Liverpool-Live

Made in 1994, Backbeat chronicles the early days of The Beatles journey from Liverpool to Hamburg, Germany. The film is based on interviews conducted by the writer/director Iain Softley with Astrid Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann in the spring of 1988.

The film focuses primarily on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe (played by Stephen Dorff) and John Lennon (played by Ian Hart), and also with Sutcliffe's German girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (played by Sheryl Lee), Chris O’Neil plays George Harrison and Paul Duckworth plays Ringo Starr.

The Beatles' early days as a struggling bar band are depicted in this fact-based drama, which tells the little-known story of original member Stuart Sutcliffe. A close friend of John Lennon, Sutcliffe acts as the band's original bassist, accompanying them on their early gigs in Liverpool and Hamburg. The friendship becomes strained, however, when Sutcliffe falls in love with a German art student and starts to question his commitment to the band. Whilst best friend John Lennon can only watch, Sutcliffe has to choose between rock 'n roll and a new life in Germany, but Stuart still thinks he is a better painter than bass guitarist and he has fallen seriously in love with a German girl.

With Sutcliffe's story taking centre stage, the stories of the more famous Beatles largely fade into the background. The film has subsequently been made into a stage production, debuting at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre in 2010. It has been announced that BACKBEAT will make its London West End début on the 10 October 2011 at the Duke of York's Theatre.

Actor Scot Williams (Pete Best) will participate in a Question and Answers session with the audience after the film, Chaired by Liverpool writer, poet and Journalist Peter Grant. A complimentary after show drink will be sponsored by Matthew Clark at 3345 Parr Street.

Income raised from Clapperboard Presents… will go toward the Clapperboard Youth Project. Ticket prices are £11 each with concessions £8.00 direct from FACT box office on 0871 902 5737.