Dreamboats and Petticoats has returned to the West End for a run until January, apparently to coincide with the release of another compilation in the Dreamboats series. Whatever the reason, it is a hugely welcome return. Put simply, the show is Mammia Mia mixed with Greece and was first performed in 2009, but has already become one of those must-see productions.
Set in 1961, the storyline centres around the coming of age of teenagers Laura and Bobby, who have a mutual love for music and possibly each other. Set in a youth club, there are song writing competitions, broken hearts, fights, bumper car rides and a hugely energetic soundtrack. To be honest though, the storyline is almost irrelevant. It creates a spine, but otherwise what carries the show is the dancing, singing and laughing.
Almost as soon as the lights go down the energy is infectious, as the hugely talented cast rattle through a greatest hits of the late fifties and early sixties. Even if you are not a fan of rock and roll, you will still find yourself tapping your feet along to classics like The Wanderer, Bobby's Girl and Great Pretender, played by the band on stage. What is impressive is the quality of signing right across the cast, with even the lesser roles shining.
The pace never lets up and the laughs come from some good comedy timing and nice splashes of hindsight fun poking at bankers. The lead stars here, David Ribi (Bobby) and Samantha Dorrance (Laura) are faultless, as is the stunning Susannah Allman as the initial love interest Sue, who lights up the stage early on. By the end, even the most reserved of the audience are on their feet.
Tonight's show features a special appearance too, from current X Factor star Ella Henderson. For one little girl at the interval, who gets her autograph and picture, it makes for a special night but for almost everyone else her presence is a mere distraction. Her appearance on stage only goes to highlight how far she has to go to become a 'professional' performer. One thing is certain the show she has come to see, certainly does have the X Factor.