Dreamboats and Petticoats Will Return to West End in 2010

By Mark Shenton
17 Nov 2009

Dreamboats and Petticoats, a musical inspired by a pair of compilation albums featuring some of the greatest hits songs from the rock 'n' roll era, is to return to the West End, resuming performances at the Playhouse Theatre from Jan. 6, 2010, after the current tenant, La Cage Aux Folles, vacates the theatre Jan. 2.

The original West End run of the show played the Savoy Theatre July 22-Oct. 31, 2009; it had initially booked an eight-week run only through Sept. 13, but was subsequently extended. It has closed to make way for the arrival of Legally Blonde – the Musical, which begins performances Dec. 5.

The show is based around hit songs from the two eponymous compilation albums — the first was one of the biggest selling albums of the decade, amassing 600,000-plus sales since it was released in 2007, while its sequel album reached number two in the charts within the first week of its release. Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran have created an original story to house the songs.

According to publicity materials, it is 1961 and emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national songwriting competition, and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue. But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock 'n' roll fame beckons.

Marks and Gran, the TV writers behind such hits as "Birds of a Feather," "Goodnight Sweetheart," "Shine on Harvey Moon," "Love Hurts," "The Last Laugh" and "The New Statesman," have previously adapted the latter for the stage, which after premiering at Brighton's Theatre Royal in April 2006 subsequently came to the West End's Trafalgar Studios.

The musical features songs from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and more, including "Let's Dance," "To Know Him Is To Love Him," "Shaking All Over," "In Dreams," "Bobby's Girl," "Three Steps To Heaven," "Little Town Flirt," "Only Sixteen," "Runaround Sue," "Happy Birthday Sweet 16," "What a Wonderful World," "Let's Twist Again" and "Come on Everybody."

The show is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with Universal Music. It is directed by Bob Tomson, with musical supervision by Keith Strachan, choreography by Carole Todd, design by Sean Cavanagh, lighting by Mark Howett and sound by Ben Harrison. The executive producer is Brian Berg.

"Dreamboats and Petticoats 3" – the third album in the series – was released Nov. 2, and went straight to the No. 1 spot in the compilation charts. A separate national tour of the production will also continue in 2010.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 871 7631, or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/dreamboats