GayWebSource.com – LGBTQ News And Press Release Syndication. Connecting Gay News Media Worldwide Since Nov. 2001, Over 20 Yrs Serving the Gay Community.
<p>Brian Epstein was, as the title suggests, the man who made the Beatles. After seeing them play a lunchtime gig at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1961, he persuaded them to let him act as their manager (in spite of no previous experience in this role) and helped find them the record deal that would shoot them to stardom.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/ChrisBridges">by Chris Bridges</a> | 6th August 2014</p><p>★★★★</p><p>
</p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4612731789.jpg" width="460" height="306" alt="Credit: Rhian Askins" title="Credit: Rhian Askins"/></p>
<p></p><p>In spite of his pivotal role in changing the face of British music he was often overlooked and missed out on recognition and credit for his behind the scenes influence. </p><p></p><p>Jewish, gay in a time when homosexuality was a criminal offence and experiencing an early death aged 32 from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills; what more do we know about Brian’s life? Andrew Sherlock’s well written two-hander delves into the psyche of Epstein by imagining a night just before his death where he brings back a young man (known only as This Boy) to his swanky Belgravia apartment. The writing is tight and witty and cranks up dramatic tension, let down only slightly by the overuse of puns relating to The Beatles and the odd cheesy line and too knowing comment about the sixties. There’s plenty of absurdity in Epstein’s preening and posturing and his fragile vanity but also pathos as he reveals himself as a man who has spent his life fighting his own corner in a bullying and disapproving world for a young Jewish gay man. </p><p></p><p>
</p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4612731788.jpg" width="460" height="692" alt="" title=""/></p>
<p><a href="http://thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/tags/entertainment">Andrew Lancel</a> (Coronation Street, The Bill) is excellent as Epstein, even managing to look spookily like the man himself. He portrays him with skill as a well-nuanced character with endearing vulnerabilities as well as touches of monstrosity and simpering pomposity. He inhabits the stage, a convincing and versatile sixties interior, with a real presence and is entirely believable. Lancel is clearly an experienced actor at the peak of his powers and is a sight well worth seeing. Newcomer Will Finlason, as This Boy, is also extremely talented and his character acts as part narrator and partly as an excellent foil that illuminates the character of Epstein.</p><p></p><p>The set is perfect with stylish back projections and gorgeously stylish animations that work really well to enhance the piece and create period style. The beautifully restored underground gem of the <a href="http://thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/tags/LeicesterSquareTheare">Leicester Square Theatre</a> is an ideal venue for the show as it was dubbed the Cavern in the Town back in the 1960s due to its hosting of music acts. It’s got air conditioning too if you need to escape an oppressively hot evening for a few hours too. </p><p></p><p>This isn’t a perfect play but it’s a good play and well worth seeing for an entertaining couple of hours. </p><p></p><p>The play runs until the 6th of September 2014</p><p></p><p>Buy tickets here: <a href="http://epsteintheplay.com/">http://epsteintheplay.com</a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>
</p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4611476916.jpg" width="460" height="30" alt="" title=""/></p>
<p><a href="http://thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/INTERVIEW-Andrew-Lancel-On-Epstein/8566683">Interview: Andrew Lancel</a></p><p><a href="http://thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/TOP-11-Gay-Characters-In-Mainstream-Movies/8551564">Top 11 Gay Characters In Mainstream Films</a></p><p><a href="http://thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/Barbra-Streisand-Gipsy-To-Get-The-Go-Ahead/8554748">Barbra Streisand Gipsy To Get The Go Ahead?</a></p><p></p><p></p><p>
</p><p></p><p></p><p>
</p>
Brian Epstein was, as the title suggests, the man who made the Beatles. After seeing them play a lunchtime gig at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1961, he persuaded them to let him act as their manager (in spite of no previous experience in this role) and helped find them the record deal that would shoot them to stardom.
In spite of his pivotal role in changing the face of British music he was often overlooked and missed out on recognition and credit for his behind the scenes influence.
Jewish, gay in a time when homosexuality was a criminal offence and experiencing an early death aged 32 from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills; what more do we know about Brian’s life? Andrew Sherlock’s well written two-hander delves into the psyche of Epstein by imagining a night just before his death where he brings back a young man (known only as This Boy) to his swanky Belgravia apartment. The writing is tight and witty and cranks up dramatic tension, let down only slightly by the overuse of puns relating to The Beatles and the odd cheesy line and too knowing comment about the sixties. There’s plenty of absurdity in Epstein’s preening and posturing and his fragile vanity but also pathos as he reveals himself as a man who has spent his life fighting his own corner in a bullying and disapproving world for a young Jewish gay man.
Andrew Lancel (Coronation Street, The Bill) is excellent as Epstein, even managing to look spookily like the man himself. He portrays him with skill as a well-nuanced character with endearing vulnerabilities as well as touches of monstrosity and simpering pomposity. He inhabits the stage, a convincing and versatile sixties interior, with a real presence and is entirely believable. Lancel is clearly an experienced actor at the peak of his powers and is a sight well worth seeing. Newcomer Will Finlason, as This Boy, is also extremely talented and his character acts as part narrator and partly as an excellent foil that illuminates the character of Epstein.
The set is perfect with stylish back projections and gorgeously stylish animations that work really well to enhance the piece and create period style. The beautifully restored underground gem of the Leicester Square Theatre is an ideal venue for the show as it was dubbed the Cavern in the Town back in the 1960s due to its hosting of music acts. It’s got air conditioning too if you need to escape an oppressively hot evening for a few hours too.
This isn’t a perfect play but it’s a good play and well worth seeing for an entertaining couple of hours.
New Members: If You Just Created A New Account, Please Upload A Logo or A Photo To Represent You or Your Publication. All new accounts must have an avatar pic. We will not approve your account until your profile has been competed. You will not have full access of the site until your account is approved. We require this to help keep out spam accounts. To edit your profile, click on your name in the top right corner of the site and follow the profile links. If Your Account Has Been Recently Migrated Please Click = > Here.
More Stories
1 Song for Equality and Peace by Craymo
Gay Film Weekend Banned In 1,100 Catholic Owned Cinemas In Italy
Big Brother’s Aaron Frew Leaves Nothing To The Imagination With Completely Naked Shot