EPSTEIN PLAY ANNOUNCED AS PART OF HOMOTOPIA ARTS FESTIVAL

The producers of the long-awaited new production ‘EPSTEIN - The Man Who Made The Beatles’, have announced that the play is now officially part of Liverpool’s established annual Homotopia international arts festival, which runs throughout November in venues across the city.

Homotopia is an annual festival of local, national and international LGB&T (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) arts & culture and have co-commissioned the writing of the play and also forms part of Homotopia’s official 2012 programme. ‘EPSTEIN - The Man Who Made The Beatles’ is brought to you by Bill Elms & Jen Heyes Productions Ltd (Tales from Haunted Liverpool, Tales From Charles Dickens), written by Andrew Sherlock (Wall Talks and The Shankly Show) and created and directed by Jen Heyes (Blood Wedding, RLPO Spirit of Christmas and Wall Talks).

Gary Everett, Artistic Director of Homotopia said “Homotopia is thrilled to be involved with the forthcoming EPSTEIN production. Andrew Sherlock has written a very stylish piece and we are proud that it's one of the brand new commissions at this year’s Homotopia festival. Brian Epstein was a true genius who made a significant contribution to popular culture. The play is a timely reminder of this.”

‘EPSTEIN The Man Who Made The Beatles’ is the opening highlight of the newly refurbished 380 seat Epstein Theatre (formerly The Neptune) named after Brian and will raise the curtain from 15 Nov – 1 Dec 2012. The play is also part of the official programme of Liverpool’s 50th Anniversary of The Beatles.

Bill Elms, Co-Producer of Epstein said “Jen and I are grateful to Gary and the Homotopia team for co-commissioning the writing of the production, Gary has been enthusiastic and supported the creation of the project from the early idea stages many years ago, we are proud that the production is part of this ever-growing LGB&T arts festival.”

The two-hander multi-media play charts Brian Epstein’s adult life and illustrious career from his drama school days to managing the world’s biggest pop group. Brian’s short life was crammed with success and controversy; an intelligent man whose presence, taste, vision and passion left a lifelong impact on the world. Born in Liverpool in 1934 to Jewish descent and openly homosexual, he spent his early adult life working for the family business NEMS (North End Music Stores), between being drafted into the Royal Army Service Corps and moving to London to joining RADA and living a more openly gay life, he returned to Liverpool to manage the new NEMS city centre music store making it one of the biggest in the North. Not long after was the historic lunchtime visit to the famous Cavern Club to hear four Liverpool lads perform and the rest was history. Brian died in 1967 of an accidental overdose at the age of 32.

Brian Epstein was best known as a music entrepreneur and legendary manager of The Beatles and was the person responsible for their rise to mega-stardom all over the world. He also managed other popular artists such as Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer, The Foremost, The Dakotas and Cilla Black.

EPSTEIN The Play is sponsored by Gregory Abrams Davidson LLP Solicitors (Mathew Street and Penny Lane).

The production partners: The Cavern, The Beatles Story, Hard Days Night Hotel, Magical Mystery Tour, Fab Cabs Beatles Tours, Annexe Inc and Liverpool Echo.

The official charity of production is C.A.L.M.

More information on Epstein the Play can be found at www.epsteintheplay.com

LISTING INFORMATION

EPSTEIN the Play

The Epstein Theatre

Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DY

Thu 15 November – Sat 1 December 2012

Preview Performances: 15-17 November 2012

Thu and Sat Matinees: 2.30pm | Mon – Sat Evenings: 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: £10-£24 (Concessions Available)

How to Book:

Box Office: 0844 8000 410* or 0844 888 4411. Online at www.ticketquarter.co.uk* or www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk* or or in person at the TicketQuarter, Queens Square, Liverpool*

*Subject to booking fee.