IT’S 1961 and – unlike the stereotypical ’60s images of mini-skirts, Mini cars and hippies – young men are considered “dreamboats” and girls wear dresses with voluminous, swirling “petticoats”.

Featuring 17 talented performers and more than 40 great pop songs – all played live – this is an entertaining show loaded with historical and sociological detail.

Set in a youth club, with pingpong, teenage angst, and song-writing competitions, young couples struggle to harness their hormones.

Particularly outstanding are Matthew Colthart as the edgy, arrogant lead singer, and Hannah Boyce as the gauche, specky 14- year-old schoolgirl who transforms into an effervescent pretty 16-yearold – cue She Was Only Sixteen and Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.

This production is packed with period touches, from toffee apples, candyfloss, £5 weekly wages, and the contraceptive role of barber shops (“Anything for the weekend sir? Buy me and stop one!”), through literary references to Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Catcher In the Rye, to humorous contemporary digs: “When I leave school I want to work in a bank; everyone looks up to bankers!”

The live band (rather “group”) is terrific with an authentic sound and aspirations.

Especially effective are the a cappella numbers Poetry In Motion and Donna.

Hula hoops, new cars “with a radio – and a heater!” and onstage dodgem cars (I so want one!) blend with lively versions of Do You Wanna Dance, Da Do Ron Ron and At the Hop to produce a fun, feelgood musical.

Dreamboats and Petticoats runs until Saturday. Click here for tickets>>