Fringe preview: Magical Mystery Hour

• Kirstyn Smith
• 18 August 2015

This article is from 2015.

John Lennon: In His Own Write

Fab shows about the Fab Four

It’s been 45 years since the Beatles called it a day, but thanks to their influence on music during the decade or so they were together, people still have a lot to say about the foursome, and the Fringe is no exception.

The ‘cool’ one to those who haven’t given George Harrison a chance, Lennon’s untimely death contributes to his legend status, not having had the chance to turn into a thumbs-upping, ‘peace and love’-ing, stereotype of a Fab Four. Two shows this year take Lennon as their centrepiece: Lennon: Through a Glass Onion is a quasi-tribute act, taking in his life and career, focusing not only on the obvious big hitters, but allowing his lesser-known hits to take centre stage. John Lennon: In His Own Write, on the other hands, is an impressive undertaking – presenting Lennon’s first book on stage in its entirety. In His Own Write, composed at the height of Beatlemania, is a collection of poems, stories and drawings that are improvised, wry and nonsensical.

Spreading the Beatles net more widely, A Life With The Beatles explores the scene from a different point of view – that of trusted road manager Neil Aspinall – and takes place one night during the recording of ‘A Day in the Life’. In Come Together Barb Jungr and John McDaniel present classic and unexpected interpretations of the band’s biggest and best, while adding even more absurdity to the Beatles’ tale, Honky Bonk History of The Beatles promises, simply, ‘It’s gonna get weird.’

Lennon: Through a Glass Onion, Assembly Hall, 623 3030, until 28 Aug (not 25), times vary, £15–£17.50.
John Lennon: In His Own Write, Voodoo Rooms, 226 000, until 30 Aug, 5.10pm, free.
A Life With The Beatles, Sweet Grassmarket, 243 3596, until 30 Aug, 5.15pm, £9 (£7).
Come Together, Barb Jungr and John McDaniel Perform The Beatles, The Assembly Rooms, 0844 693 3008, 19–21 Aug, 1.45pm, £12.
Honky Bonk History of The Beatles, Heroes @ Bob’s Blundabus, 226 0000, 27–31 Aug, 9.45pm, £5.