‘Beatlemania’ is coming back to a theatre near you – yeah, yeah, yeah!
WHEN you ask anyone who lived in their time or is interested in the history of music, about their favourite Beatles song, they’ll have an answer.
My favourite is Hey Jude. I read somewhere that it was written by Paul McCartney for Lennon’s son Julian. I have, however, learnt that Arsenal diehards have appropriated the song as well.
That just shows you the levels at which the music of the rock band has been embedded in our everyday lives. After a worldwide tour,
Beatlemania, the musical based on the life and times of the Beatles, will hit South African shores from today. It has in the last few months been in Australia and New Zealand. It features a new cast that includes talented singers Cameron Charters (as Paul McCartney), Zac Coombs (John Lennon), Brent McMullen (George Harrison) and Ben Harper (Ringo).
Audiences can expect to see them perform classic Beatles hits such as Can’t Buy Me Love, All My Loving, Please Please Me, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, Day Tripper, Nowhere Man, Help, Yellow Submarine, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Hey Jude in the twohour show.
Speaking to Tonight, the new fab four shared their preparations for the roles.
“There’s a lot of different things we’ve done – we have to mimic everything they do as far as mannerisms go, and imitate their actions. So we watched interviews, live performance footage, everything that could help us become them as much as we can,” Coombs said.
These performances will also mark the first time since 2009 that the show visits South Africa.
Charters, the only original cast member from that show reflected on how the local audiences received that production.
“We did over 60 shows here and the audiences loved it. We’re hoping to do the same this time around. Everywhere we go the crowds enjoy our show – which is great. You can’t really go wrong with their music,” he said.
They’ve had to pay painstaking attention to detail. In the case of Charters and the role of McCartney, he’s had to learn to wobble his head a bit and hold his eyes open just a little bit wider.
Such attention to detail runs throughout the show, from the music to the wardrobe, hair and make-up as well as the staging – everything is curated to produce an authentic Beatles experience.
When I quizzed them about their favourite Beatles song, the jury remained out, with each band member answering according to their character and personal preference.
But that just shows the beauty of the show – whether you’re new to the Beatles or a diehard fan, this musical is sure to provide a little something for everyone.
After stints in Joburg and Durban, Beatlemania on Tour will round off their SA journey at the Artscape Theatre from October 31 to November 11.