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For fans of 1960’s pop idols such as Roy Orbison, Billy Fury, The Shadows and Chuck Berry to name but a few, the feel good musical Dreamboats and Petticoats, is a really nostalgically entertaining show.  The story focuses on the relationships of a group of teenagers - some of whom dream of winning a song writing competition.  On our pre-show touch tour visually impaired audience members and their companions, were taken on stage where describers Jonathan Nash and Julia Grundy talked about the 2 principle locations – the youth club and the fairground at Southend.  We were also shown some of the props like the dodgem car and the many advertising hoardings, reminding people of popular products of 1961.

Back in the Hippodrome foyer, the ever helpful, Philippa Clark from the front of house team, distributed the all important headsets before we took our seats to tune in to the ‘live’ pre-show notes with the usual informative details of cast, characters and costumes, plus a description of the set which was particularly useful for those who were unable to get to the theatre in time to go behind the stage, 90 minutes before curtain-up.  The musical’s happy feel was reflected in Jonathan and Julia’s lively description of the antics of the impressive, young and energetic cast, as they sang and danced the evening away to so many of the 60’s favourite pop tunes.  Perhaps not surprisingly by the end of the show, the audience were on their feet bopping away and singing along, and for many there it was clearly a very enjoyable trip down memory lane.

The next audio-described performances at the Birmingham Hippodrome are the extremely popular Calendar Girls on the matinee of 3 July, and the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music starring Connie Fisher on the afternoon of Saturday 7 August, and details on ticket prices, how to book headsets and places on the touch tour, can be obtained from the box office on 0844 338 5000.