Direct from the West End – via some scenic adjustments and a cast reshuffle – “Dreamboats and Petticoats” hits the Cambridge Arts Theatre stage with more energy and fizz than a bottle of Tizer.

Though the odd line was dropped and the sound operator was occasionally slow to pick up on which character was speaking or singing, the show is an absolute winner. To be honest, it would be a challenge not to be when you consider the immense music Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran have woven into their storyline – top hits including “Let’s Dance”, “Poetry In Motion”, and “Teenager In Love” powerfully tempt the audience to hum along; indeed, the utterly inebriated ladies sitting in row G were unable to resist such temptation and ended up hurling themselves at the stage by the end of the performance. They were in their 60s and no doubt behaved in such ways when the songs first came out, so I suppose it’s only fair... Nevertheless, the rest of the audience did manage to successfully control those bouncing knees and tapping toes and could enjoy the show from their seats.

The storyline – in true “Mamma Mia”, “We Will Rock You” and “Jersey Boys” fashion – is predictably loose and clichéd, and no one minded one iota. The audience lapped up the awkward advances made by the cringe-worthy boys on their love interests, and bobbed along merrily to the rocking tunes that talk of love triangles, heartbreak and teenage infatuation. Luckily for those who weren’t able to catch the thread of the plot, our resident drunks were able to provide assistance with helpful explanations and commentary – it is worth noting their commendable consideration of any deaf members of the audience...

The music was brilliantly loud – just the way Rock ‘n’ Roll should be – and the singing was generally excellent. I particularly enjoyed Hannah Boyce’s performance as Laura; from a timid, side-lined younger sister, Laura becomes a star of the show and Boyce’s voice is perfect for the role. “Dreamboats and Petticoats” is Boyce’s professional debut and if this is anything to go by the West End will be seeing a lot of her very soon.

If the music wasn’t enough to make you want to mashed-potato back to the ‘60s, the clothes certainly did the trick. I defy any girl to look at those dresses without experiencing an urgent pang of desire, even a need, to try one on (petticoat and all) and twirl around. Speaking of needs, our enthusiastic boozers from row G seemed to demonstrate an uncontrollable impulse to fling themselves at the stage in the vain hope of a twirl with ‘60s pop-star Mark Wynter (playing the roles of Phil and Older Bobby). Wynter returns to his musical roots and sings three of his top-40 singles in the show. Though he stumbled over a few of his lines, Wynter’s singing performance was great and it was easy to forget that he was at least one generation older than the rest of the cast, with his voice booming around the theatre and his dancing feet showing no signs of age!

If you fancy treating yourself to some feel-good fun this May Week you need only “Dream Baby Dream” and head on down to the Arts Theatre for some “Shakin’ All Over” “At The Hop”! “Dreamboats and Petticoats” is performing at the Cambridge Arts Theatre all week until Saturday 22 June.