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John, Paul, George, Ringo … And Bert
''John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert'' is a 1974 musical by Willy Russell based on the story of the Beatles. It premiered at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool in May 1974, where it ran for eight weeks, and later moved to the Lyric Theatre in London in August 1974, where it ran for a year and was later named "Best Musical of 1974" by the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and London Critics' awards. It featured the music of the Beatles performed by Barbara Dickson. It also briefly ran in Ireland in 1977 and in the United States in 1985. Creative team *Directed by Alan Dossor *Design: Graham Barkmerth *Lighting: Mick Hughes *Sound: David Collison *Movement Consultant: Rufus Collings Original London cast *''Bert'': George Costigan *''John Lennon'': Bernard Hill *''Paul McCartney'': Trevor Eve *''George Harrison'': Phillip Joseph *''Ringo Starr'': Anthony Sher *''Brian Epstein, First Beatles Manager'': Robin Hooper *''Porter - Hitler - party guest - phone man...'': Nick Strin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Willy Russell
William Russell (born 23 August 1946) is an English dramatist, lyricist and composer. His best known works are ''Educating Rita'', ''Shirley Valentine'', '' Blood Brothers'' and ''Our Day Out''. Early life Russell was born in Whiston, Lancashire (which is now Merseyside). On leaving school, aged 15, he became a ladies' hairdresser, eventually running his own salon, until the age of 20 when he decided to go back to college. This led to him qualifying as a teacher. During these years, Russell also worked as a semi-professional singer, writing and performing his own songs in folk clubs. At college, he began writing drama and, in 1972, took a programme of two one-act plays to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where they were seen by writer John McGrath, who recommended Russell to the Liverpool Everyman, which commissioned the adaptation, ''When The Reds…'', Russell's first professional work for theatre. Career Russell's first play was ''Keep Your Eyes Down'' (1971), written while ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Trevor Eve
Trevor John Eve (born 1 July 1951) is an English film and television actor. In 1979 he gained fame as the eponymous lead in the detective series '' Shoestring'' and is also known for his role as Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd in BBC television drama '' Waking the Dead''. He is the father of three children, including actress Alice Eve. Early life Eve was born in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, the son of Elsie (née Hamer) and Stewart Frederick Eve. His father was English, and his Welsh mother was from Glynneath. Educated at Bromsgrove School, he had little acting experience during his school days. He studied architecture at Kingston Polytechnic (now Kingston University) in London. He dropped out of the course after three years to enrol at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where, upon leaving, he was awarded The Bancroft Gold Medal. Career Eve portrayed Paul McCartney in Willy Russell's 1974 play '' John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert'' at the Lyric Theatr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
In The Bleak Midwinter
"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti, commonly performed as a Christmas carol. The poem was published, under the title "A Christmas Carol", in the January 1872 issue of ''Scribner's Monthly,'' and was first collected in book form in ''Goblin Market, The Prince's Progress and Other Poems'' (Macmillan, 1875). In 1906, the composer Gustav Holst composed a setting of Rossetti's words (titled "Cranham") in ''The English Hymnal'' which is sung throughout the world. An anthem setting by Harold Darke composed in 1909 is also widely performed by choirs, and was named the best Christmas carol in a poll of some of the world's leading choirmasters and choral experts in 2008. Analysis In verse one, Rossetti describes the physical circumstances of the Incarnation in Bethlehem. In verse two, Rossetti contrasts Christ's first and second coming. The third verse dwells on Christ's birth and describes the simple surroundings, in a humble stable and watch ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Penny Lane
"Penny Lane" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released in February 1967 as a double A-side single with "Strawberry Fields Forever". It was written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. The lyrics refer to Penny Lane, a street in Liverpool, and make mention of the sights and characters that McCartney recalled from his upbringing in the city. The Beatles began recording "Penny Lane" in December 1966, intending it as a song for their album '' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band''. Instead, after it was issued as a single to satisfy record company demand for a new release, the band adhered to their policy of omitting previously released singles from their albums. The song features numerous modulations that occur mid-verse and between its choruses. Session musician David Mason played a piccolo trumpet solo for its bridge section. "Penny Lane" was a top-five hit across Europe and topped the US ''Billbo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
With A Little Help From My Friends
"With a Little Help from My Friends" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, from their 1967 album '' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band''. It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and sung by drummer Ringo Starr (as Sgt. Pepper band leader, Billy Shears), his lead vocal for the album. As the second track on the album, it segues from the applause of the title track. A subsequent recording of the track by Joe Cocker became a success in 1968—topping the UK Singles Chart—and an anthem for the Woodstock era. In 1978, the Beatles' recording, paired with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", was reissued as a single, and peaked at number 63 in Britain and number 71 in the United States. Starr has regularly performed the song in concert as a solo artist. The song was ranked number 311 on ''Rolling Stone''s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Background and composition Lennon and McCartney finished writing the song in mid-March 1967, written specific ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Your Mother Should Know
