Photo Flash: First Look at Toronto's BACKBEAT!

BACKBEAT tells the real-life story of five teenage lads from Liverpool who dream of becoming a successful rock band. When John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe get a gig in Hamburg, they believe the road to stardom is theirs. But the reality they face when they arrive in the grimy German port city -- where they are told they have to play eight hours a night for seven days a week for months on end in a grungy underground club in the red-light district -- makes them reevaluate their ambitions and hone their craft.

Hamburg also provides the group with their first fans, one of whom -- a photography student named Astrid -- catches the eye of Stuart. What ensues is a love triangle between Stuart, Astrid and John, the results of which would have ramifications for each of the three principals and for the history of what would become the greatest band in history.

BACKBEAT presents this little-known back story as an intense and compelling drama, punctuated with all-time rock ‘n’ roll classics that the Beatles cut their teeth with – ‘Twist & Shout’, ‘Rock & Roll Music’, ‘Long Tall Sally’ ‘Please Mr Postman’ and ‘Money,' among many others. As well, the play shows us Paul and John collaborating on some of their early songs, providing insight as to how their private lives inspired their compositions.

Co-written by Iain Softley and Stephen Jeffreys (and based on the 1994 film by Iain Softley), BACKBEAT is directed by the internationally acclaimed David Leveaux, and stars the original multi-talented London cast, who not only portray these iconic characters but also perform all their music live on stage.