Review of Let It Be

At first the on stage, look-a-like band perform as if they were in the Cavern, the unglamorous Liverpool venue where the greatest super group of all time started, then it replicates various other appearances the band made throughout their career. This is interspersed with projected images presenting the historical and social context of each concert, the manic fans, the now poetically incorrect commercials, news footage from Vietnam to the summer of love and the stars’ flirtations with Eastern philosophy.

There’s few people in the Western World that these incredible lyrics and melodies haven’t touched at one time or another

To begin with I was plotting an early exit at the interval, convinced that I didn’t need to sit through a whole evening of skilfully performed covers of the Fab Four's hits to pass critical judgement. But then something delightful happened.

It transpired that there was a narrative running through and an intriguing and engaging story developing; not particularly through the performances which despite a series of wigs and false moustaches remained similar throughout but through the chance to evaluate how these extraordinary songwriters developed through the decades taking millions of fans with them.

The story starts with the chirpy, irresistible, bubblegum pop of hits like She Loves You and I Want To Hold Your Hand and ends with the sublime musical sophistication of the guitar break in While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Norwegian Wood and the ultimate, never to be forgotten, sing along anthems Let it Be and Hey Jude. Along the way there’s the emotional vulnerability of Help, the heart break of Yesterday and that perfect depiction of the isolation of modern life, Eleanor Rigby. There’s also huge dollops of celebration and fun like Here Comes the Sun, Twist and Shout, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, When I’m 64 and Magical Mystery Tour. Dozens of decade defining hits that feel like they’re the soundtrack to the second half of the 20th Century. Internationally adored but uniquely English in their eccentricity and world view.

What inspired such an extraordinary output of musical genius? This show isn’t going to tell us but it does offer a unique opportunity to evaluate it and reminisce how and when each song had an impact on your life; and there’s few people in the Western World that these incredible lyrics and melodies haven’t touched at one time or another.

The majority of the audience were aged 40 plus which got me wondering what younger generations might make of the material. If your experience of pop is Katy Perry and Eminem perhaps the popularity of four working class youths from Liverpool will mystify but I’d like to think anyone with a brain in their head and a heart in their breast would be able to recognise the genius.

The production is as cheap as chips and performed with minimal expense in front of tatty creased, backdrops and the now ubiquitous projected scenery. The acting on display is minimal and there’s absolutely zero chemistry between the band members which can’t have been the case with Beatles but everyone does play and sing really well so perhaps it’s worth sacrificing characterisation for fine musicianship.

I guarantee the memories these songs conjure up will get you smiling and the vibrancy of the musicianship will keep your toes tapping

The show employs a large roster of unknown performers alternating the roles, presumably allowing them to gig elsewhere, so your line up probably won’t be the same as the guys I saw but let’s hope the whole team are as good as my four.

Don’t expect anything dramatically satisfying or even particularly memorable but this reminder of the extraordinary breadth and richness of the Beatles songbook may well give you more to think about than those early reviews suggested.

I guarantee the memories these songs conjure up will get you smiling and the vibrancy of the musicianship will keep your toes tapping.

Let It Be tickets