JOHN SONGBOOK RETURNS TO LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL

Now The John Lennon Songbook is returning to the Philharmonic Hall in a new staging as part of the Liverpool Philharmonic Summer Pops and the Liverpool Phil’s 175th anniversary.

First performed in Liverpool to sell-out audiences in 2008 during the city’s year as Capital of Culture and again in 2010, including performances in Shanghai and Beijing during the Phil’s first tour to China, Liverpool actor and vocalist Mark McGann reprises his role as Lennon in the concert.

The 53-year-old first stepped in to the shoes of John Lennon as a teenager at the Liverpool Everyman in the 1981 hit play Lennon, written by Bob Eaton, which made him a star.

He has since reprised the role on stage and on film, including in his show In My Life and has picked up a coveted Olivier Award along the way for his portrayal of the Beatles’ frontman.

 

The John Lennon Songbook at the Philharmonic Hall

He said today: “‘It’s been an honour and great privilege to work closely with the world class RLPO on The John Lennon Songbook in recent years.

“I certainly hadn’t expected to be approached by a renowned symphony orchestra to perform John’s searingly honest, warts and all, autobiographical compositions.

“I also admit that I initially thought it a rather strange marriage of musical genres but was intrigued by the challenge of bringing such iconic rock and pop songs effectively to an orchestral conclusion.

“Then I heard Andrew Cottee’s astounding arrangements played by the orchestra and knew instantly these challenges hadn’t just been met, but surpassed in the most glorious of ways. It was breath-taking.”

Mark and the orchestra, under the baton of conductor Clark Rundell, will be joined by one of the most talked-about young singer/songwriters of her generation, Polly Gibbons, who has performed at all the leading UK jazz clubs, international festivals and is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s performing with the All Stars.

She said: “There are at least two firsts for me with this project. I’ve never sung with a symphony orchestra and I’ve never been to Liverpool!

“So to be singing the music of John Lennon, in his home town and with this legendary orchestra on my first visit is a true privilege. I’m very much looking forwards to the whole experience.”