Monday, August 1

Backbeat Beatles' Musical heading for West End

Backbeat was an award-winning 1994 British film about the early years of the Beatles. There is now a stage version written by the film’s creator Iain Softley which is opening Duke of York's on 11th October (previews from 24th September) and is currently booking until 24th March 2012.

 Backbeat takes place during the Beatles “Hamburg Years” in the early 1960s before they were famous. It centres on a love triangle between Stuart Sutcliffe (the band’s original bass guitarist) his best friend and lead guitarist John Lennon and beatnik German photographer Astrid Kirchherr.

Struggling with divided loyalties, Sutcliffe eventually chose Astrid and art over the Beatles and handed over his guitar to Paul McCartney just before Beatlemania took off. Sutcliffe died of a brain haemorrhage in Hamburg shortly after leaving the band. His portrait featured on the Beatles’ album cover for Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

The stage play received its world premiere at Glasgow Citizens Theatre in February 2010 when Alex Robertson and Isabella Calthorpe starred as Sutcliffe and Kirchherr, with Andrew Knott (John Lennon), Daniel Healy (Paul McCartney), Jamie Blackley (George Harrison) and Oliver Bennett (Pete Best). The Beatles principals are expected to reprise their roles in the West End.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I went to see this show in London this week and thought it was amazing. I haven't been to a show for ages so took my dad and I can honestly say I'm so glad I did. The story was gripping and the actors playing Lennon and Stuart were fantastic. We had such a great time, I'd definitely recommend it.

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