Milton Keynes Review

The link below is to the review from Milton Keynes that appeared in the Oxford Times.

Milton Keynes Review

Review Catch Up

Have just found the below Brighton review, Fran again shines as we all expect.

There is superb singing throughout, with knockout performances from Jonathan Bremner and Francesca Jackson as the band’s arrogant lead singer and the “Little Town Flirt”.

Brighton Review

Also Milton Keynes article - Milton Keynes is almost a sell out already so much so that they are putting on an extra matinee both here and in Sheffield. (Fran is the official source on this) so thats 9 shows for each of those locations.

Milton Keynes Article

Keep up the good work all the cast your all doing a wonderful job as the latest rumor of further tour dates and a new run on the west end are due to commence early 2010.

Some New Pics From Dreamboats and Petticoats

The Below are all care of Fran, and include all the fabulous cast, hope you all enjoy and for those of you who have seen the show hope they bring back some great memories from the show for you.

Sue & Norman

I Don't Know

Fran proving She can dance

Sue & Norman

Jezebel


Southend Pier


Sue falls under Normans Spell.....

Laura





The Southend Slugger

The Cast

Bromley Article

Below is a link to an announcement about Dreamboats and Petticoats

Bromley Article

Fan Review - From Stoke

Emily Hambleton November 6

On Thursday 16th October I went to see Dreamboats & petticoats at the Regent Theatre, Stoke. We were sat 4 rows from the front and when we first got there 60’s music was playing.

At first I wasn’t sure this would be my type of show but then I thought Fran’s in it so it has to be amazing!

The show started of with Old bobby telling his granddaughter about when he was younger and in love. Soon after
when the lights went down and the screen came up we were all dazzled by 60’s style costumes and red lipstick. Fran was on the stage almost immediately and her dancing was brilliant all the way through. The show is set mainly at a youth club and Fran plays Sue & we soon find out that she is a huge hit with the boys there. The first song sung was ‘Lets Dance’ by Bobby who appears to like Sue a lot but she’s not interested at all. Throughout this song people were already starting to clap along and dance even though the show had only been on for 5 minutes!!
The first time we hear Fran’s amazing voice is when she sung ’Shakin all over’ with Norman. Sue is obviously trying to impress Norman so she try’s everything to win him over. Another cast member who had an equally amazing voice was Laura who was played by Lauren Hood she belted out song after song which left most of the audience with goose bumps as the voice which came out of her was not expected what so ever.
Even though I didn’t realy know any of the songs they were all very catchy and I found my self dancing along too! By the end of act one lots of people were up on there feet and dancing in the aisles.
Fran didn’t have many solo’s in the show but she had plenty of opportunities to show of her voice and wow the audience, which she did. Two of my favourite songs were Shakin all over and You don’t know.
Towards the end of the show, no one was sitting down everyone was dancing and having a good time and when the curtain came down for the final time the dancing didn’t stop there! Everyone was singing as they were going out and they could still be heard on the streets. It was an atmosphere I will not forget for a long time!
After the show I headed to the stage door to Meet Fran again and after about 15minutes she appeared and came straight over. We had a picture and I told her how much I enjoyed the show and she said get well soon to me as my voice had almost gone. Overall an amazing show and must be seen by all ages! I’m 15 and didn’t think that sort of music would of appealed to me. But it just shows all ages can have a brilliant night out and end up enjoying different music!

Dreamboats and Petticoats, Regent Theatre, Hanley

Dreamboats And Petticoats Regent Theatre

THE lights went down, the curtain raised and there were quiffs, red lipstick-coated pouts, polka dots and rock 'n' roll gyrating hips galore. In no time at all pensioners were up in the aisles doing the twist.
Yes, Dreamboats And Petticoats, the celebration of the smash hit albums of the same name, has finally made it to the Regent Theatre, Hanley.

Set in 1961 the story is simple, a flashback of adolescent romance with a mix of rock 'n' roll. Most of the action takes place at St Mungo's youth club, with Bobby (Josh Capper) and Norman (Jonathan Bremner) competing to win a national song writing competition and the hearts of female fans.

Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart and Birds Of A Feather, the production has a comedic element that perfectly suits its audience. And quips such as "There's no point living beyond your means. If everybody did that the country would be bankrupt" can be appreciated by all in wake of the recession.


However, the plot is entirely predictable and the dialogue acts as a series of song cues. This production is definitely a celebration of music rather than a writing masterpiece, and the vibrant backdrop and energetic and vocally talented cast are what bring it to life as opposed to the script.

Dreamboats And Petticoats provides an easy, undemanding and fantastically upbeat night out at the theatre, and the music of Roy Orbison, The Shadows and Billy Fury among many others comes thick and fast in 43 classic numbers.

Those who were teenagers back in 1961 dominated the audience, and the unashamed singing and dancing in the stalls showed these songs are still clearly imprinted on their minds.

But it doesn't matter what age you are, Dreamboats And Petticoats is feel good nostalgia at its best. If you're not dancing in the aisles by the end, you'll no doubt be smiling along with those who are.

