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Beatles forums => Films, TV Shows, Interviews => Topic started by: Sondra on June 28, 2004, 03:59:36 AM

Title: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on June 28, 2004, 03:59:36 AM
Has anyone seen the Midsummer Night's Dream sketch they do where John and Paul play the lovers Pyramus and Thisbe? Ringo is the lion and George is the Moon. Ahhh! I can't believe I didn't even know this existed untill I bought the Fun With the Fab Four DVD recently. This is the cutest thing I've EVER seen! John in a blonde wig and dress is my favorite, but Paul looks extremely adorable in his costume. If I would have seen this as a kid I would have had a heart attack. For sure. Why didn't they include this on the Anthology DVD??? It's just too cute.
Paul as Pyramus. I don't know if the image will work, but I'll try!
(http://www.angelfire.com/pa/turberville/McCartney_Images/pyramus2.jpg)
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: on June 28, 2004, 05:08:44 AM
Yeah, it's a good bit, John and Paul especially (what can George do? He's just a wall).
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: The End on June 28, 2004, 01:14:22 PM
I've never seen that DVD or even the clip - although I seen loads of pics from it (not much consolation though!)

I did a write-up here on the forum about that mini-play - but I can't find it!!! Basically it's taken from "Around The Beatles" from 1964. Here's what I wrote on another thread about the tracks they performed (still can't find my Shakesperian write-up though!!!). My reply was to a query about a performance of Roll Over Beethoven on the Anthology DVD.


"It's from a show called Around The Beatles - so called because the Beatles are performing with the audience (of screaming girls!) all around them (from the Shakespearian term 'in the round'). The show, filmed at Wembley Studios London, was broadcast on 28th April 1964. The show gives the impression that they are performing live - they are not! They actually recorded their songs on 19th April at IBC studios, Portland Place, London, and mimed to them on the show!

The set list of the show is as follows:

Twist And Shout
Roll Over Beethoven
I Wanna Be Your Man
Long Tall Sally
Medley:
Love Me Do/Please Please Me/From Me To You/She Loves You/I Want To Hold Your Hand
Can't Buy Me Love
Shout

The interesting thing about THIS set is the fact that Shout (an Isley Brothers hit from 1959) is performed! Actually it's more like Shout part 2, which was the b-side of Shout - the bit where it goes "a little bit louder now...". This is the only recorded version available of this track.

Four of the tracks (without screams!) appear on the Anthology One CD - I Wanna Be Your Man, Long Tall Sally, Boys and an edited version of Shout. The good news is there is (or was!) a video available of this performance! It's called The Beatles Live Ready Steady Go Special Edition. It was released in 1985 by DCI (Dave Clark International) & Picture Music."
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Bruno on June 28, 2004, 01:34:20 PM
does that mean the show is available in DVD?
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on June 28, 2004, 08:47:14 PM
I would love to see that entire show. It seems like only parts of it are available on different DVD's. I recommend getting a hold of the Pyramus and Thisbe sketch. It's hysterical.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: tkitna on June 29, 2004, 12:07:47 AM
[quote by=Bruno link=Blah.pl?b=films,m=1088395176,s=3 date=1088429660]does that mean the show is available in DVD?[/quote]

It is available on DVD. I have it, but I cant remember if its on the "Fun With The Fab Four" or "Unauthorized" Beatles DVD at the moment. Its on one of them though and it shows the skit in its entirety.

Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on June 29, 2004, 12:13:29 AM
It's on Fun With the Fab Four. That's the one I have. I love all of the interviews on it too!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: The End on June 29, 2004, 12:15:09 AM
The video I mentioned only features their performances on the show - no skits!

I assume "Fun With The Beatles" is a bootleg (?) I'll have to keep an eye out for it... hopefully get in Liverpool in August!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on June 29, 2004, 12:16:49 AM
You can get it at Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006G8GS/qid=1088468323/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl74/102-2018608-9390548?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: tkitna on June 29, 2004, 12:38:08 AM
[quote by=The_End link=Blah.pl?b=films,m=1088395176,s=7 date=1088468109]The video I mentioned only features their performances on the show - no skits!

[/quote]


You'll have to excuse my lingo TE. The DVD (FWTFF) has the entire play on it. Theres no extra skits shown or anything else.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Bruno on June 29, 2004, 01:48:29 AM
I never heard of that dvd and it looks interesting judging by the reviews of the customers
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: pc31 on June 29, 2004, 11:10:52 PM
yes i have the fun one but am trying to download the whole around the beatles show.the wall was morcombe i think or his partner,wise or those are two other guys.i think its a christmas show.the around the beatles starts when a flag with around the beatles is raised then ringo fires a cannon and acts he hits something and sneaks out a nearby exit.thats all i got so far tho,someone in germany who visits winmx has the whole show.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: The End on June 30, 2004, 12:00:56 AM
The "Shakesperian" scenes are not from one of their Christmas stage shows  - they were part of an opening sketch for a TV special, Around The Beatles, broadcast in April 1964. The wall was neither Eric Morecambe or Ernie Wise - in fact I don't recognise this actor at all, but it's definitely not Eric or Ernie. :)
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: The End on June 30, 2004, 12:01:39 AM
Did you know, Paul McCartney named his cat 'Thisbe'!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: tkitna on June 30, 2004, 12:40:36 AM
Thisbe my dear though I spend my days in conversation Please Remember me...

