Wirral actor needed to play Beatles' manager Epstein (From Messenger Newspapers)

Wirral actor needed to play Beatles' manager Epstein

3:20pm Monday 21st May 2012 in Music By Craig Manning

THE producers of a new play about The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein are looking for a young Wirral actor to step into his shoes.

The production, which will be staged at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool in September, marks 50 years since he secured a recording contract for the Fab Four, which lead to the release of their first single "Love Me Do" in early October 1962. He died in August 1967.

Having determinedly tried to get the his group a recording contract and having been turned down by every record company in the UK, Brian was introduced to George Martin at EMI in May 1962.

Interested in the original songs, George Martin agreed to consider an audition in the studio for "the boys" as Brian referred to John Paul George and Pete The Beatles The play will be presented by Rox Theatre and award-winning Hand-In-Hand Theatre and rehearsals will take place in Birkenhead.

It will be co-directed by Brian Mcann, whose play "Down Our Street" totally sold out at The Unity last year.

David Crosby, from Rox Theatre, said: "It will tell his story up to that point and also, inevitably, the story of The Beatles - but from his perspective.

"It is not another Beatles show or play – and certainly not a live musical show.

"It tells the story of Brian, having recently lost his father, alone in his London flat looking back on his life – his failures and his achievements - from what would be his final weekend during the Bank Holiday in August 1967."

Although "The boys" themselves are not represented in the play – a number of local personalities of the time are - Bill Harry, Bob Wooler, Sam Leach, Allan Williams – all characters in the early 1960's Liverpool "Merseybeat" scene.

David Crosby continued: "The first act will cover his erratic and unsuccessful schooling, a spell of "National Service" in the Army, a year at RADA and a failed attempt to have a career as an actor – before settling into successfully running a record department in the family furniture shops (NEMS).

"In Act 2 he discovers the thriving and unique beat scene in the city and reflects on the year of struggle against the odds to convince disinterested record executives that this new Liverpool group are going to be “as big as Elvis”.

An actor aged 20-32 with a baby-face, public school accent and able to carry themselves as a very smartly-dressed successful business person.

Any actors wishing to read for the part (or other smaller parts) can contact Brian McCann on 07970627602, David Crosby on 07872563565 or wirralstages@aol.com