Utterly mind-blowing, talented, and amazing!
I wasn’t too sure what to expect if I’m honest, as I’m not the biggest Beatles fan; however, I was astounded by the level of talent on the stage. Was it a play; was it a concert? Well, I think it was an amazing combination of both. In fact, this was so good that I have been playing Beatles tracks all day today.
This fantastic show, with exceptionally talented musicians — four in the main band, and two brilliant writers, actors, and musicians, Tom O’Connor and Mark Newnham — taking on the lead roles both musically and with a narrative, chronologically told the story of the mighty rise of the Lennon and McCartney partnership.
The narrative was a reminder for the die-hard fans but also for the audience who simply loved their music without knowing the full facts about the stratospheric conquest of the music world. Underpinning this was the important message of determined resilience for everyone. The show was engaging, informative, and above all, highly enjoyable.
The play explained with its infamous true ‘Scouse wit’ how each song was born and who took the lead on: lyrics, harmony, chorus, verses, or bridge. Lennon was depicted in the play as more serious with his writing focusing on the poetry of the lyrics; whereas McCartney was more fun-loving and focused on writing upbeat songs about characters. Lennon perfected his lyrics before he picked up his guitar to find a melody that would fit; whereas McCartney, in Lennon’s own words, ‘simply bent over and a tune came out of his arse.’ McCartney didn’t have any special place for his composing and often wrote songs on the bus, in different rooms on his own, and by his admission, ‘anywhere he damn well pleased.’ He found that melodies came easily to him. Both agreed from early on in their career that regardless of who wrote a song or the ‘lion’s share’ of it, each song would be listed as a Lennon and McCartney track. This primarily cemented their writing partnership.
The play was about the musical partnership of two people that met at a fete in Woolton and how fate gave rise to one of the best writing partnerships in the world…ever! There was no mention of Harrison and Starr, and very little mentions, albeit for comedic value, of the wives and girlfriends that shaped the men along life’s journey. The two maestros’ children also failed to receive a mention; however, there was a section that heavily discussed the traumatising effect of the death of Lennon’s mother, Julia. The song he wrote for her was performed in a hauntingly atmospheric manner, giving it gravitas.
The Lennon and McCartney songbook covered the early days of their career; through to the admiration they had for Brian Epstein; their immense feelings of loss following his death at thirty-two and the psychedelic album, Sgt. Pepper.
O’Connor and Newnham mastered the looks, mannerisms, and voices of the two icons. Whether a Beatles lover or not, this is a must-see show.
Tickets can be booked online here, in person, or by telephone. There is no excuse as there are many offers on. What are you waiting for? Get your tickets before the show ends on 6th April.
Photo Credit: Andrew AB Photography
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