"Your Mother Should Know" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, from their 1967 EP and LP, ''Magical Mystery Tour''. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. Titled after a line in the 1961 film '' A Taste of Honey'', its lyrical premise centres on the history of hit songs across generations. McCartney said he wrote it as a plea for generational understanding and respect for a mother's life experience. In the ''Magical Mystery Tour'' television film, the song serves as a big production number in the style of a 1930s Hollywood musical. Some commentators view the sequence as cultural satire, as the Beatles are seen dancing and dressed in white evening tails. "Your Mother Should Know" is written in the music hall style, as was McCartney's earlier composition, "When I'm Sixty-Four". He first offered it as the Beatles' contribution to the '' Our World'' satellite broadcast in June 1967, but the band favoured John Lennon's "All You Need Is Lov ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
I Should Have Known Better
"I Should Have Known Better" is a song by English rock band the Beatles composed by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney), and originally issued on '' A Hard Day's Night'', their soundtrack for the film of the same name released on 10 July 1964. "I Should Have Known Better" was also issued as the B-side of the US single " A Hard Day's Night" released on 13 July. An orchestrated version of the song conducted by George Martin appears on the North American version of the album, '' A Hard Day's Night Original Motion Picture Soundtrack''. Origin "I Should Have Known Better" was one of several songs written and recorded specifically for the Beatles' debut movie, "A Hard Day's Night". The harmonica-driven arrangement by the group was similar to Frank Ifield's recording of "The Wayward Wind", a hit on the UK Singles Chart in March 1963. The Beatles were fans of Ifield and his music, and recorded his rendition of " I Remember You" in their Hamburg stage act in 1962. Recording T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
RSO Records
RSO Records was a record label formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood and record executive Al Coury in 1973. The letters "RSO" stood for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. RSO managed the careers of several major acts, the Bee Gees, Yvonne Elliman, Cream, Eric Clapton, and Andy Gibb. The release of the soundtracks of ''Saturday Night Fever'' (over 35 million copies sold worldwide) and '' Grease'' (over 30 million copies sold worldwide), which were two of the best selling albums ever, made RSO one of the most financially successful labels of the 1970s. Additionally, the record label released the soundtracks to '' Fame'', ''Sparkle'', ''The Empire Strikes Back'', ''Return of the Jedi'', ''Times Square and'' ''Grease 2''. At one point in 1978, the label boasted an unprecedented sixth consecutive number-one singles on the ''Billboard'' (US) pop charts, holding the top spot for 21 consecutive weeks. With singles releases from the ''Grease'' soundt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Valerie Lilley
Valerie Lilley (born 14 April 1939) is a Northern Irish actress who has played many television roles on dramas such as '' Doctors'' and ''Grange Hill''. Lilley most recently appeared in BBC1's '' Casualty'' as Daisy Fennings. Prior to that Channel 4's comedy drama '' Shameless'' portraying Patty Croker (2010–2012). She also appeared briefly in a stretch on the '' Catherine Tate Show'' Lilley trained with Joan Littlewood's Arts Workshop in London during the early sixties and received an early boost, which included appearing alongside Stephen Rea. She spent many years as a stage actress throughout the UK. In 1982, she took a minor role in another local television play, Stewart Parker's ''Iris in the Traffic, Ruby in the Rain'', starring Frances Tomelty. Also in 1982, Lilley appeared in two other televised plays, ''Potato Head Blues'' and the troubles rooted ''Billy Boy'' with James Ellis. Lilley was also a regular in ITV's ill-fated ''Albion Market''. She was born in Larne ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elizabeth Estensen
Elizabeth Estensen (born 10 August 1949) is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Diane Sugden on the ITV (TV channel), ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'' from 1999 to 2021, with a guest stint in 2022. She has also made appearances in various British television series, including ''The Liver Birds'', ''T-Bag'' and ''Coronation Street''. Early and personal life Estensen was born on 10 August 1949 and had a Norwegian grandfather, from whom she inherited her surname. She grew up in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. Her mother was a primary school teacher, and her father was a merchant seaman and solicitor's clerk. Estensen considered becoming a speech therapist, but signed up for a Drama and English teaching course at Manchester Polytechnic instead. Estensen has been married to husband Philip Allen since May 1983, and the pair have a son together, James Otto Allen. Career Following graduation from Manchester Polytechnic, she moved to Liverpool and joined the Everyman reperto ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Luan Peters
Luan Peters (18 June 1946 – 24 December 2017), also known as Karol Keyes, was an English actress and singer. Biography Born Carol Ann Hirsch, she made her stage debut in a pantomime aged four, then went on to win a drama scholarship at the age of 16 after a performance of ''Twelfth Night''. She started singing in a band for £2 a night as a way of earning extra money while attending drama school. In Manchester, under the name Karol Keyes (named after her management, Keystone Promotions), she fronted Karol Keyes and the Big Sound, a band previously known as The Fat Sound. One of her first records was an Ike & Tina Turner song called "A Fool in Love", released on Columbia. She left that band in June 1966; subsequently, as Luan Peters (a name she adopted in the late 1960s), she succeeded Tina Charles as frontwoman of 5000 Volts. A year later, she joined Joan Littlewood’s drama school at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. In 1971, she starred in ''Not Tonight, Darling'' a drama ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nick Stringer
Nick Stringer (born 10 August 1948 in Torquay, Devon) is an English actor. In a thirty-year career, Stringer has appeared in numerous well-known British television shows, including ''The Bill'', '' Bergerac '', ''Open All Hours'', ''Only Fools and Horses'', ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'', ''Coronation Street'', ''Family Affairs'', ''Minder'', ''Johnny Jarvis'', ''Butterflies'', ''My Family'' and ''The Professionals''. He also had roles in the films ''The Long Good Friday'' (1980), ''Clockwise'' (1986) and ''Personal Services'' (1987). He appeared in the British police drama, ''The Sweeney'', episode 'One of Your Own', as gang boss 'Patsy Kearney'. In ''The Bill'' he played PC Ron Smollett from 1990 to 1993 who was a likable, hard-working, and honest cop. Stringer appeared in the first two series of ''The New Statesman'' as the fictional Member of Parliament Bob Crippen, a Labour opponent of the Conservative Alan B'Stard. Other roles have included a cameo role in Goodnight Sweeth ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
