Monday 30 July 2012

The Beatelles Get Back to the Cavern!

An iconic venue, the magic of Beatles music and an added touch of glamour.

Photo: Cara-lee Paterson

It can only mean one thing: the Beatelles, Liverpool's all-female Beatles tribute act are back in the Cavern!



The band -- Catherine Cook on rhythm guitar, Louisa Roach on bass guitar, Stephanie Kennedy on lead guitar and Sian Monaghan on drums -- entertained an  appreciate and enthusiastic crowd yesterday with three sets of fabulous music.




The sets covered the full range of the Beatles repertoire, from the early years to songs from the rooftop, with songs from the White Album featuring strongly.  Original arrangements were mixed in with songs played 'straight' and when you add this to some fun choreography and a handful of other musical classics from the 60s to the 80s, you get three hours of outstanding musical entertainment that had the Cavern Club rocking.  The set concluded with a wonderful version of “Helter Skelter”, combining both the Anthology interpretation with the White Album version.



The Beatelles are not only all wonderfully talented musicians, but also really lovely people who perform with grace, dignity, and sheer professionalism. It is always a pleasure and a privilege to watch them play.




And luckily, we have lots to look forward to!  The Beatelles will be back in the Cavern on August 12 and 19 (times to be confirmed; check the Cavern website, www.cavernclub.org nearer the time), and will be performing at various venues throughout International Beatles Week in Liverpool.




They are also performing at the Scarborough Beatles Festival in September (click HERE to buy tickets at a special rate).


For more information on the Beatelles, click here



Review: RAM, Paul McCartney


Review by Catherine Cook
The Beatelles


Artist/Album title: RAM by Paul MCCARTNEY 2012
Label: Apple, EMI

Genre: Rock

RAM is an album that was originally released in 1971, the only album credited to Paul and Linda.

It is set against the backdrop of the legal action taking place with regards to the dissolution of The Beatles partnership and following their break-up. It is also an album that reflects a very important chapter in his life with his love, Linda.

Listening to this album you can hear that the lyrics clearly convey Paul's various emotions throughout.  The accompanying music is a memorising, undulating fusion from early Rock and roll influences through to the open, soft rock sounds of his later work. 

With instruments like the Ukulele appearing more and more in the charts today, and used predominantly on 'Ram On', RAM could almost certainly be a modern day album. It is made up of an array of songs designed around the small pleasures in life, accompanied by huge enjoyable melodies. 

Remastered for renewed enjoyment, It certainly will capture a range of new fans.

It is an album that makes me wish I was with Paul and his family during the writing and recordings due to its personal, and sometimes unofficially controversial, (3 Legs), lyrics.

Recommended for the more established McCartney fan is my particular favourite, Uncle Albert.  The melodic harmonies echo memories of times gone by and this is highly reflected in this Number 1 single.  Popular for its sound effects, it was also remembered for its appearance on the classic British series 'Only Fools and horses'.
As a recommendation for McCartney Virgins, I would select Monkberry Moon Delight, Eat At Home and Smile Away. Full of humour, hints of Sir Paul’s rock and roll foundations and intensely tuneful. 

Rating:
Shamefully this is my first time listening to this album, but I cannot wait to upload this onto my i-pod, so that on a rainy day in this British summer time, I have something to brighten my day. This album is a must-have classic and emotionally beautiful. My verdict is 10/10 and how could it not be? 

Track Listing

Too Many People 4:11
3 Legs 2:48
Ram On 2:31
Dear Boy 2:15
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey 4:55
Smile Away 3:53
Heart Of The Country 2:24
Monkberry Moon Delight 5:26
Eat At Home 3:23
Long Haired Lady 6:05
Ram On 0:55
The Back Seat Of My Car 4:31
Another Day 3:42
Oh Woman, Oh Why 4:35


Beatle5 - Ulverston, August 10


Friday 27 July 2012

RECORD BREAKING SING-A-LONG IN LIVERPOOL TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ‘LOVE ME DO’



Thousands expected to attend mass participation event at the city’s Albert Dock

Fans of The Fab Four will flock to Liverpool from all over the world this October to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles debut single ‘Love Me Do’ by becoming world record breakers!

Organised by the award-winning Beatles Story attraction and Albert Dock Liverpool, the mass participation event will take place on Friday October 5th 2012. The spectacular stunt is expected to attract thousands of people to the city - all eager to play their role in creating a moment of Beatle history.

Organisers are currently finalising the specifics of the mass participation world record-breaking attempt that will be officially adjudicated on the day by Guinness World Records©.

Fans and participants can register their interest at www.lovemedoweekend.com.

The world record attempt will kick start the Love Me Do Weekend at Liverpool’s historic Albert Dock where bars and restaurants will offer diverse musical entertainment, bespoke food and drink offers as well as a unique Love Boat experience taking place on the water.

