Dreamboys

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{{Short description|Male revue brand with touring theatre shows and nightclub residencies}}

{{Infobox Theatre Group

| bgcolour = #FFFFFF

| name = Dreamboys

| image = Dreamboys 1.jpg

| size = 350px

| caption = The Dreamboys on Tour in 2019

| formed = 1988

| location = United Kingdom

| disbanded =

| homepage = {{URL|http://www.dreamboys.co.uk/}}

| genre = Erotic

}}

Dreamboys is a male revue brand with touring theatre shows and nightclub residencies. It was first created by Bari Bacco who no longer is associated to the present company. Dreamboys is known for its male striptease performances and for its dancers' distinctive toned physiques. The brand currently perform over 600 shows per annum, with over 100 different performers and approximately 250,000 guests in attendance.

Overview

Established in 1987 by Bari Bacco,{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/too-sexy-for-my-shirt-and-trousers-638319.html|title=Too sexy for my shirt (and trousers)|date=October 17, 2000|website=The Independent}} Dreamboys was the first all-male stripping troupe in the UK. Bacco did not allow the Dreamboys to go fully nude in shows due to restrictions imposed by Westminster City Council. "The G-String is the dividing line between Obscenity and Eroticism, Its all what you don't see, not what you do see? Pictures in the mind that keeps the viewer coming back for more".

The Dreamboys first launched at the Peter Stringfellows venue, the London Hippodrome, to an audience of 2000 women. After the success of the show Dreamboys took up permanent residency at Jaquelines nightclub in Wardour St Soho London. Many celebrities visited the show in Soho including Cleo Rocos, Bananarama. The popularity of the Dreamboys followed through to hundreds of performances on television with major stars - Elton, Cliff, Dame Edna, Pamela Anderson, Amy Winehouse and TV charity shows 'Children in Need'. Soon after major tours around the world were booked including Russia, Dubai, Germany, Malta, Denmark, Sweden, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece. Billionaire Philip Green booked the Dreamboys for his 50th Birthday Party in Cyprus. The Dreamboys dressed in Roman Togas performed for the guests along with Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Demis Roussos, George Benson, Earth, Wind & Fire. The Grand Order of Lady Water Ratlings booked the Dreamboys to perform at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Londons Park Lane, for a host of celebrity stars. The evening was compered by Barbra Windsor who introduced the boys performance by saying "Who needs any American Strippers, when we have our own fabulous Dreamboys!". The pinnacle of their showbiz career was a presentation to PRINCESS DIANA and dance sequences with the SPICEGIRLS in the film 'SPICEWORLD'.

As of 2011, Bari Bacco is no longer associated with the Dreamboys.

Each year, the group releases an annual calendar featuring the current Dreamboys.Richardson, Hollie. [https://closeronline.co.uk/celebrity/news/celebs-who-are-now-dreamboys/.html "Jake Quickenden's Dreamboys calendar is here and we feel a bit funny"]{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Closer Online (December 13, 2018)

Touring show

The Dreamboys produce a touring theatre show and have performed in the UK and internationally. The troupe tour the UK with a theatre show combining high-energy dance routines with male striptease and audience participation.Laws, Roz. [https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/legendary-strippers-dreamboys-way-birmingham-13513376 "Legendary strippers The Dreamboys are on their way to Birmingham"] Birmingham Live (August 22, 2017) As of 2017 the lead dancer and choreographer has been Jordan Darrell, a former backing dancer for Rita Ora.Palmer, Bobby. [https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/sex/a10283636/dreamboys-male-stripper "WHAT HAPPENED WHEN ONE NORMAL GUY TRIED TO BECOME A DREAMBOY"] Cosmopolitan UK (July 10, 2017) Various items of merchandise are produced in association with the touring show, including clothing, homewares, theatre programs and calendars.

In 2015 the management of Dreamboys commented that the depiction of male strip shows in Magic Mike XXL was a "public liability claim waiting to happen".Shoard, Catherine. [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/02/magic-mike-xxl-naked-truth-dreamboy-strippers "Magic Mike XXL – strippers' verdict: 'A public liability claim waiting to happen'"] The Guardian (July 2, 2015)

In 2018, the Dreamboys pushed the Guild Hall in Preston into administration, in order to secure funds owed to them by the venue.Palmer, Bobby. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-49368832 "Dreamboys petition put Preston's Guild Hall into administration"] BBC News (August 16, 2019)

Nightclub Residencies

The Dreamboys also perform in resident nightclubs across the UK. In 2018, Dreamboys was involved in a lawsuit over cancelled hen party bookings in Cardiff which they claim “tarnished” their reputation.Strand News Service. [https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/dreamboys-stripper-sue-hen-party-14645127 "Bosses of male stripper show Dreamboys to sue over cancelled hen party bookings in Cardiff"] Wales Online (May 14, 2018)

Notable performers, dancers and hosts

  • Gaz Beadle, reality television personality known for appearing in the MTV reality series Geordie Shore & Ex on the Beach.Terry, Georgina. [https://heatworld.com/celebrity/news/dreamboys-geordie-shore/ "Is it suddenly very hot in here or have Scotty T and Gary Beadle oiled up for a Dreamboys shoot?"] Heat World (March 1, 2016)
  • Scotty T, reality television personality known for appearing in the MTV reality series Geordie Shore & Celebrity Big Brother.Anderson, Alana. [https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/scotty-gaz-beadle-show-bodies-14747365 "Scotty T and Gaz Beadle show off their bodies as they strip off for Dreamboys"] OK Magazine (March 1, 2016)
  • Rogan O'Connor, reality television personality known for appearing on MTV's Ex on the Beach.{{Cite web|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/whats-on-news/ex-beachs-rogan-oconnor-appear-12673158|title=Ex on the Beach's Rogan to appear with The Dreamboys in Coventry|first=James|last=Rodger|date=March 6, 2017|website=coventrytelegraph}}
  • Jake Quickenden, English singer, reality television personality and contestant on The X Factor in 2012 and 2014, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and Dancing on Ice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/whats-on-news/jake-quickenden-joining-dreamboys-heading-1369404|title=Jake Quickenden is joining the DREAMBOYS - and they're heading to the South West|first=Abbie|last=Bray|date=March 22, 2018|website=devonlive}}
  • Dan Osborne, former cast member of The Only Way Is Essex.{{cite web |last1=Welsh |first1=Daniel |title=Dan Osborne Strips Naked And The World Gets A Little Brighter |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/10/dan-osborne-naked-pictures-towie-dreamboys_n_5797114.html |website=HuffPost UK |accessdate=28 November 2019 |language=en |date=10 September 2014}}
  • Zac Smith, contestant on The Bridge, British version of {{Lang|es|El Puente}}.
  • Michael Griffiths, reality television personality known for appearing on Love Island and MTV's Ex on the Beach.
  • Jordan Darrell, choreographer and judge on The Real Dirty Dancing.

References

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