Dreamboats and Miniskirts - Milton Keynes Theatre 
6th October - 11th October 2014

This new musical, the sequel to the smash hit Dreamboats and Petticoats is set to be as equally as successful.

Dreamboats and miniskirts story moves onto the "Swinging Sixties" (1962 and 1963 to be precise) when British pop really took centre stage.

It was the dawn of the era of the miniskirt, courtesy of fashion icon Mary Quant in '64, Twiggy and of course the birth of The Beatles.

The same characters are all here, Bobby (Alex Beaumont) and Laura (Elizabeth Carter) Norman (Ross William Wild) and Sue (Louise Olley) and not forgetting Ray (David Luke) and Donna (Anna Campkin).

Bobby and Laura are in the midst of a somewhat dwindling recording career when on a live television show Bobby is made a fool of and ends with the sugary sweet couple parting as a duo...

Bobby decides to join Ray and the other members of the band The Conquests, enlisting the newly married with baby on the way, Norman.  The band are waiting for that one hit...their BIG break...but will they make it??  Laura is picked for solo stardom, will she make top of the pops??

Of course they do - this is a saccharine rich feel good musical where every boy gets their girls AND everyone gets a record deal!

As I looked around the auditorium it was easy to see that the majority of the audience didn't need to read all about the '60's quite as intently as I did - they were chatting, exchanging memories because they had lived it, loved it and it was clear they were here to have a really good time.

This musical just bursts with 60's hits (far too many to mention) they come thick and fast - all performed live throughout and brilliantly so.  The vocal talents of all the leads is undeniable, particularly the brilliant and powerful Louise Olley as Sue.

The stand out performances of the night had to be Chloe Edwards-Wood (Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet) and Charlotte Peak (Bass Saxophone/Flute).  When the girls strutted their stuff on the stage it was hard to believe just how good they were, to be able to sing, dance and act whilst playing at the same time - they made it look effortless.

The whole cast are uber talented and with each up beat number after the other, they gave it their all, injecting such energy to the story.

I particularly loved the rendition of "Twist and Shout" performed by The Liverpool Foursome with the Cavern Club as the back drop , the performance was outstanding and I wanted more!

A mention must also to the whole cast who mesmerized the audience with an a cappella version of "You Really Got a Hold On Me" - utterly brilliant.

The story is a little loose, but it holds the string of hits together nicely.  Dreamboats and Miniskirts has some very funny one liners - delivered well, music that will have your feet tapping throughout and vocal/musical talent in abundance.

The only one criticism to this production is that, I and my fellow theatre goers were itching to get up and dance. All were waiting to be invited to jump up out of their seats, I could see the expectation in all of the faces around me - "Hippy Hippy Shake" was the penultimate song, the cast took their curtain call, came back out again and the much awaited moment we had waited for had arrived...

...only for the cast to sing a slow love song "When You're Young and In Love". 

It was very beautifully sung, but I think they missed a trick with not engaging the audience for the last song, to allow the buzz of an up tempo song to still be resonating in their ears as they left the auditorium. 

Go to see this show for the live music and talent on stage, not the story and you won't be disappointed.

Enjoy!

Lily B x

What's coming up at Milton Keynes Theatre?...read the reviews here as they hit the stage over the coming months and book your tickets to a fantastic night out!

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

The sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats. What happened to ‘Bobby & Laura’ and ‘Norman & Sue’…? Their story continues inspired by the 7 smash hit multi-million selling albums of Dreamboats and Petticoats. It’s 1963, and the world is changing. Bobby and Laura’s single Dreamboats and Petticoats has not taken off. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss – and a baby! But Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy… The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational. But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom – Norman to “get off the drains” and find that singing voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a really top pop act!? All will be revealed in a follow up with the same wit, charm, and great songs as Dreamboats and Petticoats. Many of the songs are from the next period in pop history…

Dirty Dancing

The Classic Story on Stage. An unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing. Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping I've Had The Time of My Life. Don't miss your chance to see this truly spectacular musical theatre event. You'll have the time of your life.

Fastest selling West End show in history!

Recommended for ages 14+

English National Ballet - Swan Lake

The story of Prince Siegfried’s love for the Swan Queen Odette, their battle against the evil sorcerer, Rothbart, and a fateful encounter with the manipulative Odile is revealed in English National Ballet’s acclaimed production of Swan Lake. Beloved for its exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s glorious music, played by the Orchestra of English National Ballet, this Swan Lake is a thrill for the dedicated ballet fan or first-time ballet-goer.

Glyndebourne on Tour - La Traviata

Transferring direct from Glyndebourne’s renowned summer festival, a new production of Verdi’s masterpiece - the story of a ‘fallen woman’ who, in the shadow of death, grasps life and lives it to the full. Intensely passionate and tragic, La traviata remains one of the most popular operas of all time. Written by Verdi at the peak of his powers, it is lyrical, heartbreaking and unforgettable, appealing directly to the emotions and resulting in an opera that invents itself anew for every generation.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Calamity Jane

Following numerous highly acclaimed productions that include Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard, The Watermill Theatre returns with a new production of the classic musical Calamity Jane. Starring Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, Spamalot and One Man Two Guvnors) alongside a cast of multi-talented actor/musicians, this brand new production gets to the heart and soul of the musical. Calamity Jane can outrun and out shoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago on the Deadwood Stage to recruit a star, Adelaide Adams. But things don’t go too smoothly for Calamity, as everyone in town favours the new girl and she struggles to keep her jealousy and pride in check. It takes her long standing enemy Wild Bill Hickok to make her see sense, and realise her Secret Love…

With an Oscar nominated score that includes The Black Hills of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), Just Blew in from the Windy City and the Award winning song Secret Love, don’t miss this new production which blows into your city for one week only.

Peter Pan

Taking a break from our TV screens in hit series’ such as Law & Order UK and The Chase,  your favourite funny man Bradley Walsh is set for a spectacular return to Milton Keynes Theatre after smashing Box Office records in Cinderella (2006) and Aladdin (2007)! Leading an all-star cast as Smee, Captain Hook’s hapless first mate, in the tale of Peter Pan, this year’s pantomime will be a magical delight for families of all ages– and there will definitely be some fun to be had for those big kids who never grew up!

Joining Bradley on the decks of the Jolly Roger after soaring to fame in Britain’s Got Talent will be Street Dance sensations Flawless  as a group of pop-locking, hip-hopping  pirates as you have never seen them before. With a national tour with English National Ballet and two hit movies under their belts, expect to see some ‘moon-walking’ the plank with this motley crew!

Get ready with your loudest boo and hiss, as no panto is complete without its dastardly villain, and there is no bigger baddie in all of Neverland than this year’s Captain Hook, David Bedella (Rocky Horror Show, Jerry Springer The Opera).

To book tickets to any of the above productions go to: WWW.ATGTICKETS.COM/MILTONKEYNES
or call Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652