The weekend will take centre-stage in a year-long season of events that have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to Liverpool for a series of groundbreaking Beatles-themed cultural shows and concerts. These events include a special Merseybeat tribute as part of the 20th Mathew Street Music Festival, an exclusive 50th anniversary party at The Cavern Club, and a newly commissioned one man play about the life of Brian Epstein at the newly named Epstein Theatre.

Jerry Goldman, MD of Beatles Story says:

“This is a unique opportunity to mark the 50th anniversary of the recorded debut of the greatest group the world has ever seen. And no self-respecting Beatles fan will want to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of Beatle history.

“It stands to reason that here in Liverpool we would attempt something bold and exciting to mark the exact day ‘Love Me Do’ was released – a new World Record!

“But we can’t do it by ourselves. We need fans from all over the world to come to the city of Liverpool on October 5th 2012 and be part of a fantastic project that we hope will smash a world record and tell the world once again what a great, fun city Liverpool is.”

Liverpool City Council is supporting the record breaking attempt.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:

“Liverpool is known world wide for making and breaking musical records, and Guinness World Records© even named the city world capital of pop, so it is fitting that this latest world record attempt should be held here.

“This is a great way to launch the Love Me Do weekend and I urge all music fans young and old to head to the Albert Dock and take part in what promises to be an exciting weekend.

“I hope everyone involved has fun and I wish them every success in their record breaking attempt.”

Peter Cronin, Business Development Manager at Albert Dock Liverpool said:

“The Beatles and Albert Dock Liverpool both play huge parts in Liverpool’s heritage and cultural offer. This makes Albert Dock Liverpool the perfect backdrop for this record breaking event and we look forward to hosting it." 

'Playing at Trains' - copyright Paul Berriff

NB: all images are used here with the permission of the copyright holder.  Please do not download or use any images without the express permission of the copyright holder.

To learn more about The Beatles Hidden Gallery by Paul Berriff at The Beatles Story, click here


Competition: Can you find Ringo in time for the Olympic Concert?





To download a pdf of the competition, go to http://issuu.com/bbfc/docs/olympics_2012_bbfc_contest

Thursday 26 July 2012

Danbury Fields Forever


THIS SATURDAY it's finally here: "Danbury Fields Forever" Beatles Fans Music Festival! The world's greatest music which will "Come Together" this Saturday, July 28, at Ives Concert Park, 43 Lake Avenue Ext. in Danbury, CT featuring 10 bands over 10 hours.

Featured acts include The Beatles Forever Band, One Sweet Dream, Fools On The Hill, MerseyBeatMania, Genetic Control, Pat Horgan & Thunder Road, Roger Lipson's sitar show, Carlo Cantamessa's "In My Life" tribute to John Lennon plus more. Just added: Pete Santora's "Harrisong" tribute to George Harrison. This world-class music festival is a family-friendly event open to all ages, and will attract music lovers spanning the generations.

Gates open at 10am and music continues until 8pm. Entire-day "ticket to ride" admissions are only $15 in advance, $20 at the door for lawn area (bring your lawn chairs or blankets) or $20 advance, $25 door for reserved area seating. Tickets are on sale from http://danburyfieldsforever.eventbrite.com, and there are limited VIP packages available. There will be food and beverages available for purchase, and face-painting, inflatables and other attractions for kids. Bring the whole family! Ives Concert Park is a non-profit organization.

ALSO ADDED: Also appearing is world-famous rock & roll artist Shannon, plus vendors with souvenirs, memorabilia and collectibles. The event is hosted by Charles F. Rosenay!!! of Liverpool Productions.

NEWLY ADDED: After the festival ends, the party continues! Fellow fans and rocking revelers continue the fab four fun and festivities at Liverpool Productions' official Post-Festival Party at 9pm in the ballroom of the Maron Hotel on 42 Lake Ave. Ext. in Danbury, just minutes from Ives Concert Hall. All ages welcome but you must be over 21 to drink. Cover is $10 or only $5 with your "Danbury Fields Forever" ticket stub. There is a cash bar, pool tables and more, including live DJ, singalongs and other surprises.

Don't miss out on this BEATLEful day of music, arts and much more. As The Beatles sang, "...it's guaranteed to raise a smile!"


For further info call (203) 795-4737, email LiverpoolTours@aol.com or visit www.BeatlesMusicFestival.com.


