'Two of us' by Bob Eaton and Mark McGann at Liverpool's Royal Court
- dramadirect
- Feb 21, 2023
- 2 min read
Wirral Globe Review by Peter Grant, Theatre Critic
JUST imagine...It's the show they never gave together – the pair of them with a little help from their friends. A couple of Quarrymen who later ignited the world when they became Lennon and McCartney ... super-natural songwriters and performers.
They met at a church fete in 1957 and clicked - going on to write as 'one' at their respective final childhood homes: John’s Mendips in Woolton and Paul’s council house at 20 Forthlin Road just a mile away in Allerton. George Harrison joined and then - post-Hamburg and after a roll apprenticeship in the Cavern - Ringo replaced Pete Best and they became the band we have loved for all these years.
Now more than five decades after they split, more books, films, re-mixed releases and documentaries appear as well as tribute acts and stage shows. Here ls the latest and it has premiered in the town where they were born. As a piece of Beatle entertainment it’s hard to beat.
Very fab, indeed and that’s because it comes from those creatives with a track record.
Writer and director Bob Eaton gave us the global smash musical Lennon at the Everyman in 1981 starring Mark McGann who is credited here as co-writer.
And playing John and Paul are two dab hands at performing. Mark Newnham as a laid-back Lennon and Tom Connor with all the Moptop mannerisms of McCartney.
Four musicians under the baton of musical director Howard Gray back up the leading men and they deserve a round of applause - they certainly passed the audition: Adam Keast (bass); Ben Gladwin (Keys) Mike Woodvine (guitar) and Greg Joy (drums).
The instrument-strewn set is a cross between the film studios were they filmed the Get Back sessions and the final Apple rooftop concert. Dialogue is kept to a minimum - almost like aural sub-titles as the two of them talk about their own craft of song writing and there’s nice banter.
You are not overwhelmed with facts, dates and figures. We hear these two friends talk about the loss of their mothers and their mentor - Brian Epstein. We hear about the break up and how ultimately the love you take is equal to the love you make. There are some back-projections - notably old Liverpool accompanying In My Life and there is a poignant visual moment when John and Paul share a piano. This is a two hour Beatle show with a subtle difference - you won’t hear the names George and Ringo mentioned. Very clever – because we all know they are there.
The Beatle songs do not need an introduction the classics from the back catalogue are all here. A rousing finale of Hey Jude and a standing ovation seal a a timeless production.
No costume changes, no wig swaps or explosions – this is a Beatle show with superb harmonies throughout. I could watch it again and again. Yes, it’s that good. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Verdict: Five stars
Thumbs up!
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Two of Us" at Liverpool's Royal Court is a captivating tribute to the iconic Lennon and McCartney partnership. The performances by Mark Newnham and Tom Connor as John and Paul are nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the essence of the Beatles' dynamic. The seamless blend of storytelling and music takes the audience on a nostalgic journey through the duo's collaborative genius.
The production's minimalist approach, focusing on the music and the bond between the two, allows the audience to connect deeply with the narrative. The set design, reminiscent of the "Get Back" sessions and the rooftop concert, further immerses viewers into the Beatles' world.
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