Forum Theatre, Malvern – 25th March 2023
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
The Bootleg Beatles back at Malvern Theatres – I’m there already!
The lights dimmed, the video wall set the scene in glorious monochrome and our heroes got straight into a commemoration of the 60th anniversary (this week) of Please Please Me. The attention to detail in this show is astonishing with the early Beatles logo with insect antennae on the bass drum head showing meticulous care, adding to the atmosphere.
I love the early stuff but it’s Rubber Soul and Revolver which, for me, see The Beatles going from a popular band writing wondrous pop songs to something truly earth shattering. So when The Bootlegs reappeared with the longer wigs, the 1966 tour costumes and matching Epiphone Casinos, my heart leapt. The band play these songs with commendable ease (especially the fiendishly tricky vocal harmonies on Paperback Writer and Nowhere Man) displaying their formidable musicianship, reproducing the visceral excitement of those records. George’s (Steve Hill) playing gets a special mention for “Taxman” alone and a note perfect playing of that fizzing lead guitar riff. Sensational!
Revolver (of course) expanded the band’s instrumental palette, necessitating extra players onstage. “Got To Get You Into My Life” gave the horn/woodwind section a muscular introduction and “Tomorrow Never Knows” gave everyone the chance to go wonderfully bonkers. What a stunning achievement to recreate this seminal track so accurately. A total joy to hear played live and what a way to end the first half of a show!
The second half took us into psychedelic realms courtesy of the Magical Mystery Tour era and pre-Pepper double sided love song to Liverpool; “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane”. John (Tyson Kelly) and Paul (Steve White) gave us another round in the ongoing verbal battle of who had the coveted A side. Very entertaining; the Bootlegs sure knows the original band’s stuff with these in jokes. Ringo (Gordon Ellesmore) got his famous spotlit moment with “Yellow Submarine” before “All You Need Is Love” and “I Am The Walrus” gave the orchestra another chance to stand out, especially the strings!
A final change and the band exploded into a scintillating rendition of “Revolution” and the ‘68-69 era complete with encore including “Hey Jude”. Was it really all over? Nah (na na na na na…) well, yes, unfortunately it was.
A very different feel to last year but no less enjoyable, only different. With a songbook like this it’s hard to go wrong! A splendid time was guaranteed for all and with so many hits from them to us I did feel very fine!
The show is perfection incarnate: the mannerisms, the Beatle humour, the outfits, all those gorgeous guitars – I’d pay just to look at those lined up – everything present and very correct. They also have a natural rapport with their adoring audience as shown by the thoughtful way George gave a couple of young fans some picks.
I cannot recommend this show highly enough. During these worrying times it should be prescribed on the NHS! I only hope they please please me with another visit very soon.