Wednesday 25 July 2012

Macca Gets Back to Liverpool!

c. The Mersey Beatles (www.themerseybeatles.com)

Paul got back to where he once belonged, as he does every year, for LIPA's annual graduation ceremony. 

c. The Mersey Beatles (www.themerseybeatles.com)

He drove himself to the Philharmonic Hall, the venue for the ceremony, with Nancy sitting beside him in the passenger seat. 

c. The Mersey Beatles (www.themerseybeatles.com)


c. The Mersey Beatles (www.themerseybeatles.com)

Despite running a bit late, Paul took the time to sign a few autographs, and give the famous 'thumbs-up' to the assembled fans before hurrying inside.


c. The Mersey Beatles
(www.themerseybeatles.com) 


c. The Mersey Beatles
(www.themerseybeatles.com) 

After the ceremony, Paul drove back to Liverpool airport, via the Penny Lane roundabout and Mather Avenue.  Maybe he wanted to show Nancy around some of the places where he grew up!

Tuesday 24 July 2012

LONDON BEATLES DAY- SUNDAY 29th JULY 2012 - featuring THE TREMBLING WILBURYS!




Sunday 29th July sees the Summer London Beatles Day take place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (Formerly the Bonnington & Park Inn Hotel) - in the newly refurbished Ground floor convention centre, at the Doubletree Hilton West End, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4BH. There will be the usual top selection of Beatles Dealers from all over the UK offering an amazing selection of everything Beatles from badges to books to Signed Albums & Rare Original Memorabilia, CDs, T shirts, We pride ourselves on the great selection of Beatles vinyl records from around the UK & the world which will be offered from £1 to £1000+

We are very pleased to welcome to the show the TREMBLING WILBURYS who will be playing a short set around 1pm - led by Dave Stark, who will be interviewed prior to that, Dave a life long Beatles fan will also be giving a talk about his amazing experiences of meeting all The Beatles as a schoolboy in the ’60s, including gatecrashing the Yellow Submarine premiere in July 1968 and sitting directly behind the band ! - we are promised more stories from Dave!

Doors open at 10am Р4.30pm Рlicenced bar, caf̩ & cooked food and snacks offered on site, easy ground floor access for disabled people, remember there is NO congestion charge in London on Sundays, free street parking nearby, easy walking distance to the Oxford Street, nearest tube Holborn or Russell Square (each 5 mins walk) admission is on day

Come and have a chat with Fellow Beatles fans - Always a great day out with like minded Beatles people..

For Event detail check out : www.beatlesdays.com

Or call 07801 564622 / 07785 923695


Monday 23 July 2012

The Epstein Theatre Presents The Mersey Beatles


presents

The Mersey Beatles

in the only UK performance in 2012 of their "Get Back to Liverpool" concert

Saturday 10th November 2012

Don’t miss this magical homecoming evening with The Mersey Beatles 
in the town where they were born.
To book your "ticket to ride" call 0844 88 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or click HERE to book online!



“There are a lot of Beatles tribute bands from all over the world and I’ve seen them all, but The Mersey Beatles are the best I’ve heard”. So said John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird, in 2008.

Since then Liverpool’s favourite Beatles tribute band have racked up over 350 performances at the Cavern Club alone and have headlined festivals and events the world over. So busy were they with overseas tours that they had to leave their Cavern Club residency in February 2012. After 10 years in the role as the one and only resident Beatles band at the world’s most famous club, it was an emotional farewell. 

In response to the many e-mails from worried fans that they might not get to see their favourite Beatles tribute band in their hometown again, the boys put together the “Get Back to Liverpool" concert: 2x1hour sets of all era Beatles classics in full costume. From “Love me do” to “Let it be” via “Beatlemania” and “Pepperland”. All your favourite Beatles classics!  It's the concert The Beatles never gave.



On November 10th, 2012, The Mersey Beatles will become the first Beatles tribute band to grace the stage of the beautifully refurbished Epstein Theatre, Hanover Street, Liverpool with the only UK performance, in 2012, of this critically acclaimed, all era Beatles concert.

Following 'sold out' tours of Europe and Ireland and a first trip to Vegas for the band, where better for their homecoming performance? 





Like the original fab four, The Mersey Beatles are Liverpool lads born and bred. No phony accents needed, no script required. They react and interact with the audience in the relaxed and natural way of their role models, and all the songs are performed in the original recorded key. When all of this is put together, you get the greatest music of all time played 100% live with all the energy and excitement you have come to know from Liverpool’s most successful Beatles tribute band. It’s a concert the whole family can enjoy.



If you only see one Beatles concert in 2012 get to this magical evening with The Mersey Beatles in the town where they were also born.




