This is our review for This Is Merseybeat at Liverpool‘s Epstein Theatre. So, let’s take a look at This Is Merseybeat!
This Is Merseybeat
Description Of This Is Merseybeat
It’s 1962 and we’re in the Cavern Club to celebrate a legendary chapter in British music history. Throughout the early 1960s, so many Liverpudlian acts would dominate the charts. Of course, there’s The Beatles, arguably the most famous musical act ever. But let’s not forget Cilla Black, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Searchers, and Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas amongst others. And of course, there are The Merseybeats themselves. All of these acts and more would ensure that the central point of first-class ’60s music was Liverpool.
This show celebrates all of that music and more. Along the way, we learn about how certain acts first became popular, and we discover their most popular hits. And we get to experience Cavern life due to the somewhat frantic yet always positive atmosphere. It was a joyful time to let your hair down and sing and dance to the music of the day. And that’s what this show is all about as we relive one of the most iconic periods in music history!
Songs
There are so many great songs here. Some Other Guy, If You Wanna Dance With Me, That’ll Be The Day and Peggy Sue kick things off. Do You Love Me, I Saw Her Standing There, One After 909, and Love Me Do are next. Then, we hear It’s Gonna Be Alright, Pretend, That’s What I Want, Baby It’s You and Boys. The first half ends with Reelin’ And Rockin’, Roll Over Beethoven, and Long Tall Sally.
Meanwhile, the second half includes Please Please Me, From Me To You, and Sweets For My Sweet. Then it’s Do You Want To Know A Secret?, I Think Of You (a Merseybeats single), and Hippy Hippy Shake. Gerry Marsden numbers include How Do You Do It?, I Like It, and Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying. I Wanna Hold Your Hand, This Boy, All My Loving, Back To Me, and Pins And Needles were next. Then, we heard The Look Of Love, Anyone Who Had A Heart and You’re My World. The night concluded with She Loves You, Twist And Shout, Ferry Cross The Mersey, and Johnny Be Good.
Analysis Of This Is Merseybeat
One of the big positives about the 1960s is that songs were fairly short, often coming in at around 2:30. This means that for shows like this, it’s easy to fit in dozens of great tunes. And that’s what happens here, as there are plenty of classic hits. Not to mention a ton of tunes that the audience can sing and dance along to. The band themselves are very good, especially when singing in harmony alongside one another (particularly during This Boy). Their grey and later blue waistcoat suits add to the ’60’s feel, as do the projector images of The Cavern and Merseeymania.
Meanwhile, the guest appearances for those covering Gerry and Cilla Black songs were superb. The Gerry homage was fitting given that a memorial service for Marsden was held earlier that day at the Anglican Cathedral. Therefore, the Gerry songs had special significance on this particular night. But the Cilla performances were equally powerful, with You’re My World drawing a standing ovation. And we received some history lessons along the way, such as The Beatles’ excursions to Hamburg and America.
Summary Of This Is Merseybeat
If you love 1960s music, this is a terrific show for you. Those unfamiliar with this period should also attend to learn about how much of an influence Liverpool has. And with so many tracks to sing along to, it’s impossible not to join in with the fun. Whether you remember the original Cavern or you’re a student of musical history, this is a must-see show.
Notes
Target Audience: Ages 40+
Content: No Content Likely To Offend
Recommendation?: Yes
