I had seen Let It Be back in 2013 when it was playing in the West End at the Savoy Theatre, and was excited to refresh my memory with what I remembered being a good time all around. As a massive Beatles fan, I am always looking forward anything that involves the Fab Four, so I was definitely looking forward to the evening at The Garrick.
The show is a tribute act, and it does nothing to steer you from thinking it is anything but. Going into this, I was expecting costumes, wigs, and a lot of great music – and that’s exactly what I got.
Let It Be takes you through each era of The Beatles. Starting with the days in the famous Cavern Club to the Royal Variety Show, the mop top foursome bop through the early hits including She Loves You, All My Loving, and I Want to Hold Your Hand. They move into the massive show at Shea Stadium with the sounds of Help! and Day Tripper, and through to the psychedelic phases of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band up to the famous Abbey Road album. The voices weren’t quite up to par during solos, but their harmonies together were almost identical to what you’d hear listening to a Beatles record, which was incredibly impressive and added to the feel as if you were really watching the band on stage.
Well-known quotes were used (“I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition”) and the familiar cheeky banter of The Beatles came out through the guys. The actor’s portrayal of their “character” with slight mannerisms, whether it be a headshake or a little dance, was great to see. Even in the background, Luke Roberts was the one to watch throughout the night as Ringo, and Paul Canning played John as clever and witty as he was 50 years ago on the stage. Emanuele Angeletti’s facial features beared a striking resemblance to Paul, as did his voice, and John Brosnan proved his skill as George taking on all three solos that are played in row during The End. Michael Bramwell stood on the side as piano man, but was just as important as the guys center stage, taking on the popular solos of In My Life and Get Back to complete the sound.
Fully equipped with costumes, lights, and sounds, it’s more like a glammed up Beatles concert than an actual recreation – but fitting for the West End. For what the show set out to be, which was a fun tribute to be enjoyed by all, it did the job.
Reviewed by Caity O’Shaughnessy
Photo: Paul Cotas
Let it be is playing at the Garrick Theatre until 27 September 2015. Click here to book tickets.
