Epstein: The Play, Leicester Square Theatre, London
- Written by Nick Levine
Photo Credit: David Munn
As the manager of the Beatles, Brian Epstein was able to watch a global phenomenon develop from the sidelines. In spite of being close to such celebrity, very little was known about his private life.
In this two man play, put on by Bill Elms & Jen Heyes Productions, the spotlight is centered on Epstein, as opposed to the four famous lads from Liverpool whom he was credited as discovering.
Set in a plush Belgravia bachelor pad, the narrative revolves around Epstein bringing back an aspiring young journalist who is keen to make his mark by revealing the true story about Epstein’s life.
“This Boy,” played by Will Finlanson, is portrayed as one of the many impressionable young boys who would audition for Epstein, in the hope of becoming a star.
The first act focuses significantly on Finlanson’s character, who is primarily used as a narrative device to eek out information from the reclusive Epstein. Whilst Epstein, played by Andrew Lancel, is initially unsure of the motives of the young boy, this changes when he recites a moving piece of prose about seeing The Beatles perform in the Cavern Club. When Finlanson performs the piece its delivery is made more emotive by the stage lighting dimming just to focus on his character.
Epstein is represented as being an outsider and a tortured soul, in spite of the trappings which fame and fortune has brought him. This becomes apparent when Lancel’s character recalls an anecdote from when he was at school and was bullied for being gay and Jewish. In this scene, the audience is invited to suspend their disbelief by Finlanson, still dressed as “This Boy,” being portrayed as a school bully interacting with Epstein.
Other clever narrative devices include the backing of Epstein’s flat turning into a television screen to show an animation of him walking into a concert by the Beatles and discovering them for the first time.
In the second act of the play Epstein’s discovery of the Beatles and his business acumen are put under scrutiny by Finlanson’s character. “This Boy” confronts Epstein by making him aware of the accusations that his discovery of The Beatles is disputed and that he signed them up to a recording contract which resulted in them earning less money than The Rolling Stones, despite selling more records.
Finlanson’s character tries to get Epstein to reveal his true life story, and not the clichés and studied ancedotes which are frequently relayed to the media. However, due to a combination of an intensely private life and an identity intrinsically linked with The Beatles, he is represented as a marginal and tragic figure.
This is given an air of finality when “This Boy,” narrates to the audience that Epstein died within days of him completing his interview at the Beatles manager’s abode.