This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of the ground-breaking Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the third-best-selling album in UK chart history and a focal point of ‘A Life with the Beatles’, which follows the story of The Fab Four from the unique perspective of Neil Aspinall, who served the band for 46 years, from driver to CEO of Apple Corps – always by their side, knew everyone and everything.
The collaborating Edinburgh based companies Siege Perilous and Orange Girl Productions are fronting a Scottish Tour of the show, which kicks off at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 17 & 18 February, and there’s a healthy smattering of Scottish connections in the script which takes in the band’s early visits.
After great success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and King’s Head Theatre, London in 2015, veteran Glasgow-based actor Ian Sexon reprises his effervescent energy in this intimate, hour long solo drama. He depicts the progression of the band from initial formation to the period after their manager, Brian Epstein’s death, jumping in and out of the characters along the way in Davide Verazzini’s charming play, who also has a biography about Aspinall – “L'ultimo Beatle - Neil Aspinall, dietro le quinte del mito" – due to be published in Italy, April 2017.
A fab excuse for Beatles fans to wallow in nostalgia or the perfect entry point for someone needing a brief history of the quintessential band from a close source; either way, a great night of theatre is guaranteed.
At the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Fri 17 & Sat 18 February, 7.30pm & 2.30pm (matinee Sat only) then touring.
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/199559575
Lindsay Corr is Marketing and Communications Manager for TRACS, which is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre