Back to the Beat

Softley’s film Backbeat told the story of Stuart Sutcliffe, ‘the fifth Beatle’, John Lennon’s best friend and a member of The Beatles. When they went to Hamburg, Sutcliffe fell in love with Astrid Kirchherr, the photographer who helped invent The Beatles’ look. Sutcliffe faced a difficult decision, between the woman he loves or a band on the cusp of stardom.

Softley wanted to examine the mix of art and rock ‘n’ roll. He realised that this story was a perfect example of his theme, but was also "much bigger, more creative and significant."

Rather than just using the film, Softley reworked the script. Granted access to new material from Sutcliffe’s family and Astrid, he wanted the play "to be the star" and not a West End production that starred a TV personality. He found support from the Citizens.

The use of live music has Softley really excited: the actors will be performing live. The Beatles originally had a punk-like vibe, that Softley claims some called "an assault on the senses."

Softley says Backbeat, "is not really about The Beatles. It looks at what young people go through when trying to figure out their identity. It’s as important today as when it happened."

It is that immediacy that Softley will be aiming for. The Beatles may be Britain’s best cultural export of the 20th Century, but they were once aspiring artists who had a dream and were filled with uncertainty: not only of who they were but of what they were to become. [Gareth K Vile]