BACKBEAT Premieres at Citizens Theatre, 2/9

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming production of BACKBEAT at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. The production will be the onstage premiere of the musical adapation, based on the hit film about the Beatles. The cast will include Isabella Calthorpe and Andy Knott. Also Jamie Blackley, Oliver Bennett, Daniel Healy, Kate Hodgson, Patrick Lannigan, Alex Robertson and Charles Swift. The production will run from February 9th through March 6th.

BACKBEAT is the story of the fifth Beatle, Stuart Sutcliffe (the band's original bassist), and the two most important people in his life: John Lennon and Astrid Kirchherr.

Re-imagined for the stage by the original writer and director of the acclaimed 1994 film, Iain Softley. This new production of BACKBEAT is a passionate and vivid portrayal of a love story born out of the famous summer when The Beatles made their name in the city of Hamburg.

Inseparable friends, John and Stuart, become entwined in a fiery triangular relationship as Stuart falls madly in love with Astrid. John forces Stuart to choose between his deep loyalty for John, a future with the greatest band in history or following his heart and pursuing a life as an artist with the woman of his dreams.

Receiving its world premiere at the Citizens, this is an opportunity to see a play with live music about the early years of one of the most iconic bands in history.

Alex Robertson will play sensitive artist Stuart Sutcliffe, the best friend of John Lennon and original Beatles bassist who fell in love with the German photographer, Astrid Kirchherr. Their love affair had an immeasurable impact on the future of The Beatles and ended in a shocking tragedy that was to change their lives forever. Alex trained at RADA and his stage performances include Artist Descending A Staircase, Orestes, By Parties Unknown and Woman In Mind with TV appearances including BBC dramas Fanny Hill and Wide Sargasso Sea.

Alex said, "I am really excited to be part of the stage adaptation of Backbeat, not only is this a great acting challenge, but I haven't played in a rock ‘n' roll group since I was 18 so will be great to pick up a guitar again. I am really looking forward to taking on the all encompassing role of Stuart Sutcliffe. From what I've read so far Stuart was a brilliant soul and his influence and relationship with Lennon and Astrid, plus the progressive era in which the story is set, will be fascinating and thrilling to explore."

Andrew Knott will play the young and fiery John Lennon, whose jealousy of Stu and Astrid seals the passionate love triangle that is central to the play. Andrew's TV work includes popular shows Gavin & Stacey, Life on Mars, Casualty, and he has appeared in The History Boys stage production as well as Ruling Passion and Tale of Two Cities.

Andy said, "It feels like I've been studying for most of my life to play the role of John Lennon. I've had pictures of him and The Beatles on my bedroom wall from a really young age, and have always been fascinated with the music of The Beatles and the story that surrounds them, so I feel privileged to be part of the telling of that story on the Glasgow stage."

Emerging actress Isabella Calthorpe will take on the role of Astrid Kirchherr, the enigmatic German photographer, who had a dramatic effect not only on Stu and John but also in shaping the early style and look of the band. Isabella was the original ‘Lisa Houseman' in the UK production of Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage and her film credits include 13 Hours and How to Lose Friends & Alienate People.

Isabella says, " I am excited and honoured to be playing the part of Astrid Kirchherr in the debut production of Backbeat. To have the opportunity to play a part in the early story of The Beatles, one of the most celebrated and loved bands in history, is a privilege. I feel very lucky to be playing Astrid. Photographer and friend to The Beatles in Hamburg, she took some of their most intimate portraits and was both muse and style icon to the band. The story of her love affair with Stuart Sutcliffe is very moving and I am thrilled to be part of its telling. "

Paul McCartney will be played by Daniel Healy, a talented musician whose acting credits include Daddy's Girl (Cannes Best Short Film), Taggart, Chewin' the Fat, The Karen Dunbar Show and the Irvine Welsh film Wedding Belles. The baby of the band, George Harrison, will be played by Jamie Blackley, whose theatre work includes Hanschen in the acclaimed Spring Awakening. OLIVER BENNETT will portray original Beatles drummer, Pete Best, CHARLES SWIFT has been cast as the understudy for John, Stuart, George and Paul. KATE HODGSON will play Lennon's then-girlfriend (later to become his wife), Cynthia Lennon, and PATRICK LANNIGAN will play Stu's art teacher, Arthur Ballard.

Performances of BACKBEAT take place Monday through Saturday at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 2:30pm. Tickets range in price from £9.50-£17, with preview performances available for £4 and Monday performances available for £7. Tickets may be purchased online at the theatre's website.

For more information, visit the Citizens Theatre website.

The Citizens Theatre first opened as a theatre in 1878. The Citizens company was founded in 1943 by James Bridie, and the Citizens Theatre was permanently established in 1945. Since then it has been one of Scotland's flagship producing theatres.

The Citizens has a distinguished history that continues today, presenting a world-class repertoire based on British and foreign classics, contemporary plays and new writing. Use What's On to view Current Productions or visit our Archive pages for recent past productions.

The company has two Artistic Directors at the helm, Guy Hollands and Jeremy Raison who direct their own productions and have responsibility for programming the work of the theatre as a whole. By also inviting a diverse range of touring work into the theatre, they aim to offer a powerful mix of productions that upholds our reputation as the place to see theatre in Glasgow.

The Citizens Theatre provides high quality main house and Studio Productions, theatre for children and young people, a regular programme of theatre on tour, a Young Co., a Community Company and a pioneering range of creative participatory projects delivered by Learning and TAG. We have extensive backstage workshop facilities and make our own sets and costumes.

The Citizens Theatre is firmly rooted in its local community and we place a special emphasis on work with children, young people and socially excluded adults. We believe in placing arts, culture and creativity at the heart of learning and provide opportunities at the theatre and in communities and schools across Scotland, for young people and adults to engage with drama.

 

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