This show is so full of passion and vibrancy that it felt a shame we were confined to our seats and could not get up and dance.

Directed by Bob Eaton and Howard Gray, “Two of Us” is a truly delightful musical double act that steers the audience chronologically through a charming selection of Lennon and McCartney’s music and relationship. Beginning from their account of Lennon and McCartney first meeting in 1957 right up to the dissolution of The Beatles in 1970 with a stellar choice of song catalogue, this is a performance that I would urge all Beatles fans, both young and old, to attend. 

In between brilliant song renditions, our John and Paul (Mark Newnham and Tom Connor respectively) deftly narrate their way through the highs and lows of The Beatles’ history. The pair never missed a beat, keeping us entertained right through with witty back-and-forth. It got me thinking about this kind of performance, particularly as a vastly underutilised and superior production format. I think this is especially true when compared to the ubiquitous biopics that have increasingly been criticized for excessive focus on and glamorization of more negative aspects of the subject’s lives. “Two of Us” is thus a refreshing take on Lennon and McCartney’s music and friendship. Newnham and Connor exude an undeniable passion for the music that manifests in every vibrant performance and the mastery of their instruments. Tom Connor is an uncanny Paul in voice as well as mannerisms. With an arch of the eyebrows and the odd shake of the head, he captures the essence of McCartney. 

This is not to neglect to mention the rest of the band, all of which were exceptional. Ben Gladwin on keys, Greg Joys on drums, Mike Woodvine on guitar, and Adam Keast on bass are all given ample room to showcase their expertise of the song catalogue while blending together harmoniously. The run time of about two hours with one interval feels like the perfect duration for their sampling of each Beatles era while ultimately leaving the audience wanting more. The Royal Court Theatre is a perfect venue for this production; with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a seating layout allowing for chatting with your neighbours, it was easy to see how much everyone else thoroughly enjoyed the performance. I would even go as far as to bet you would be hard-pressed to find a concertgoer that was not enthralled and delighted by the show. Make sure to catch this production before its last showing on the 25th of February in Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre.