Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: John Power, Matt Breen, Tom Connor, Jessica Dyas, Kirsten Foster, Ross Higginson, Adam Keast, Jonathan Markwood, Mark Newnham.
Even almost 33 years after John Lennon was cruelly and untimely taken from his fans and from the city of Liverpool and the world, his iconic memory still has the power, the absolute authority of spirit, in which to inspire and encourage rousing feelings of love and joy and ultimately the sadness of a life cut short well before his time.
The Royal Court last put on Lennon in 2010 and then, like now, the admiration and sheer joy felt within the auditorium for the entire cast was something to behold. With virtually a different cast on stage for this production, the audience were treated to a performance that was grounded, substantial and abundant and with music that stirred the memory and the addition of some extraordinary performances, Lennon was once more a play that just doesn’t demand to be seen, it relishes in the prospect of all those who loved the man who gave so much coming along and being awe struck at the quality on stage.
Such was the depth of character that resided in John Lennon that to portray him is a task that can be near impossible, it takes the right actors to carry off the humour, the sense of injustice he saw and also the flaws that marked him out as a great man and in Liverpool musician John Power, performing in his debut production, and the excellent Mark Newnham, that character was laid bare and captured so beautifully. John Power not only framed the nuances of speech, the pent up frustration and love for Yoko Ono brilliantly but it seemed that he had been getting ready to play this part all his life.
Much must also be said for the cast as a whole. The four young actors/musicians playing the band members in their younger lives, the sublime Matt Breen as George Harrison, who was also making his acting debut, the magnificent Tom Connor who portrayed Paul McCartney down to an absolute tee and the delightful Ross Higginson as Ringo all sparkled with so much aplomb that even if they weren’t performing in a play could quite easily hold their own against Beatles tribute acts that litter the world.
If the young lads were on top form then the two women in the company, Kirsten Foster and Jessica Dyas were outstanding in their portrayals as the various women who were in John Lennon’s and The Beatles life. Jessica Dyas was especially terrific as Stuart Sutcliffe’s girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr.
Lennon just doesn’t deal with the loveable musician though and If Andrew Lancel captured the heart and dynamism of the late Brian Epstein during 2012, then Adam Keast showed the dark tortured soul in one sparkling and beautiful moment. With the lights dimming around the stage, Mr. Keast sat down on the chair after talking to John and the inner turmoil that surrounded the Beatles manager was so intensely palpable, so refreshingly unmistakable, that Mr. Keast deserves full plaudits for this unpretentious and humble addition to the memory of the great man.
Lennon is a wonderful and clearly superb production and a respectful homage to the memory of the man who still inspires so many millions around the world today.
Ian D. Hall