Around the Beatles
The show opens on an image of the Globe Theatre, with Ringo Starr unfurling a flag with the legend "Around The Beatles". The studio setting is arranged as a theater in the round, (hence the show's name) echoing the seating arrangement of the Globe. The opening act is a humorous rendition of the "play within a play", Pyramus and Thisbe (Act V, Scene I) from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, with Paul McCartney as Pyramus, John Lennon as his lover Thisbe, George Harrison as Moonshine, and Starr as Lion.
Insights
Plot Summary
This one-off television special was produced by Rediffusion London and aired on ITV. It features The Beatles performing a selection of their songs, interspersed with comedic sketches and guest performances. The special also includes a segment where the band showcases their burgeoning interest in classical music, performing a rendition of the "Overture" from Tchaikovsky's "1812 Festival Overture."
Critical Reception
As a lighthearted entertainment special, "Around the Beatles" was generally well-received for its musical performances and the charm of The Beatles themselves. While not a critical darling in terms of cinematic artistry, it served its purpose as a showcase for the band's popularity and evolving musicality during a pivotal point in their career.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its energetic musical numbers from The Beatles.
- Appreciated for the band's engaging presence and comedic sketches.
- Seen as a fun, albeit somewhat simplistic, television event of its time.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this 1964 television special is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The special was filmed on December 2, 1964, at Wembley Studios in London, and was one of the few times The Beatles performed live on television without pre-recorded backing tracks for some of their numbers.
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