Dreamboats And Petticoats runs at the Regent Theatre until Saturday. 0844 871 7649 for details.

Claire Walker

Newspaper Stories about Dreamboats

The following two links are the announcements for Dreamboats and Petticoats in Grimsby and Crewe.

Chester Chronicle Article

Grimsby Article

Nottingham Fan Review

Below is Abbie's review from Dreamboats and Petticoats, (although the picture is from CSWY last year.)

On Monday 5th October I went to watch Dreamboats and Petticoats the musical at the Nottingham Theatre Royal. This Brand new musical, which is inspired by the million selling compliation series ' Dreamboats and Petticoats' is performed by a very strong and talented cast of 17 who all shine in their own way throughout the entire show.

Set in 1961 the show tells the story of two young musicians Norman and Bobby who go on to compete in a national song writing competition and more importantly strive to seek the attention of the beautiful Sue! However, Bobby soon realises that the shy and reserved Laura is more than what she seems to be and that her passion for playing piano could help him to find love and rock and roll fame!

From the moment the curtains opened at the begining of Act one I instantly knew that this musical was going to be one I would never forget. The performers were full of energy and gave their all to make each character believable.

Francesca Jackson shone beautifully in her role as the gorgeous Sue. I was taken back by her performance of the song " You don't know" in Act 2 and the passion she put into the song was truly breath taking. Clare Ivory who played Donna did her role justice and her beautiful vocals certainly complimented Francesca's.

The supremley talented Lauren Hood stole the show in her role as Laura. Her outstanding vocals and ability to make her characters niaevety and timidness seem realistic made her stand out from the other members of the cast.

Young actor Josh Capper and former X factor contestant Jonathon Bremner both portrayed their characters very well and gave an excellent performance.

All in all this was an exceptional show which was well worth both the time and the money! 

Dreamboats Review - Ilkeston Advertiser

Yet another good review for the touring cast of Dreamboats and Petticoats.

It's a joy to watch

submitted picture
A DREAM OF A SHOW: Dreamboats And Petticoats.

Published Date: 08 October 2009

By John Shawcroft

Would-be pop star Bobby has two ambitions at St Mungo's Youth Club in Essex – to make the big time and impress the local siren, the gorgeous Sue.

The first is nipped in the bud by the arrival of Norman, not the best choice of names for a teen idol but one which nevertheless gives rise to the group Norman and the Conquests.

Then, when the flash newcomer moves in on Sue, Bobby's tale of woe seems complete.

But waiting in the wings is his best mate's 15-year-old sister Laura, plain, bespectacled – and a songwriter who shows every promise of becoming the 1961 version of Cathy Dennis.

The pair team up to enter a national songwriting competition and so the tale of Dreamboats and Petticoats unfolds at Nottingham's Theatre Royal this week.

This jukebox musical by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran is based on the best-selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats and if the plot is slight it is an absolute joy of a show with more than 40 numbers from the pre-Beatles era performed live.

They are given a fresh lease of life by this talented cast and the uncertainties, fun and misunderstandings of being a teenager in that innocent age are brilliantly captured.

Dreamboats and Petticoats is showing at the Theatre Royal until Saturday.

• Last Updated: 08 October 2009 4:33 PM
• Source: Ilkeston Advertiser

Review - By urieleyes

Found the following review which thought you might all like......

Dreamboats and Petticoats – 07.10.09

October 7, 2009

• Bobby – Josh Capper
• Norman – Jonathan Bremner
• Laura – Lauren Hood
• Sue – Francesca Jackson
• Ray – Wayne Smith
• Donna – Claire Ivory
• Phil/Older Bobby – Peter Gerald

Sat in the Theatre Royal Nottingham for the first time on a Wednesday matinee surrounded by the older members of the population who had turned out in force (the theatre seemed to be packed to the rim) I wondered what I had let myself in for. The main reason I was there was to see Francesca Jackson, but came out surprised as to how much I’d enjoyed the show in general. Ok so the plot isn’t exactly groundbreaking and they really do try to cram in as many numbers as possible, but it was harmless heartwarming fun. I hadn’t heard many of the songs before (not really my generation … 30 years to early really!) but they are so catchy and easy to listen to it doesn’t really matter, in fact I think that aided my enjoyment because they actually seemed to fit into the plot rather well. I really liked the way they integrated the ‘band’ into the story, and how the ensemble girls switched between being exactly that and playing their instruments.
I thought the cast was great, I was relieved to enjoy Francesca’s performance as much as I thought I would … that voice is just so so easy on the ears! I also really liked Lauren Hood, again beautiful voice. I wasn’t so so keen on the male leads but that didn’t really matter.
I did refrain from getting up and dancing for the sort of finale numbers, but a lot of the audience did and seemed to be having a ball. Overall I think it’s definitely worth seeing, you won’t be blown away, but its a nice, fun way to pass an afternoon or evening, worth it if only to see Francesca Jackson shine :]