Early booking is recommended for what promises to be a very special concert .... So, GET YOUR TICKET TO RIDE at www.epsteinliverpool.co.ukor call 0844 888 4411 or in person at The Epstein Theatre box office

“A splendid time is guaranteed for all”


Website: www.themerseybeatles.com
Twitter: @merseybeatles

Sunday 22 July 2012

New Acts Added to Line-Up for Scarborough Beatles Festival

YEH! YEH! YEH! – MORE ACTS INCLUDING LOCAL TEESIDE BAND ADDED TO THE BEATLES FESTIVAL AT SCARBOROUGH SPA TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF BEATLES MUSIC 
Celebrating 50 years of Beatle music -The Beatles Festival arrives at the Scarborough Spa on the weekend of 15th– 16th September 2012 – providing a weekend of Beatlemania at a ‘guaranteed-no-mud’ indoor festival.

The Beatles Festival will be celebrating 50 Years of Beatles Music 1962 -2012 providing a great nostalgic opportunity for those who lived through that glorious musical period and for younger audiences to discover the influencers of Oasis and Robbie Williams and many current pop stars.

The show will be opened, on Saturday afternoon, by a young local act from Teeside who have adopted an early John Lennon band name - Johnny & the Moondogs - and will treat the audience to a selection of Beatles, Stones, Kinks and ‘what we were listening to as well as the Beatles’ to get everyone in that Beatle era mood. The organiser commented ‘These young guys have all the raw energy that created the buzz back in the 60s and it’s great to include some local talent in our programme’

Popular tribute acts include The Mersey Beatles who have been resident at the Cavern Club Liverpool for 10 years and regarded as the definitive Beatles Tribute band. If you close your eyes you could swear you were actually listening to the original Beatles. Their act will include costume changes to reflect the early ‘grey suit’ period and the Sgt Pepper outfits for the Beatles psychedelic period.



The Macca Band with Neil Tudor are a Paul McCartney tribute featuring Beatles, Wings and Paul’s solo music. Neil Tudor is Paul’s official ‘double’ for adverts and commercial films.

The Cavernites are a genuine 60s beat group and will set the scene on Sunday 16th to get everyone in the 1960s mood with Beatles, Stones and loads of hits of the period.

The Beatelles are an All-Girl Beatles tribute band and give a cool twist on Beatle music – watch & listen out for their mix/mash-up of California Dreaming with George Harrison’s - While My Guitar Gently Weeps.




The Beatle 5 have the usual guitar line up plus keyboards so play those scarcer Beatle tunes such as ‘Martha my Dear’ so a full spectrum of Beatles music is guaranteed.

Session Guitarist B J Lewis will provide a ‘chill sessions’ with Chet Atkins guitar style Beatles tunes. BJ (Brian) formerly backed Cliff Richards in his Far East Tour and his guitar has featured on many records over the past 30 years.

Hey Beatles are creating waves in the Tribute community because they capture the Beatles sound perfectly. More acts are awaiting confirmation.

The programme is completed by the addition of The Merzees a Beatles and 60s tribute act who will give a Beatles spot on Saturday afternoon and a 60s (get you in the mood) on Saturday evening.

There will also be stalls and memorabilia including on Sunday a world exclusive of hand-painted Beatles ceramic tiles plus pop/music photographer Stuart Homer who will take your photo and superimpose it onto a Beatles Album Cover so you have The Beatles Festival event souvenir or have a photo taken with a Beatle lookalike - all donations going to Kidney Research Charity.

The programme is divided into 4 sessions – afternoon and evening Saturday and Sunday which can be booked individually or as a weekender ticket.


SPECIAL OFFER: BBFC Members can book discounted tickets by clicking HERE

For stall and exhibition space enquiries phone 07775 613116.

Friday 20 July 2012

New Competition Celebrating the 2012 Olympics!


In celebration of the upcoming London Olympics, the BBFC has created a whole new event open to all BBFC members. 

Begin flexing your Beatles knowledge muscles because the contest will start the same day that the Olympics begin (Friday July 27th) and will end when the Olympics end.

The victorious Beatle-Olympiad will win a 1 year extension to their BBFC membership, a goodie bag stuffed full of BBFC merchandise and the right to the title of Beatle Olympiad!

Watch for all the details and instructions next week!

Thursday 19 July 2012

Linda McCartney Honoured at the Penny Lane Development Trust


The weather this summer may have been awful, but even Mother Nature co-operated for the latest event at the Penny Lane Development Trust.  Even the sun made an appearance, and there was a glimpse of the iconic blue suburban skies.


Julie Gornell, of the Penny Lane Development Trust,
welcoming guests to the ceremony

The occasion, as Julie Gornell of the Penny Lane Development Trust, explained to the special guests, was to honour Linda McCartney by planting The McCartney Rose in her memory.  Jean Catharell, who works tirelessly to promote and preserve the Beatles legacy in Liverpool, donated the rose to the PLDT, and performed the planting ceremony.

