Let It Be at the Mayflower Theatre Review
Let It Be
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
12-17 May 2014
Reviewed by Lorraine Knight
I thought I’d take my husband to watch Let It Be, as his passion is music. I confess to only knowing the well-known Beatles hits and one’s my parents played while I was growing up.
We arrived at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton and browsed through the program before taking our comfortable seats. We were 5th row from the front. I did wonder if it would be too loud but it was fine. My husband pointed out the Vox speakers on the stage, which would have been the same make of speakers used 50 years ago. Nice touch. The theatre was very full and we waited with excitement.
Hanging from the top of the stage were 2 old style televisions and a large replica radio. Throughout the show these televisions showed images of Sixties adverts, and pictures relating to the event, for instance pictures of the crowds when they played the Shea Stadium and of the crowds during the Beatles heyday, many a fan fainting, none of that happened here though fortunately!
The televisions were showing clips from The Cavern Club and as the curtains drew back the scene was set. The Fab Four burst out with I Saw Her Standing There, the crowd cheered. Reuven Gershon who played John Lennon was very convincing in this role, so good his impersonation even down to the comment about something that happened at The Royal Albert Hall during the Royal Variety Performance ‘everyone in the front shake your jewellery’.
Throughout the first half they sang their hearts out, with amazing costume changes particularly for Sgt. Pepper era. My favourite track of the night was Eleanor Rigby. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds had a surreal set and suited the song perfectly.
At the end of the first half they encouraged everyone to stand and sing and clap along, most people took part, in fact one lady who judging by her age may have seen the Beatles in the 60’s was positively cheering and waving frantically at them as they sung.
The second half was much more low key at the beginning with The Beatles singing many tracks which I wasn’t familiar with but looking around a lot of the audience were singing along. The sound in The Mayflower was just right and my foot was tapping nearly all the way through.
Near the end they encouraged us to stand again but this time everyone was more enthusiastic and joining in singing and dancing. When they finished and encouraged us to shout and clap for an encore there were cheers when they sang Let It Be. I thought this would definitely be the last track but again they surprised me with Hey Jude. This track was perfect for audience participation and ended the show perfectly with everyone singing along – near me anyway! 2½ hours had flown by.
As we left all you could hear around was ‘wasn’t it brilliant’, ‘best show I’ve ever seen’ ‘amazing’. For someone who wouldn’t class themselves as an avid Beatle fan I did enjoy the show a lot and for all the people who would have seen the original Beatles in the 60’s and not really of been able to hear a thing except screams I would recommend this show highly.
A great transition from the West End to a theatre near you with shows still running throughout the country until 5th July.
The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton has easy access from the M27 and there is a multi-storey car park 5 minutes walk away which costs a maximum of £3 at night.
Tickets cost from £23 to £39.
For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 02380 711811.
Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GE | 02380 711811