ED FRINGE 2023 REVIEW | The Beatles Were A Boyband
★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Sarah
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
In case you didn’t know, it was the young female fans who played a significant role in both discovering and elevating the careers of Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and yes, The Beatles; popularity sprung, and only then did others turn their heads towards these “greats."
‘The Beatles Were A Boyband’, cleverly titled to highlight the ever-present sexism that women experience on a daily basis, gives the audience a convincing character portrait of three close girlfriends navigating gender-based violence and its consequences.
Sparsley staged, but impactful and sincere, the show handles difficult themes [violence against women, sexual assault & street harassment] maturely, showcasing some emotionally-charged acting by its leads, and experimenting with fresh creative elements, yet in a considered way.
The audience sits in on the trio’s fiery debates and conversations — both trivial and tremendous — that all circle back to the same core message: women are not alone in their struggle for safety.
‘The Beatles Were A Boyband’ is a raw and compelling piece of theatre by Rachel O’Regan, and with the cast breaking the fourth wall at the show's end for a call-to-action, its sense of urgency is heard, appreciated, and much-needed!