The McCartney rose, donated by Jean Catharell
in memory of Linda McCartney
In the dedication speech, Jean talked of Paul's love for Linda, and of Linda's love of nature.  She said that she thought that it was only right that Linda be honoured at Penny Lane, a place that meant so much to Paul, in this way.  All those who were privileged to be present at the ceremony agreed!

The very special guests at the ceremony included a group from the "My Life Project."  When they first visited the centre a few weeks ago, the young people said how much they loved it for its peace and calm, and Julie has made them welcome many times since.  It was very easy to see, by the smiles on their faces, just how much the centre means to the group.

The Penny Lane Development Trust makes Beatles fans welcome, but its prime purpose is to serve the community.  The rose-planting ceremony proved, once again, what a wonderful job Julie, and all the staff at the PLDT, do in combining these two very worthy aims!


The special guests gather round the
McCartney rose at the end of the
ceremony
The Penny Lane Development Trust is on Penny Lane, Liverpool (next to Dovedale Towers).  More details on the Trust, and its work, can be found on its website here

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Book Launch -- Once Upon a Liverpool



Liverpool Town Hall played host today to the launch of a fabulous new children's book by textile artist, Maria Saunderson.

Through beautiful and colourful images, each one a photographic reproduction (by Wing at Wings Studio) of Maria's fabric collages of the major moments in the Beatles' hectic career, the book re-tells the Beatles story in a way that is both fun and interesting for children.  Each of the 12 scenes was crafted using at least 150 pieces of fabric as well as beads and sequins. The project took Maria two years to complete and was a labour of love. 

Some of Maria's beautiful art on display
at today's book launch
Managing Director of The Beatles Story, Jerry Goldman, said: “This book is beautiful. It will help parents and grandparents tell the story of the Fab Four to their children and grandchildren. It really is something for all the family and the images are something else.” 

Nothing seemed to sum up this sentiment better than than two of the guests at today's launch.  Colin Hanton attended, along with members of his family.  As the original drummer for the Quarrymen, Colin was there when musical history was made and today he was sharing his story, with the help of Maria's images, with his grand-daughter, ensuring that the story of the Beatles, and the legacy that he helped to create, was being passed on to future generations.  


The past and the future of the Beatles legacy:
Colin Hanton, with the artwork depicting the Quarrymen's
performance at St Peter's fete on July 6 1957. Beside him,
his grand-daughter proudly shows the picture of her grandad
and his mates in her signed copy of Maria's book.
The book begins, ‘Once upon a Liverpool’ and documents famous events such as when the Quarrymen played on an outdoor stage at St Peter’s church fete, the Beatles trip to Hamburg, The Sergeant Pepper album and the last performance at the Cavern. 

Heading for Hamburg!
Maria from New Brighton, said: “The Beatles’ story is epic and it’s ongoing. It was difficult to know where to start and where to end. It wasn’t until I was invited by Jerry Goldman to have a look around The Beatles Story attraction that I was able to choose specific points to focus on and most importantly where to end the book. I continuously researched it while I was stitching the illustrations, as I wanted to make sure that the details were right which on occasion has proved difficult, as facts about them seem to change on a regular basis."

“There’s one scene where the Beatles are playing on the rooftop of Apple and Ringo was wearing a red, PVC Mac. I recreated this scene for the book and noticed that the buttons on his coat were on the wrong side. After even more research, I found out that Ringo had borrowed his wife’s coat as it’d started to rain and John had borrowed Yoko Ono’s fur coat.” 

Maria also confessed that she would 'raid' her husband's wardrobe when she needed a certain button, or piece of material.  George, at Abbey Road, is wearing pieces cut from her husband's jeans!


Maria is an ardent supporter of Alder Hey Hospital.  At the official launch of the  book, at Liverpool Town Hall on July 17, Maria presented the hospital with one of her original pieces to aid in fund-raising efforts for the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Imagine appeal. 

Presentation to Alder Hey Hospital
The appeal further benefitted from an auction held during the launch of another of her hand-stitched pieces of Beatles artwork, this one framed with a poem from the beginning of the book.  The stitched piece features John Lennon looking down on the world and was inspired by the words of Imagine; it has a little submarine, the Liver building and a peace sign. 

Jerry Goldman, Maria Saunderson, with the piece of art
auctioned in aid of the Imagine Appeal
Maria is a freelance textile artist whose work has featured in many of the leading craft magazines. This is her second book, the first ‘The Brave Little Ferryboats’ told the story of how Liverpool’s famous ferryboats the Royal Iris and the Royal Daffodil got their title Royal – it is also illustrated through the medium of fabric collage. Both books are designed to be read in schools, as part of the curriculum. 

Liverpool attraction The Beatles Story is supporting Maria in her endeavours and will be selling the book through its shop - both in the store in Liverpool’s Albert Dock and online.  

