BWW Reviews: DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS, New Wimbledon Theatre, July 29 2013

I was definitely born in the wrong era. If I could get a DeLorean out and go back to the past it would be to 1955 and to the birth of rock and roll: when men wore quiffs and leather jackets and Bill Haley's 'Rock Around the Clock' was released.

Thank goodness then for the Ambassador Theatre Group's production of 'Dreamboats and Petticoats' currently showing at the New Wimbledon Theatre.

Our main characters dance the hop in the youth club, share Coke from a glass bottle and learn about falling in love to a soundtrack featuring classics such as 'Let's Twist Again,' 'To Know Him is to Love Him,' and 'C'mon Everybody.'

Featuring Mark Wynter in two roles, the professional pop star revisits a magical time at the start of his career when he had nine top 40 singles including 'Venus in Blue Jeans,' 'It's Almost Tomorrow,' and 'Go Away Little Girl,' all of which he reprises in Dreamboats and Petticoats.

At its heart a love story (with the obligatory musical partner swapping), the songs drive the performances with an amazing live band on stage featuring guitars, saxophones, drums, bass and trumpet - there's a note both in the programme and announced on stage that the performance is live, in case you couldn't work it out - this point really doesn't need to be made as its clear the cast are hugely talented, not only can they play but sing and dance with their instruments.

Stephen Rolley takes the role of Bobby, a romantic earnest young chap (think Simon from The Inbetweeners), he wastes his talent at school dreaming of a career as a professional rock star.

Bowled over by the town tart Sue (Louise Olley), Bobby takes his eye off his song writing duties with sweet soon to be sixteen Laura (Hannah Boyce) and becomes embroiled in a love rivalry with Norman (Matthew Colthart).

These leads are ably supported by Will Finlason and Laura Sillett in the roles of their friends.

Written by BAFTA-winning comedy script writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran (Birds of a Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart), the show contains plenty of laughs and the idyllic staging is vintage fairgrounds and the all important heart of the community youth club.

The audience at New Wimbledon was an older generation but this show will appeal to all ages or those who unfortunately haven't unlocked the secret of time travel.

Until Saturday 3 August, New Wimbledon Theatre.

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