Lennon returns - to the Royal Court
The show will be back in the former Beatles's home city for the first time since its original run at The Everyman in 1982, from where it went off Broadway and then back to London’s West End. Shortly after the West End run in 1986, none other than Michael Jackson bought the rights to the Beatles’ back catalogue, and so the music for the show was unavailable for many years. Writer and director Eaton has been in discussions with Yoko Ono recently to be able to now stage the show. It follows Lennon’s life from Woolton Church Fete to New York, stopping off in Hamburg and at The Cavern along the way. All of the major players in his life appear, from his upbringing with Aunt Mimi to his later life with Yoko Ono.
Packed with the music of Lennon & McCartney, more than 40 hit songs that drive the show, including All You Need Is Love, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, In My Life, Hard Days Night and Imagine.
The older Lennon will be played by 'Court regular Drew Schofield, with Daniel Healy as young Lennon and Stephen Fletcher as Paul McCartney. The full cast includes Chris Grahamson, Adam Keast, Maria Lawson, Paul Mannion, Jonathan Markwood and Nicky Swift. The musical expertise is provided by the Royal Court's musical director Howard Gray.
Kevin Fearon, chief executive of Royal Court Liverpool, said: “I remember the show in its first incarnation and as soon as Bob said that the music was available again I was delighted to be able to bring it back to Liverpool. The show will be an absolute must for fans of John Lennon or The Beatles and we can’t wait for the curtain to go up.
Lennon runs from October 15 to November 13. Tickets and information are available from www.royalcourtliverpool.com or 0870 787 1866.