More of Maria's fabulous art on display at today's book launch
The book is available to buy, priced £5.99 from The Beatles Story shop at http://store.beatlesstory.com/ and through Maria Saunderson’s website at http://www.stitchnfriends.co.uk/beatles.htm  

Saturday 14 July 2012

Ticket to Write Competition - Semi Finalists Announced!



THE FAVOURED FIVE FEATURING THE FAB FOUR

The Ticket to Write Beatles Play Competition has reached the semi-final stage.

The assessors for the five plays to make the semi-final have made their choice.

There are, in no special order of merit:

● Maxwell Must Go Free. By Maddie Wilson from Coulsdon, Surrey.
● World Without Love. By Steph Dickinson from Kirkby, Merseyside.
● Dad Please Please. By Irene Stuart
● Baby It Was You. By Patrick Maguire from Walton, Liverpool.
● Help! By Jessica May Buxton from Aigburth, Liverpool.

The initial readings were all carried out blind. Almost half of the 30-pus entries were deemed to be worth serious further consideration. The reading team, led by Artistic Director, Michelle Taylor and her assistant Christi Peto, had some tough choices to make.

In the final sift, weight was given to ensuring the Festival had a balance of plays so that humour, drama and pathos were in the mix. Also ease of staging was a factor as the team has limited resources and time.

Writers from America, Australia and Canada joined others from throughout the UK with offerings of a 15 -20 minute play about The Beatles. The plays could feature The Fab Four, be about their fans, their music or their lives.

“I was quite touched by the effort and care the writers put in to their entries. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing it blossom into the script-in-hand semi-finals and then the Final where the team will be giving fully-blown performances to the three that survive the semi-final,” said Festival Organiser Jamie Gaskin.

Both these events will be held at The Lantern Theatre, Blundell Street, Liverpool. The Semi-final on Thursday 26 July and the Final on Saturday 25 August – which is Liverpool's International Beatle Week.

Thursday 12 July 2012

Special Performance from the Mersey Beatles ...



Space is strictly limited for this special performance 
in aid of church funds.

Reserve your ticket now!

Telephone St Elizabeth's on 0151 922 5521 (after 7.30pm)

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Create and WIN your Great British Day Out at a Beatles’ childhood home



Fabulous competition from the National Trust!




Here at the National Trust we’re giving you the chance to create and win your Great British Day Out at a show-stopping range of venues – including the bewitching Beatles’ childhood homes. Imagine staging your dream day at one of the places where the Beatles’ musical heritage began? Just visit our new Facebook app to create your own dream event - then promote it to your friends (you’ll need their votes!) to make it happen. 


Here are a couple of Beatles themed ideas to help spark your imagination:

Super 60s fashion fest: Who thinks the swinging 60s were the most stylish decade ever? I do! So my Great British Day Out would start with a 60s makeover for me and my friends at Paul McCartney’s childhood home. We’d get all dolled up for a fun fashion show – strutting our stuff to Beatles’ grooves – followed by a dandy dinner party. And if Macca himself would like to drop by, we’d be made up! Please VOTE to make our FAB day happen :) 




Tea and jam with the Beatles: My Great British Day Out would be to jam with my musical mates – inside the place where the Beatles penned their top tunes. Team it with a slap up afternoon tea and you won’t get more British than that!

Got an inspiring idea of your own? Enter here or visit our Facebook page, click on the ‘Great British Day Out’ tab and design your big Beatles adventure. Simply choose your theme, one of our unique places – a beach, castle, pub, lighthouse, abbey or, of course, Beatles’ childhood home – and which of your friends you’d like to invite. Then let your imagination run free and tell us why you’ve got the winning idea.

You can find out more about the Beatles’ childhood homes in our care on our website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatles/

Monday 9 July 2012

EPSTEIN, The Play - Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, Nov 15 - Dec 1



C.A.L.M. IS REVEALED AS THE OFFICIAL CHARITY 
OF EPSTEIN THE PLAY 

__________________________________________________________


The producers of EPSTEIN The Play, which runs from 15 November until 1 December 2012, at the Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre can revealed CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) as the official charity for the eagerly anticipated production.

EPSTEIN The Play 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 directed by Jen Heyes (Blood Wedding, I love Vinegar Vera and Wall Talks). The producers have partnered with CALM due to the well documented issues that Brian suffered in his last years and the similarities in the great work that CALM charity do to help men with depression and anxieties. 

Bill Elms co-producer of EPSTEIN said “We wanted to link EPSTEIN with a local charity and we were aware of the work that CALM does for young men going through tough times. CALM’s charity principles echo some of the problems that Brian himself may have suffered in the Sixties until his early death aged 32. Our aim is to give CALM visibility through our production and make people aware of the great work they do.”

