Hall for Cornwall, Monday to Saturday
When Mark Wynter walks on stage in the hit-packed musical Dreamboats and Petticoats, he steps back into the golden era of his youth. The early 1960s were a time when his records were guaranteed a place in the hit parade and teen heart-throb Mark toured all over the world with major artists like the Everly Brothers.
He is a little more mature now – 70 to be precise – with a long stage and TV career on his CV; he has played the male lead in a host of serious West End and touring musicals and plays, but he is more than delighted to be return to his musical roots in a piece he describes as "filled with emotion and fun".
With a finely polished script by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran and the mighty backing of producer Bill Kenwright, Dreamboats and Petticoats has succeeded beyond all expectations by tapping into the unique magic of the period, not least through its soundtrack.
It features a glorious collection of classic tracks like Let's Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby's Girl, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Let's Twist Again, and many more songs that typify the period.
"The tunes are melodic and memorable and a lot of people adore the music of the early 60s. It's not just older folk, hankering after nostalgia, either; there are a lot of younger people who come along and love the show. Some come and see it again and again," says Mark, who plays Phil Croft, father of one of the three main characters and youth club organiser.
"It's a show that really strikes a chord with people," he adds. "It reflects the degrees of vulnerability of young people growing up."
Mark's fans will be delighted to know that as the show draws to a close, he comes out of character to sing three of his hits – the legendary Venus in Blue Jeans, Goffin and King's Go Away Little Girl and his 1963 revival of The Dreamweaver's It's Almost Tomorrow, followed by an ensemble finale.
