Rich Jevons finds little to fault with this touring musical except the length of the miniskirts – which says far more about the state ofhis mid-life crisis than it does about the quality of the production.
This sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats is a ‘jukebox musical’ written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran and produced and directed by Bill Kenwright. Set slightly later in the Swinging Sixties it contains over forty great songs from the era with some great vocals, on-stage music and dancing.
It follows the fortunes of Bobby (Alex Beaumont) and Laura (Elizabeth Carter) who have had a ‘fluke’ number one and find it hard to sustain both their commercial success and relationship too. We also see how Norman (Ross William Wild) and Sue (Louise Olly) have fared, now being with child. Then there’s Ray (David Luke) and Donna (Anna Campkin) with Ray leaving his partner feeling neglected through the time he devotes to his Bond Street hair salon.
You don’t have to had seen the original to take in the narrative which is really just an excuse to delve into the Sixties classics hitlist. But the performances are on a par for what we’ve come to expect from Kenwright and the music is simply superb.
There is no doubt that the majority of the audience have had these songs as a soundtrack to their lives but it works equally to reveal what turned on your parents back in the day. And, of course, these songs, from the fiery Hippy Hippy Shake to ballads like When You’re Young and in Love, are universal and everlasting.
The Alhambra really came alive for a fabulous evening of musical delights that, corny as it may be, left you feeling like a teenager in love! Now that’s a CURE for any mid-life crisis, eh?!
As seen at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on 29th September 2014. Tour that culminates at Leeds’ Grand Theatre 13 to 18 July 2015.