Courtesy of Liverpool Echo
The 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; he was an intelligent man whose presence, taste, vision and passion left a lifelong impact on the world. Born in Liverpool in 1934 to Jewish descent, he spent his early adult years working for the family business NEMS (North End Music Stores) before being drafted into the Royal Army Service Corps, after a brief stint in London 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.

Immense rapid success, busy schedules and constant touring took its toll on Brian and depression and recreational drugs set-in. Brian Epstein died of a sleeping pill overdose in August 1967, he was aged just 32. His death was immediately felt, while the Beatles continued to make magnificent music, their business affairs rapidly crumbled and by 1970 it was all over.

Simon Howes, CALM Development Co-ordinator said “Men often find it hard to open up and talk about the things that are causing stress in their lives. Sadly, Brian's life was tragically cut short at 32; if CALM had existed during the 60s maybe we could have helped him through our confidential helpline and campaign work; but the good news is we can help people now and so we are thrilled to be the official charity partner of this stunning production.”

Simon continues “To partnership with Epstein the Play is another excellent example of how the creative community is helping to raise awareness of important issues that we all have a part to play in addressing. Every penny raised will help us to answer more calls and make more people aware of what we do and how we can help them."

Courtesy of Liverpool Echo
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. 

Writer Andrew Sherlock said: “Wading through tons of information and interviews has been fascinating and slowly but surely, in the writing, researching and long creative chats with Jen, It feels like we have got to know the man and created a new show with a unique insight into what drove Brian to do the extraordinary things he did and what it felt like, through the good times and bad to be a man changing the way the world listens to music and coming to terms with himself. Working with our partners The Liverpool Echo, and the help of brilliant editor Ken Rogers, we have been given a unique opportunity to use and incorporate original archive of the 1960s Liverpool Echo News reports as the backbone of the production. . . In 1967 a young man from Liverpool with his fans’ scrap book tucked under his arm, meets his hero Brian Epstein one night in London and is granted an audience... For the rest you’ll have to come and see the show.”

“If anyone was the fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”
Paul McCartney 


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* Online at http://www.ticketquarter.co.uk*/
or in person at the TicketQuarter, Queens Square, Liverpool* 
*Subject to booking fee. 

More information on Epstein the Play can be found at www.epsteintheplay.com 
More Information on CALM can be found www.thecalmzone.net 



CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM 
Produced by Bill Elms & Jen Heyes Productions Limited 
Written by Andrew Sherlock 
Directed by Jen Heyes 
Designed by Amanda Stoodley 
Marketing and PR – Bill Elms Associates Ltd 
Sponsored by Gregory Abrams Davidson LLP Solicitors 
Supported by The Liverpool Echo 

ANDREW SHERLOCK 
Andrew began his professional career as an Associate at the Liverpool Everyman theatre and has since worked extensively as a Theatre Writer and Director nationally, internationally and in the West End. He has won a Vivian Ellis Prize for his musical theatre writing and has numerous credits as a theatre writer and director.
His writing credits also include Sleepover Planet a multi-media download musical for BBC Online, Them’s The Breaks, a drama which received a North West Vision award, Capture The Moment a youth comedy drama which received a BBC new writing award, The Representative, a feature drama commissioned by the NIFTC. His drama/documentaries Digging Of The Tunnel and Best Of Order for BBC Radio Merseyside were both nominated for Sony awards and his afternoon play Jimmy’s Letters was broadcast on Radio 4. He has won new media awards for his work on the Echoes Of Ireland and The World In One City interactive CD-ROMs both commissioned by Liverpool City Council as heritage study aids for schools. He created the multi-media Shankly Show, hit of Liverpool 08 and its transfers to The Royal Court Liverpool and The Liverpool Arena currently out on DVD. His ITV 1 feature TV drama The Girls Who Came To Stay won Alun Armstrong a Royal Television Society Best Actor Award and followed winning a Granada new writing initiative for a feature drama On The Out, which also went on to win the Royal Television Society Award for Best Programme in the North West. He is currently developing new plays for the theatre, including Epstein a bio-dram commissioned for autumn 2012 and Ballroom Boys, a new film feature, based on a true story, about a transvestite ballroom dancer who falls in love with skinhead gang leader in 70’s Liverpool. Andrew has been a regular Drama/Arts adviser to the city of Liverpool and its winning European Capital of Culture team. He is currently Consultant Dramatist, Professional Partnership Specialist and Senior Lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University Drama and father to four Liverpool FC supporters.

