One of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in music history, The Beatles recordings sold over one billion units according to Guinness World Records. Formed in 1960, the group developed its musical skills through live performances that culminated into riotous enthusiasm – a phenomenon known as Beatlemania.
On June 15 and 16, the excitement of the Beatles live performances is re-created at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre with a new show called Beatlemania Revisited, which also visits the Fergus Grand Theatre on July 7. It features talented European and North American cast members in the roles of John Lennon, McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Leading the cast is Yuri Pool, who has been hailed by Beatles promoter Sid Bernstein as “the best McCartney vocalist in the world today.” Starr will be played by U.K. native Mark Matthews, now a Canadian citizen and 2010 Juno award winner, while Rob Kay, best known for his work with Herman’s Hermits, is Harrison, and European Colum Henry plays John Lennon.
All songs in Beatlemania Revisited are performed note for note by the cast members who are further augmented with full costumes, vintage instruments and equipment.
The evening focuses on the actual live performances of the Beatles, kicking off with their famous 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan television show. In total, over 30 Beatles songs are featured throughout the evening including I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Ticket to Ride, Yesterday, Penny Lane, Help, A Hard Day’s Night and many other audience favourites.
Henry, said, “Beatlemania Revisited is a family oriented, audience-interactive performance that will have the audience laughing, crying and clapping along, and I’m truly proud to be associated with such a top-caliber cast and historically authentic show.”
He said, “Both the Harriston and Fergus theatres are very intimate venues with excellent acoustics, so it truly gives Beatles fans an opportunity to see and hear this wonderful show at its very best.”
Tickets for the Beatlemania Revisted show are only $20 and $25. Show time is 7:30pm in Harriston and tickets can be purchased at the Harriston Home Hardware or by calling the theatre box office at 519-338-2778. In Fergus, showtime is 8pm and tickets are available on-line at www.FergusGrandTheatre.ca or by calling the theatre box office at 519-787-1981.
