LIVERPOOL'S OTHER FAB FOUR

Growing up in Liverpool, the McGann brothers worshipped The Beatles, whose songs provided the soundtrack and inspiration to dream big. Now, Mark and Paul have Come Together for a dazzling stage show that relives their childhood during Beatlemania

- By Karen Rockett

ET Back to the beginnings of Beatlemania and Twist and Shout with a new stage show that pays homage to two Fab Fours. Because there was more than one to break out of Liverpool at roughly the same time. Closely following in the footsteps of John, Paul, George and Ringo came Joe, Paul, Mark and Stephen aka the McGann brothers, who went on to create an acting dynasty.

After growing up in Kensington, a deprived working-class area of the city, with their younger sister Clare, all the brothers made their names on stage and screen. And they couldn’t fail to be influenced by the other four working-class boys who made good through showbusiness, too.

The stories of both foursomes have been brought together in a theatrical production written and performed by Mark McGann, alongside his brother Paul, who is best known for the cult film Withnail and I as well as The Monocled Mutineer and Hornblower.

Mark McGann: In His Life maps his time growing up with his family in Merseyside during Beatlemania. It includes his memories of 1960s Liverpool with both Beatles songs and original music sung by him and Paul.

Twice nominated for an Olivier award — once for Lennon in 1985 and Up on the Roof in 1987 — the actor, now 64, says fans can expect “some great music, poignant moments and laughs, new insight into our lives and stories not heard publicly before, and a genuine celebration of what it is to be brothers”.

He also tells the Express: “As boys growing up in Liverpool in the Sixties and Seventies we were, of course, surrounded by this music - and the songs in the show reinforce the narrative.

“When someone in our house started singing we would all end up joining in, lined up by my mum in front of the washing-up bowl for our evening wash or in our bedroom, tucked into our two sets of bunk beds at night.