Beatles musical Let it Be comes back to Mayflower Theatre

Sixties-style hysteria returned to Southampton as the ‘fab four’ performed an exclusive set.

The talented musicians from the West End hit Let it Be entertained special guests with an impromptu set ahead of their week-long stint in Hampshire with the show in May.

James Fox playing Paul McCartney, Michael Gagliano as John Lennon, George Harrison look and sound-a-like John Brosnan, and Ben Cullingworth, also known as Ringo Starr, impressed with renditions of I Saw Her Standing There, I Feel Fine and Help.

They also caused a stir as they stopped traffic to cross Commercial Road in the iconic Abbey Road style and recreated several poses from 1963 when The Beatles appeared at the then Gaumont for gathered photographers.

James Fox, who appeared on the BBC’s Fame Academy and represented the UK at The Eurovision Song Contest before playing McCartney, told the Daily Echo: “It shouldn’t really be a West End show, but it is.

“It’s brilliant. People keep coming back, the music’s great and the production values are so high. I think it’s even better on the road because rather than mainly tourists, these are the people who actually bought the records, and we thrive on their energy.”

John Brosnan, the band’s lead guitarist and George Harrison character, added: “This show has to be as good as it is to have survived this long in London. It works well and it’s great to take it to different cities.”

n Let It Be is a spectacular concert show featuring more than 40 of the band’s greatest hits. It’s at the Mayflower Theatre from May 12 to 17. Tickets are on sale now from mayflower.org.uk or 023 8071 1811.