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

Director

Rita Gillespie

Producer

Jack Good

Production Design

Roy Stannard

Cast

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.

SHAKESPEARE