A new play based on the Backbeat Beatles film is set to open. The play tells the tale of the pre-fame Early Beatles days of Hamburg Germany.

The Backbeat Beatles movie was directed by Ian Softley in 1994. Director Softley will be adapting the film for the stage. He says that he was visualizing a theater production when he directed the film. He saw the dramatic paintings of the original Beatles Bass player, Stewart Sutcliffe and stunning photography of his girlfriend and Beatles photographer Astrid Kirchherr woven into a narrative with the energy and excitement of great live music. He notes that the early day Beatles had the rawness and energy like a punk band. He hopes to recreate that rawness and energy in the stage production.

Stewart Sutcliffe stayed behind in Germany with his girlfriend Astrid when the rest of the lads returned to their native Liverpool. Stewart Sutcliffe tragically died in Read more »