Details

Backbeat is the story of the fifth Beatle, Stuart Sutcliffe (the band's original bassist), and the two most important people in his life: John Lennon and Astrid Kirchherr. Re-imagined for the stage by the original writer and director of the acclaimed 1994 film, Iain Softley. This production of Backbeat is a passionate and vivid portrayal of a love story born out of the famous summer when The Beatles made their name in the city of Hamburg. Inseparable friends, John and Stuart become entwined in a fiery triangular relationship as Stuart falls madly in love with Astrid. John forces Stuart to choose between his deep loyalty for John, a future with the greatest band in history or following his heart and pursuing a life as an artist with the woman of his dreams.

Cast/Performers

Nick Blood (Stuart Sutcliffe), Andrew Knott (John Lennon), Ruta Gedmintas (Astrid Kirchherr), Daniel Healy (Paul Mccartney), William Payne (George Harrison), Oliver Bennett (Pete Best), Adam Sopp (Tony Sheridan / Ringo Starr), Dominic Rouse (Klaus Voorman), Ben Fox (Arthur Ballard / Bert Kaempfert), James Wallace (George Martin)

Creatives/Company

Author(s): Iain Softley, Stephen Jeffreys
Producer: Karl Sydow
Director: David Leveaux
Musical Director: Paul Stacey
Design(s): Christopher Oram, Andrew D Edwards
Lighting(s): Howard Harrison, David Holmes
Sound(s): Paul Groothuis, Ed Clarke