Those wanting to celebrate the work of a well known band or solo artist have a lot to choose from in the West End, whether it is a pop star appearing onstage like when Mel C appeared Blood Brothers or an artist’s work immortalised in a musical like Queen with We Will Rock You. But there are also those that tell a particular story from the band’s history and this provides another opportunity for fans of the band to celebrate their career and output. It goes to show that the West End has a lot to offer when it comes to entertaining music fans at the theatre.
One show that falls into this category is Backbeat at the Duke of York’s Theatre, which tells a story from the early days of The Beatles. Those that have picked up box office theatre tickets will therefore get to explore the relationship between three people – John Lennon, the original bassist of the band Stuart Sutcliffe and the latter’s girlfriend Astrid Kirchher – whilst well known songs from the era amplify the proceedings and make it into a stand-out stage musical. It is a story that was also told in the 1994 movie of the same name and that movie’s director Iain Softley is among those that have brought this show to the Duke of York’s Theatre.
Directing the show is David Levauex, a director who has already worked on numerous London theatre shows over the years. He has directed the likes of The Real Thing at the Albert Theatre (now the Noel Coward theatre), Nine at the Donmar Warehouse and various productions on the other side of the Atlantic. He is also well known or his work with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, making him experienced enough to get a lot out of Backbeat and the story of The Beatles.
So if you want to experience a real-life story about The Beatles whilst also hearing some hit songs of the era – from Long Tall Sally to Twist and Shout – then witnessing Backbeat at the Duke of York’s Theatre is the show for you. It shows that there is plenty in the West End to keep music fans entertained.
Like many forms of entertainment, music is an art that involves a long process of creation to bring a finished product to the listener. It might start with an idea or a thought, then progress into sheet music and written lyrics, before these ideas are fleshed out on a guitar or another instrument. If you are a band it might continue to rehearsals with the full group until everything gels together and the song comes to life. 
