DREAMBOATS AND MINISKIRTS
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
Monday 6th July – Saturday 11th July 2015
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
Monday 6th July – Saturday 11th July 2015
Dreamboats and Miniskirts is the sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats. It is now 1963 and the world is changing. Miniskirts carries the production into the next decade and ultimately gives its producers the opportunity to showcase a whole plethora of chart hits from this era. Clearly they are on to winner, as the opening night audience are made up of mostly couples in their fifties, sixties and seventies all ready to enjoy reliving their pasts through the songs they loved to listen to back in the day - and my goodness there are plenty of them! 38 in total.
Dreamboats and Miniskirts continues with the story from the last show, although I don't think you need to have seen the previous show to appreciate this one. It begins with Bobby (Alex Beaumont) and Laura, played by a sweet Elizabeth Carter, appearing live on TV singing their hit song Dreamboats and Petticoats. Unfortunately, their single doesn't take off and despite both of them being signed by the same label they end up going their separate ways. Bobby gets back with his old group, The Conquests, persuading Norman the lead singer to re-recruit. They then pursue the opportunity to perform at The Cavern in Liverpool. Usurped by a young group called The Beatles they return to Hornchurch, Essex, where Bobby comes up with a song that he claims to have written himself called Time Won’t Stand Still and they perform it in front of his and Laura's record label producer, played by Alan Howell as the, ever so slightly camp, Tony.
The storyline goes in and out and around the houses mostly to pave the way for the songs that are conveniently slotted in between. I can't help but feel that the cast, despite having some great songs to sing; and singing them fabulously, are slightly embarrassed about actually having to deliver some of the dialogue they've been given with the script. I did cringe slightly when the song “Be My Baby” was used to introduce the pregnant Sue played by Laura Darton. I think this was the point in the production where I jotted down 'CHEESE' in very big letters in my notes; but hey let's face it, it's all part of the fun of the show and Laura can certainly belt out a song!
We are then introduced to Norman played by Alastair Hill, who blows us away with his rendition of “Handyman” and frankly wouldn't be out of place in a Jersey Boys production with that amazing falsetto voice. This guy's energy and charisma really shone through making the audience really sit up and take notice. I also enjoyed Anna Campkin's performance as Donna, who as well as having a lovely voice also had great stage presence and was very watchable.
The rest of the lead characters did much credit to the songs they sung; my particular favourites were “When Will I Be Loved”, “Groovy Kind of Love”, “Handyman”, “A Lover's Concerto”, “Hold on Me”, “Dream” and “It's Over” sung brilliantly by Alan Howell as Tony. Also, the supporting cast who play all their own instruments impressively and contribute to a great overall sound.
This show is basically a jolly good excuse to enjoy the songs of the sixties, strung along by a rather weak storyline. Ultimately though, I don't really think the audience cared about the storyline - for them it was all about the music.
A tiny highlight for me, however, was having 'the legend of the airwaves', Tony Blackburn, as the introduction voiceover. What a shame he couldn't have made a guest appearance - now that would have certainly made my evening, 'pop pickers'!
Dreamboats and Miniskirts continues with the story from the last show, although I don't think you need to have seen the previous show to appreciate this one. It begins with Bobby (Alex Beaumont) and Laura, played by a sweet Elizabeth Carter, appearing live on TV singing their hit song Dreamboats and Petticoats. Unfortunately, their single doesn't take off and despite both of them being signed by the same label they end up going their separate ways. Bobby gets back with his old group, The Conquests, persuading Norman the lead singer to re-recruit. They then pursue the opportunity to perform at The Cavern in Liverpool. Usurped by a young group called The Beatles they return to Hornchurch, Essex, where Bobby comes up with a song that he claims to have written himself called Time Won’t Stand Still and they perform it in front of his and Laura's record label producer, played by Alan Howell as the, ever so slightly camp, Tony.
The storyline goes in and out and around the houses mostly to pave the way for the songs that are conveniently slotted in between. I can't help but feel that the cast, despite having some great songs to sing; and singing them fabulously, are slightly embarrassed about actually having to deliver some of the dialogue they've been given with the script. I did cringe slightly when the song “Be My Baby” was used to introduce the pregnant Sue played by Laura Darton. I think this was the point in the production where I jotted down 'CHEESE' in very big letters in my notes; but hey let's face it, it's all part of the fun of the show and Laura can certainly belt out a song!
We are then introduced to Norman played by Alastair Hill, who blows us away with his rendition of “Handyman” and frankly wouldn't be out of place in a Jersey Boys production with that amazing falsetto voice. This guy's energy and charisma really shone through making the audience really sit up and take notice. I also enjoyed Anna Campkin's performance as Donna, who as well as having a lovely voice also had great stage presence and was very watchable.
The rest of the lead characters did much credit to the songs they sung; my particular favourites were “When Will I Be Loved”, “Groovy Kind of Love”, “Handyman”, “A Lover's Concerto”, “Hold on Me”, “Dream” and “It's Over” sung brilliantly by Alan Howell as Tony. Also, the supporting cast who play all their own instruments impressively and contribute to a great overall sound.
This show is basically a jolly good excuse to enjoy the songs of the sixties, strung along by a rather weak storyline. Ultimately though, I don't really think the audience cared about the storyline - for them it was all about the music.
A tiny highlight for me, however, was having 'the legend of the airwaves', Tony Blackburn, as the introduction voiceover. What a shame he couldn't have made a guest appearance - now that would have certainly made my evening, 'pop pickers'!
What The Audience Thought
Chris Smith, Corringham
“I think it was definitely for our age group (60’s). I did enjoy the music but the storyline was a bit corny. I didn’t think it was as good as Dreamboats & Petticoats.”
Alan Smith, Corringham
“The music was good, which is what it’s all about really isn’t it?”
Our competition winners Chris and Christine Taylor from Leigh on Sea thought it was great.
Chris said, “Thanks so much for the tickets, we’ve really really enjoyed the show. I thought that the guy who played Norman was really good and the girls were strong. I thought it was better than Dreamboats & Petticoats. I’d definitely recommend it!”
Chris said, “Thanks so much for the tickets, we’ve really really enjoyed the show. I thought that the guy who played Norman was really good and the girls were strong. I thought it was better than Dreamboats & Petticoats. I’d definitely recommend it!”