Let It Be at the Birmingham Hippodrome Review
Let It Be
Birmingham Hippodrome
25-30 April 2016
Review by Deborah Narciso
Following a highly successful West End run this jukebox musical is now touring the country.
Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the largest touring theatres in the UK. It is centrally located and easily accessed by both public transport and car. The directions are clearly given on the theatres own website. I arrived by train and had an easy five minute walk to the theatre. This is a well kept theatre with a large auditorium which lends itself to touring productions as it can accommodate a variety of sets. The facilities were excellent with roomy comfy seats in the stalls with adequate leg room.
Located in Hurst Street the theatre is surrounded by restaurants in a cross section of price points. We chose to eat at the theatre and used the Deli bar as we were arriving straight from work. The sandwich and cake were fresh and tasty and reasonably priced.
If a sit down meal is required (or indeed if you have time!) the Circle restaurant offers a good choice of pre dinner food even allowing you to have desert during the interval. On the website you can also pre order champagne and canapés which would be a lovely idea for a special occasion.
Be ready to scream and to be 17 again is the opening statement and that certainly is true. Let it be is a different sort of jukebox musical. There is little in the way of story it is more like watching a concert with a little news coverage explaining the next stage of the Beatle phenomenon. The important factor in this musical is the excellent musicians who make up the ‘Beatles’. This is an ensemble piece with a rotating set of musicians taking the lead roles. Very accomplished in their own right they have been performing Beatles music for many years in one way or another. Tonight’s cast performed brilliantly each bringing alive their own ‘Beatle’.
Each different incarnation The Cavan club, the USA stadium, etc had its highlights but for me (and I believe many of the audience) the best part was the acoustic set during the second half. Particularly – Here comes the Sun. There were a couple of technical hitches during this set but these were dealt with in good grace by the cast, the crew and the audience and in no way distracted from the enjoyment of the production.
A big mention must be made to the set design and staging. Responsible for transporting the audience back to the 60’s and the era of flower power this was done through backdrops, film and psychedelic images. The costumes fitted perfectly with the sets and added to the different flavours of each of the times.
The Birmingham week of the tour is now selling out fast however with 10 more venues and the tour continuing to July – find a date and venue near you and boogie on down!
Tickets range from £13.50 to £30. This is a West End show and cast at regional prices representing great value for money.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £13.50 (booking fees may apply).
Let It Be is at the Birmingham Hippodrome until 30 April 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 338 5000.
Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB | 0844 338 5000
