Around the Beatles

Synopsis

Television special featuring The Beatles. At the beginning of the show the group performs a parody of the Pyramus and Thisbe scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a 1960’s version of the Globe Theatre complete with thrust stage. Ringo raises a flag on the theatre roof that announces the show’s title, AROUND THE BEATLES. The performance is interrupted by planted hecklers, an odd notion which appears to perturb the screaming fans who believe that the hecklers are criticising their beloved Beatles.

Series

Around the Beatles

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Television

Transmission details

6 May 1964 at 21:45 (Channel: ITV)

Duration

63 mins

Credits

Director

Rita Gillespie

Producer

Jack Good

Production Design

Roy Stannard

Cast

George Harrison	Moonshine (Robin Starveling)
John Lennon	Thisbe (Francis Flute)
Paul McCartney	Pyramus (Nick Bottom)
Ringo Starr	Lion (Snug)

Additional Details

Production type

Sitcoms/Variety

Plays

Midsummer Night’s Dream, A

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes

The sketch is included on the DVD FUN WITH THE FAB FOUR available from amazon.com and on the DVD BEATLES AROUND THE WORLD (Region 1).

General

The producer was British pop impresario, Jack Good who went on to create the rock opera Catch My Soul, based on Othello, which was later filmed - directed by Patrick McGoohan - who earlier had played the Iago figure in the British jazz milieu film based on Othello, ALL NIGHT LONG.

History

Transmitted in the US in the SHINDIG series on ABC 15 November 1965.

Production Company

Name

Associated-Rediffusion

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7255 1444

Fax

020 7436 0165

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN