – and it does.
Woven into the mix is a song-writing competition run by Thank Your Lucky Stars, an actual 1960s TV competition, but in this story it’s for youth club members.
Bobby, a fledgling musician, tries with the help of swotty schoolgirl Laura to write the winning song, but is thwarted when Norman takes his place when he is distracted by the attentions of the sexy scheming Sue.
But an X-factor-type finale sees the two lovers, Laura and Bobby win the show after discovering at her 16th birthday party – cue Happy Birthday Sweet 16 – that they are meant for each other after all. Laura has now lost her plaits, and has blossomed into a lovely young woman.
This show has a steady pace with tons of humour and the odd sexual innuendo. It never takes itself too seriously and Bremner sends his character up mercilessly bringing in loads of laughs
The dancing is subtle in places and vibrant where it matters, the choreography hitting just the right note, and the on-stage musicians are a blast.
The whole show is just one long party especially the high-energy finale where the whole cast and audience boogie on down. And whether you are 60 or 16, if you want a brill night out – just go and buy a ticket and join in!
Rating: 8/10
Don't miss out - DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS will be on at The Liverpool Empire from until March 13th.
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