FOLLOWING the success of Dreamboats and Petticoats, this lively new show picks up on the story of sweethearts and singing duo Bobby and Laura as they embark on the London music scene of the early 1960s only to discover their romance and careers are in for a rocky ride.

Packed with hits of the period, it has the same formula, with a storyline providing the emotional cue for each song.

As the pair begin to feel they are destined to be a one-hit wonder, their old band pals set out on the road again, persuading former lead singer Norman (a strong-voiced Ross William Wild) back from his humdrum job, along with Bobby (Alex Beaumont) armed with a song he has filched from Laura (Elizabeth Carter), thus propelling her into success as a Sandie Shaw lookalike solo vocalist.

Performed by a 16-strong cast of multi-talented musicians, actor singers and dancers, the show starts by revealing how rock and roll had become standard by the time The Beatles burst on to the scene.

The London band’s gig in Liverpool’s famous Cavern and their stunned encounter with the soon-to-be Fab Four is done with amusing Lennon and McCartney mannerisms amid the shock of the wild new sound heralded by Twist and Shout.

This ups the tempo and paves the way for performances of new music coming in from the US, including an outstanding rendition of The House of the Rising Sun. A compelling new arrangement for this classic and indeed for most of the songs gives them and the show fresh appeal.

Other song highlights are Alex Beaumont’s voicing of anguish in It’s Over, Elizabeth Carter’s moving determination in You Don’t Own Me and the full cast’s vocal harmonising unaccompanied by instrumental backing in You Really Got a Hold On Me.

Pru Farrier