A MUSICAL celebrating the ‘Merseybeat’ sound which originated from Liverpool in the 1960s will be performed at Bromsgrove’s Artrix at 7.30pm on Friday, May 15.
This is Merseybeat celebrates the 1960s sound of Liverpool, direct from the world-famous Cavern Club.
This vibrant, energetic and exciting show features the Cavern’s resident Merseybeat combo, The Shakers, plus guest artists Neil Ainsby as Gerry Marsden and Danie Cox as Cilla Black. And the show also features renowned Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse actor, Paul Codman, as the ‘host with the most’.
This is Merseybeat is a love letter to Liverpool as, uniquely, every song in the show was performed by a
Liverpool 60s artist, showcasing the city’s world-beating musical heritage like no other touring production today.
Critics have described the show as ‘outstanding’ and ‘must-see’ while others said it was ‘as close as time travelling back to that unique era as you can get’.
The story is set in 1963 in Liverpool when there is a ‘whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on’ in the Cavern Club – a backstreet beat cellar.
This is Merseybeat takes the audience from the depths of Number 10, Mathew Street, to the ‘Beat Boom’ which started there and over the next two years when ‘Merseymania’ ruled the world.
The show features all the big Mersey Sound hits, classic Cavern stompers and a shot of rhythm and blues (with just a little rock ’n’ roll on the side, just for good measure) from The Beatles, Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Searchers, Cilla Black, Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas, The Big Three, Chuck Berry, Larry Williams, Little Richard and many more.
Merseybeat was the bedrock of the swinging 60s and the key that opened the door for the British Beat Boom in 1963 and the worldwide British invasion of 1964 with The Beatles leading the way.
As the story unfolds, viewers will experience the Cavern Club right up to the ‘Merseymania’ Hit Parade years when Liverpool was ‘top of the pops’.
The show was devised, written and produced by Tony O’Keefe, the Liverpool musician/actor and founder of The Shakers who have been resident in the Cavern Club since 2006 and are Merseyside’s foremost beat combo around today.
Having shared a stage with Liverpool 60s legends, The Searchers and the late Gerry Marsden, they have also backed many 60s artists, such as US rock ‘n’ and roll stars, Tommy Roe and Chris Montez.
Since its debut show in 2018, This is Merseybeat has had a successful run around England and is now coming to Bromsgrove.
Visit: artrixbromsgrove.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/this-is-merseybeat for more information and to buy tickets.
Alternatively, visit Artrix’s box office in person or call 01527 361324.
