Our theatre man Paul Phear lets us know what he thinks about the new West End show about The Beatles
Paul says...
Let it Beatles?
“Jukebox Musicals” come is roughly four different types. Documentary (Jersey Boys – excellent), narrative (Mamma Mia – great fun), historical (Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas – my favourite back for Christmas again this year) and like this new Beatles show, tributes.
Let It Be doesn’t try to construct a story from the songs or tell the history of the band. It takes a headlong run at the hits, From Me To You to Hey Jude and nearly everything in between. Opening with a cute historical nod, the voice of the real Tony Blackburn introduces their televised Royal Variety Performance in ’63 at the very same Prince of Wales theatre we are now sitting in nearly 50 years later. Lennon’s cheeky “rattle your jewellery” line is remembered in one of the few moments that could be called dialogue.
The different musical and social eras are represented with costume and set changes, from the Shea stadium in the USA to Abbey Road recording studios, and there are live shots of the band on two giant television screens either side of the stage. These worked best in the psychedelic and Sergeant Pepper sections.
Played loud and live some of their familiar songs took on a striking new dimension and it all sounds amazing and is pleasingly rock concert loud too. The performers I saw were very effective, “George” was a brilliant guitarist, but there’s a rolling cast so you may see a different fab four and on stage musical director to the group I saw.
I’m sure most people who will see this show know the story of how they formed and the pressures that broke them up, and you certainly won’t find any of that recorded here. But for a night of nostalgia that’s both affectionate and accurate, Beatles fans will find plenty to ‘love love love’ in this greatest hits show.
