Bringing On Back The Good Times!

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This is the third instalment in the Dreamboats & Petticoats stage franchise. The story follows the continuing trials and tribulations of Bobby and Laura. Enter ‘The Kellys’ – a wondrous vignette featuring a parody of clean-cut 60s trio ‘The Bachelors.’ They spoof the very worst of Eurovision entries with a dreadful number called ‘Whizbang Gang’. The musicians onstage add an extra impressive layer to the piece. Kudos to the on-stage actor-muso’s, especially the very watchable pairing Chloe Edwards Wood and Lauren Chinery, who executed Todd’s choreography with gusto and high energy even with their large saxes in hand! Joe Sterling and Alan Howell who featured in the band, also had some great duets that provided show-stopping moments. The whole cast really shone in the acapella numbers which were a lovely touch. The sparse book by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran makes little attempt to tell a story but is merely a series of sound bites and lifted end-of-pier postcard jokes as a means of joining up the songs. Such as mind numbing links like ‘Bobby and Laura look happy together’ – cue Bobby and Laura sing ‘Happy Together.’ It didn’t help the cause that I had reviewed ‘Beautiful’ the Carole King musical the night before where the talented Douglas McGrath has written a book that is as sharp as it is crisp – lifting and complimenting the huge songbook.

The absolute standout performance of the night was Lauren Anderson-Oakley (playing Sue) singing “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” which was so wrought with passionate emotion it made me cry. A powerhouse performance that showcased a wonderful talent to its fullest effect. In a word, stunning! “Venus In Blue Jeans” was showcased in both a knowing joke (which I won’t spoil) early in the show as well as a welcome return, along with several other hits, from tonight’s bona fide 60’s star turn Mark Wynter (playing Larry the impresario) – proving himself as pleasing an actor as he is a singer. “At The Hop” closed the show in a genuine party atmosphere in the best tradition of The Young Ones! A rousing send off for a fantastic show with a lot to endear it with the music (obviously) but also reveling in the 60s innocent attitude, the clothes etc etc. A feel good show that I have no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending. Hit recording star of Venus in Blue Jeans, Go Away Little Girl, It’s Almost Tomorrow and many more, Mark Wynter, will continue with the company of established Dreamboats and Petticoats favourites from the past fifteen years. I went to the matinee performance today and what can I say other than it was awesome! “Laura” gave me goosebumps with her solo of “You Don’t Own Me”

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The group became frustrated at being treated like teen idols, unable to hear themselves on stage because of the constant screaming and at being pigeonholed as a "pop group". All the A-sides featured heavy orchestral and brass arrangements behind Ellis's vocals, with minimal participation from the others, although they wrote and played on the heavier B-sides themselves. [5] Dreamboats and Petticoats, based on the book by Lawrence Marks and Maurice Gran, should be required viewing by all those who were either there… or wish they had been there to experience for themselves. Morgan Fisher (born Stephen Morgan Fisher, 1 January 1950, Mayfair, London) [6] – keyboards (1968–1971)

a b Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1sted.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p.113. ISBN 0-85112-250-7. Yes, it’s a long-lost England in which the generational void is not so much a gap more a yawning chasm. a b "Love Affair – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. 1 January 1950 . Retrieved 7 December 2012. Every single one of these gloriously talented actors/musicians are stars in the making. I never cease to be amazed at the wealth of young talent that has come through the pandemic and burst forth like a dormant seed frozen for far too long in some ice-bound tundra, but now visibly germinating in a post-covid spring. The group has since been revived, though sometimes without any original members, for cabaret dates; [2] and Ellis has also performed live with a reconstituted Steve Ellis's Love Affair.A final special shout out to audio man Chris Whybrow who delivered a pretty authentic 60s sound – Sheridan Lloyd for magnificent MD-ship and nimble fingered keys, plus my top man – Daniel Kofi Wealthyland – for being the most exciting drummer I’ve heard in a long while. He drove each number with a passion in every beat. Whenever you see a musical production with Bill Kenwright's name on it you know you can expect the best in musical productions!

As Ellis wrote in the booklet notes to a later compilation CD, Singles A's and B's, "In an attempt to break the mould we recorded a song far removed from the anthemic-like previous hits." The song was called "Baby I Know". Released at the end of 1969, competing with releases from other big names for a place in the charts over Christmas, it failed completely. Ellis felt the band had run its course and he left in December 1969 for a solo career: "We never really made it big anywhere but Britain and I think that if we had started to happen in America, I wouldn't have left". [7] In fact, the group had issued top ten singles in several European countries, as well as New Zealand, but indeed never made the charts at all in the US or Canada.LOVE AFFAIR | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com . Retrieved 20 March 2021.