Epstein Years
Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles and himself a former drama student, leased the theatre in 1965, presenting both plays (including works by Arnold Wesker) and rock and roll shows. The venue became notorious for its Sunday night concerts, during one by Chuck Berry members of the audience stormed the stage and the police were called to clear the theatre.
The venue also saw the last UK appearance of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (in August 1967) before their groundbreaking Monterey Pop Festival performance. The Move and Procol Harum also appeared on the bill. Yoko Ono performed there in 1967 Friday December 8, world premier: THE FOG MACHINE, MUSIC of the MIND, there was a projection of her film Bottoms (Film No. 4) shown in the Men's Room during the Concert and all those who attend were asked to please bring a mirror, and using smoke machines to fill the auditorium. An eclectic mix of bands such as Nirvana, Cream, Fairport Convention, the Incredible String Band and The Bee Gees, also appeared there. Cream were supported one night by The Jeff Beck Group (Jeff had replaced Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds) featuring Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. John Mayall's Bluesbreakers were also on the bill featuring Mick Taylor. Mick Taylor had replaced Peter Green in the Bluesbreakers (who had replaced Eric Clapton). Mick Taylor joined the Rolling Stones and was then replaced by Ron Wood. A typical Sunday night at The Saville. The Rolling Stones played two shows Sunday 21 December 1969.
The Beatles themselves borrowed the Saville to make their "Hello, Goodbye" promo (an early music video) in 1967. While the promo did air in the United States, it wasn't allowed on British television because of a restriction on mimed performances.
When Epstein died in August 27, 1967, the later of two Jimi Hendrix Experience shows was cancelled, as a mark of respect, causing some confusion amongst arriving and exiting Hendrix fans outside in the street. The theatre was sold in 1969, and returned to presenting theatrical productions and under the new management it presented the London première of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, a production that brought Leonard Rossiter to public attention. The last play to be performed at the theatre was Enemy by Robert Maugham, opening for a short run in December 1969.
Read more about this topic: Saville Theatre, History
Famous quotes containing the words epstein and/or years:
“Annina: Monsieur Rick, what kind of man is Captain Renault?
Rick: Oh, he’s just like any other man, only more so.”
—Julius J. Epstein (1909–1952)
“I leave the governor’s office next week, and with it public life ... [which] has been on the whole a pleasant one. But for ten years and over my salaries have not equalled my expenses, and there has been a feeling of responsibility, a lack of independence, and a necessary neglect of my family and personal interests and comfort, which make the prospect of a change comfortable to think of.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)