I defy anyone to watch Dreamboats And Petticoats and leave without a warm glow and a spring in your step.

The musical, created by Birds Of A Feather writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, was inspired by a range of hugely successful albums charting the early years of rock and roll in the 1950s and 1960s in the UK.

Set in Essex in 1961, it depicts an altogether more innocent time when teenagers met in church youth clubs and table tennis was the game of choice. Adolescent passions remain the same whatever generation, though, and the musical follows a group of teens as they fall in and out of love.

Bobby, beautifully played by Greg Fossard, is a shy, musical lad who wants to be a pop star. He falls in love with brassy blonde Sue, played by Louise Olley, who hasn’t even noticed him. Bobby hasn’t realised that his best friend’s kid sister, speccy Laura, only has eyes for him.

The show is full of energy and the young cast are impressive as they perform all the music as well as sing, dance and act.

Hannah Boyce, who plays Laura, shines as the schoolgirl who blossoms into a sweet 16, and Roger Martin as the sensible adult among the teens brings a knowing nod to the youthful exuberance.