Brain Epstein biopic relived Port Sunlight Beatles link

A piece of Beatles history was re-enacted when a scene from a new biopic of the band’s manager, Brian Epstein, was shot in the village hall where Ringo Starr made his debut with the Fab Four.

Several Merseyside locations were used in Midas Man including Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight where Starr performed with the band two days after drummer Pete Best was sacked.

The newly released film stars Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as Epstein, who masterminded the Beatles’ rise to global superstardom.

Directed by Joe Stephenson, it was also filmed at locations in Blackpool, London and Los Angeles.

The release comes as VisitLiverpool and Liverpool Film Office launch a new campaign – ‘Liverpool, The Ultimate Setting’ – showcasing the city region’s rich film history and its reputation as a filming hub and film tourism centre.

Mike Ward, chief commercial officer at Port Sunlight Village Trust, said its 2021 filming “must have been like stepping back in time to that evening when The Beatles and Brian Epstein arrived to Hulme Hall, just on the cusp of taking over the world.”

Among those who witnessed filming was Port Sunlight-born visitor David Thomas, who attended the historic 1962 gig a few weeks after seeing the band for the first time at The Cavern Club when Best was drummer and the band had recently returned from their residency in Hamburg.

Best was sacked by Epstein at the request of the other three band members on 16 August 1962, in the wake of their first recording session on 6 June where producer George Martin had expressed disquiet about Best’s drumming.

Best’s sacking outraged local fans in Liverpool.

However, two days after the dismissal, Starr found himself on drums with The Beatles booked to play Hulme Hall, which is now an events venue, for the Port Sunlight Horticultural Society annual dance.

“I couldn’t believe the difference. Their appearance was so different, wearing smart suits… I was so impressed with Ringo’s excellent drumming,” Mr Thomas recalled.

“I remember seeing their new manager, Brian Epstein, standing to the right of the stage in a dark overcoat.”

The Port Sunlight gig came at a transitional time personally and professionally in the band’s history.

Five days after the Hulme Hall concert John Lennon married Cynthia Powell at Liverpool Registry Office.

In less than two months, the band’s first single, Love Me Do, entered the charts on 5 October.

A year later came their first mega hit, She Loves You, ushering in Beatlemania and ensuring they would never play venues like Hulme Hall again.