Andrew Knott

From Balancing Acts by Tony and Olivier Award-winning artistic director Nicholas Hytner: a memoir about his career directing theater, producing films and opera, working closely with some of the world's most celebrated actors, and working behind the scenes of London's famed National Theatre.

Based on the 1994 film, the Glasgow/UK stage version of Backbeat is making its US premiere at the Ahmanson with all the fire, guts and gusto that engender a genuinely moving dramatic story. This is not a musical, but a drama with music. Let's face it: the Beatles more than any other musical group in history changed our outlook ...and our entire culture. We not only listened to their music, but copied their haircuts, their dress, their attitude and came into sync with every move they made, some good, some bad. For those unfamiliar with how they got started, it was not really in Liverpool, but in a sleazy underground club in Hamburg. Germany in the early 60s. Backbeat fills in these background details, but much more than a docudrama, relates a powerful story about John, Paul, George, Pete Best - drummer before Ringo (Adam Sopp) - and more importantly Stu Sutcliffe (Nick Blood). Stu was an intimate artist friend of John. John literally forced Stu into the group in the early days and so his story rightfully commands as much attention in Backbeat as the legendary boys themselves. Stu's story is sad. He, unlike the others, got cheated of fame and glory.

The U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles, opened last night, January 30, 2013, and continues through March 1, 2013. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening curtain call and celebration below!

Previews begin today, January 20, for the U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. 'Backbeat' begins performances today, January 20 and continues through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.

Previews begin this Sunday, January 20, for the U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. 'Backbeat' begins performances January 20 and continues through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.

The cast is set for the U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. 'Backbeat' will have its U.S. premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre, with previews beginning January 20 and performances continuing through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

The cast is set for the U.S. premiere of "Backbeat," the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. "Backbeat" will have its U.S. premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre, with previews beginning January 20 and performances continuing through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.

A new revival of Shelagh Delaney's classic opens in Sheffield.

Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans previously announced the full cast for Shelagh Delaney's seminal work A Taste of Honey in the Crucible Theatre.

Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans today announces the full cast for the forthcoming productions of Shelagh Delaney's seminal work A Taste of Honey in the Crucible Theatre and the world premiere of DC Moore's Straight in the Studio Theatre.

E Street Band members Garry Tallent, Steven Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, in Toronto after performing with Bruce Springsteen at the Rogers Centre, took in the Saturday, August 25 evening performance of the smash hit musical drama, BACKBEAT, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

David Mirvish will present the North American premiere of the gritty, powerful rock 'n' roll drama BACKBEAT: The Birth of the Beatles, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre Theatre for a strictly limited engagement July 21 until September 2, 2012. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the show below!

David Mirvish will present the North American premiere of the gritty, powerful rock 'n' roll drama BACKBEAT: The Birth of the Beatles, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre Theatre for a strictly limited engagement July 21 until September 2, 2012.

London's new rock & roll show BACKBEAT, opened at the Duke of York's Theatre on 10 October. Co-written by Iain Softley and Stephen Jeffreys and based on the 1994 film by Iain Softley, who directed the Glasgow production - Backbeat is the story of how The Beatles ‘became' The Beatles - when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe embarked on their journey from the famous docks of Liverpool to search for success in the seedy red light district of Hamburg, Germany. Backbeat is produced by Karl Sydow and directed by David Leveaux. Tickets are on sale now from www.atgtickets.com/backbeat / 0844 871 7623.

We review the new West End show

Producers of London's new rock & roll show BACKBEAT, which opens at the Duke of York's Theatre on 10 October, have revealed the principal roles cast for this production.

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.

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.