New Epstein Theatre show tells the story of the Liverpool legend who made – then lost – The Beatles

A musical telling the story of the Liverpool legend who helped make then ‘gave away’ The Beatles will give a Fab launch to the Epstein Theatre’s first full season since reopening.

Shake It Up Baby looks back on the early days of the band through the perspective of their first manager Allan Williams, played by Andrew Schofield.

The club owner and promoter, who died in 2016, narrates the show, beginning with their now famous trip as teenagers to Hamburg in 1960 in the back of his van.

Written by Liverpool playwright Ian Salmon, it’s been billed as “a tale of dreamers, visionaries, of sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, love and loss, hope and failure and absolute success.”

Opening on September 26 until October 11, Shake It Up Baby is being directed by Stephen Fletcher, who recently directed the sold-out extended run of Shirley Valentine with Helen Carter at the Everyman.

He says this show is the perfect start to the new season at a much-loved theatre which has so much Liverpool heritage itself:

“Shake It Up Baby gives a new view on the start of a story everyone thinks they know. It’s about one of the greatest exports from the city, The Beatles, but it’s also the story before the story, about where and how it all started.

“Allan Williams is known as ‘the man who gave away The Beatles’ but what’s less focused on is how motivated he was, how much of a go-getter and a survivor he was.

“Although Allan’s story has been documented along the way and he was quite vocal throughout his life about his part in it, I don’t think it’s ever been presented on stage in this way.

“There have been lots of Beatles musicals that are staged almost as a gig, but this isn’t that. And it’s not a documentary, it’s a retrospective with music throughout from the all American songbook that The Beatles were covering at Litherland Town Hall, the Cavern and Hamburg. 

“Allan is telling his story when he’s towards the later stages of his life and looking back, and these ghosts from his past including the young Beatles are around him. 

“Everything comes from his angle, and of course there are lots of hidden stories we delve into that people don’t know about, but it’s also very respectful to his drive and passion and what he achieved. 

“Even the elements of the eventual story he couldn’t have known about – what happens when he’s no longer a part of it – are still in his voice, told through hearsay and witness stories we know about since.”

Shake It Up Baby will feature a 10-strong cast of actor/musicians from the city, alongside an ensemble of six from WOW Liverpool, a not-for-profit musical theatre company based on Hope Street.

It will be the flagship show for the Epstein’s new autumn season after a soft opening over the past few months.

“It’s great to have the Epstein open again, it’s another option for theatre in the city and it’s really getting its voice again,” says Stephen. “Hopefully this is the start of putting it back to where it should be.”

Shake It Up Baby is at the Epstein from September 26 to October 11. 

Book tickets for Shake It Up Baby are available on the Epstein Theatre website.

Find more theatre shows across Liverpool here.

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