JEN HEYES
Jen is founder and artistic director of Cut to the Chase Productions www.cuttothechaseproductions.co.uk. Most recently Jen collaborated with Young Tate as artistic director of Curiouser and Curiouser performed at Tate Liverpool (with creative input from Punchdrunk Enrichment) and co produced and directed I Love Vinegar Vera at Joshua Brooks, Manchester. As an artistic director Jen has worked regionally, nationally (touring and individual works) and internationally (Berlin, Porto, Lisbon, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong) working on small, medium and large scale productions. She specialises is multi media site specific theatre and always strives to use live music within her work. In the 2000 Liverpool Echo Arts and Entertainment awards her production of Therese Raquin won the Best Liverpool Production award and she was a finalist in the Best New Talent category as a director. She was the director in residence at the Unity Theatre in 2002. As a finalist in the 2006 Merseyside Women of the Year Awards she was highly commended for her work as a director. In 2007 she co - created Wall Talks with Andrew Sherlock, which earned a five star review in METRO, a large site specific multi media work commissioned by Liverpool Culture Company to mark the 800th birthday of the city and the abolition of the slave trade. Her production of Blood Wedding in 2008 at The Liverpool Playhouse earned a four star review in The Guardian, she commissioned world class Flamenco guitarist Juan Martin to write the music and play live in the production. From Feb to July 2010 she was the artistic director/ creative producer for the Four Corners of the City Exhibition at The Bluecoat Arts Centre - Four Corners is Culture Liverpool’s city wide major participatory arts project .Also in 2010 she worked closely with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in re- working their Spirit of Christmas Concerts with soprano/presenter Lesley Garrett, Dr Ian Tracey conducting, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The RLPO choir and the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir as well as a company of actors. In May 2011 her film These Streets won Best Overall Film Award in The Clapperboard Awards @ The Lowry, Salford Quay. She regularly commissions other artists to create new work for the company as well as bringing together production teams to work on theatre and film projects. As a freelance director Jen regularly works with North West Playwrights on script development, workshop days with up and coming writers. As a vocalist she has just appeared at the Tete a Tete Opera Festival, Riverside Studios, Hammersmith in Closing Schools for The Future directed by Nick Owen MD & composer Gary Carpenter (August 2011) . Jen is looking forward to a very successful and creative partnership as a joint director and founder of Bill Elms and Jen Heyes Productions Ltd.

AMANDA STOODLEY
Amanda trained at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and graduated with a first class honours degree in theatre and performance design, having previously studied and worked in illustration, graphic and interior design. Designs for theatre and exhibition include: Two (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester); Winterlong (Royal Exchange Studio & Soho Theatre); I Know Where The Dead Are Buried (24:7 Theatre Festival, Manchester); Dark Side Of The Building (Unity Theatre, Liverpool); Innovasion - Liverpool Biennial (Hope Street Ltd.); Four Corners (Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool); Wish You Were Here (Liverpool Everyman); Making An Exhibition Of Ourselves (At Home) (Royal Exchange Studio). Co-design and assistant design work includes: Beautiful Thing, Doctor Faustus, 1984, Blithe Spirit, Pub and Three Sisters (Royal Exchange Theatre); Basket Case (Royal & Derngate Theatre); Lucia Di Lammermoor (Grand Opera Houston); Canary (Liverpool Playhouse); Faith Healer (The Sydney Festival); Top Of The World (Spike Theatre - on tour); Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (Novello Theatre); Momo (Stadttheater Bern). Amanda is currently designing Manchester Lines (Manchester Library Theatre), Truth About Youth Festival and Black Roses (Royal Exchange Theatre), Fireface – winner of the JMK Award (Young Vic Theatre) and Epstein (Epstein Theatre, Liverpool).

BILL ELMS
Director Bill Elms has worked in the theatre industry locally and nationally for 25 years and left a 10 year position as ‘Head of Sales and Marketing’ at the Liverpool Empire Theatre in August 2008, to set up his own Marketing and PR Company based in Liverpool City Centre. Bill Elms Associates Ltd has grown from strength to strength into one of the region’s premier communications companies specialising in the Arts, that has been involved with and successfully managed the marketing and PR contracts of many high-profile events including theatre, music, comedy children’s shows and many festivals. They have also acquired Marketing and PR contracts with a series of high profile venues such as The Lowry in Salford, Manchester Palace and Opera House, Scarborough Open Air Theatre (Europe’s largest open air theatre), St Helens Theatre Royal, Birmingham Alexandra Theatre and in Bill’s previous role of Head of Marketing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Finally they work on National UK Tours and a wide range of theatrical productions in many theatres across the Northwest including various Christmas pantomimes. Bill has also co-produced many productions over the last few years including Ghost Stories – A Night Opera and Frankenstein with composer Neil Campbell and Tales From Haunted Liverpool and Tales From Charles Dickens with director Jen Heyes. Bill is proud that Epstein will be the first key production for new company Bill Elms & Jen Heyes Productions Limited. More information on Bill can be found on www.billelms.com.