Backbeat at The Duke of York's Theatre, London The Story of the Fifth Beatle Backbeat is a musical adaptation of Iain Softley's BAFTA-nominated 1994 film which charts the rise of The Beatles from their humble Liverpool beginnings to their early performances in the clubs of Hamburg. The show focuses on the relationship between The Beatles original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe & his best friend John Lennon, made complicated by Sutcliffe’s feelings for the beatnik photographer Astrid Kirchherr. A talented artist, Sutcliffe was torn between the b&, Astrid & his artwork. Backbeat features several early songs performed by The Beatles, including: ‘ Twist & Shout’, ‘ Rock & Roll Music’, ‘ Long Tall Sally’ & ‘ Please Mr Postman’.