Just doesnt sound the same.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Rowdy on June 30, 2004, 07:14:24 PM
I've seen this....easily the highpoint of a rather boring dvd.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on June 30, 2004, 07:18:24 PM
I like the part of the sketch where some guy in the audience keeps yelling stuff at them and they are yelling back.  The rest of the audience keeps shshing this guy.  It's funny!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on June 30, 2004, 11:21:33 PM
It's all the guys yelling at the boys! Jealous! I like that the girls keep telling them to shut up and one even pulls a guys hair to get him to stop!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on June 30, 2004, 11:25:26 PM
Too funny!!  I can only imagine how jealous all the guys were back then!!!!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Soft_Guitar60 on July 01, 2004, 08:17:00 PM
Actually Paul had two cats...he named the first one Thisbe and the other one Pyramus.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on July 01, 2004, 08:59:35 PM
[quote by=Rowdy link=Blah.pl?b=films,m=1088395176,s=15 date=1088622864]I've seen this....easily the highpoint of a rather boring dvd.[/quote]

I like the DVd.  But then I could watch the Beatles sleeping and be entertained!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on July 02, 2004, 12:23:55 AM
I agree...
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: ringorama on July 02, 2004, 04:46:33 AM
Omg! I loved that skit! It was hillarious. I enjoyed when that girl grabbed the one boys hair, that was pretty great.

"You ladies, you who fear the smallest, monsterous mouse that walks the floor may now perchance both quake and tremble here, when Lion rough and wildest rage doth roar" and then the wimpy "arrr". Then the boys start making fun of him, and he's like "But know that I, one Ringo the drummer am, for if I were really a lion I wouldn't be making all the money I am today, would I?" That's classic, my favorite part of the whole thing. Oh that and "Thisbe, thisabe" "WHAT?!" John dressed up in the dress with the pig tails was great.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Stratford on July 04, 2004, 03:34:01 PM
I first saw it after I and my sister had picked the 'Beatles around the World' DVD up on a sale, thinking it was just some low-quality filmed performances. Lo and behold, we couldn't believe our eyes when it opened with this skit! The whole thing is just so silly and over the top, but I laugh each and every time.

George: "All I want to tell you is this lamp is... the moon you see, you got it? I'm the man in the moon. This thornbush is my thornbush, and this doggie-woggie here is my dog. And if you don't shut up I'll give you a kick in the - "

John (to 'Pyramus'): "Not a word, not a word... (to audience) SHUDDUP! (Back again) Not a word."
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Soft_Guitar60 on July 07, 2004, 03:41:36 PM
http://groups.msn.com/BACKTOTHE60SWITHFRIENDS/atributetothebeatlespage1.msnw

You can listen parts from Pyramus and Thisbe on this site if you click the pics (scroll down first).
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on July 13, 2004, 06:59:13 PM
That link did not work for me.  None of pictures at the top showed up.  I got the pictures from the sketch, but they would not play for me. 

Anybody else have a problem?
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on July 13, 2004, 09:31:04 PM
[quote by=ringorama link=Blah.pl?b=films,m=1088395176,s=22 date=1088743593] Oh that and "Thisbe, thisabe" "WHAT?!" John dressed up in the dress with the pig tails was great. [/quote]

I LOVE that part. John is hysterical! I also love the face Paul makes when John is saying:
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on July 14, 2004, 06:56:17 AM
I just watched it again today!  I had to after reading all of these posts.  It still makes me laugh out loud.  Those guys in the audience are such punks. 

I definitely recommend buying whichever DVD you find that has this skit.  I have it on the "Fun with the Fab Four" DVD.  This one also has a lot of footage from foreign tv shows that I had never seen before. 
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Soft_Guitar60 on July 14, 2004, 07:06:02 PM
"Go back to Liverpool!"...That was hilarious! (It was said to Paul)
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: ringorama on July 15, 2004, 04:37:09 AM
I love it when Paul is like "Thisbe, theisabe" and John goes "WHAT?!" that was great, I love John's deep voice while he's playing the girl, it's hillar.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on July 15, 2004, 05:58:52 AM
I love Paul's voice when he is saying "Thisbe, Theisabe"!!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Soft_Guitar60 on July 15, 2004, 02:20:03 PM
[quote by=beatlegirl200 link=Blah.pl?b=films,m=1088395176,s=30 date=1089871132]Did you notice that every once in a while, some of the girls in the front row would reach out and (try to) touch a Beatle when they walked by?
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sondra on July 15, 2004, 09:08:38 PM
I'm surprised some girl didn't run onstage and jump on one of them!! They were so cute.  One girl just puts her hand on Paul's arm at the end and keeps it there until he finally moves his arm away! Funny. By the way, Johns biceps looked great! That and his blacked out tooth! Very sexy!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on July 15, 2004, 10:18:21 PM
[quote by=Soft_Guitar60 link=Blah.pl?b=films,m=1088395176,s=31 date=1089901203]

(pray) Who wouldn't?[/quote]

I agree, but with my luck, I would have gotten thrown out of the studio.

Maccalvr, I agree about John's biceps, they did look great!!!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: pc31 on July 15, 2004, 10:30:53 PM
aaaahhhhhhh i wish i was a beatle...... any smart guy would have longed to be a beatle.babe magnet extraordinaires they were.......imagine being mobbed by adoring fans...i don't think i would have out run the girls to much.the other 3 would always be saying "'e's gotten caught again.why can't he run faster than girls??why doesn't he sleep?how many dates has he had this week?????
we are probally lucky i wasn't a beatle.there would be a million and two beatles bas tards world wide.lol tim the wild beatle.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: beatlegirl200 on July 16, 2004, 12:10:27 AM
LOL!  Too funny pc31!!!!!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Soft_Guitar60 on July 27, 2004, 08:47:00 PM
I couldn't find 'Fun With the Fab Four' but I saw the Pyramus and Thisbe sketch on the 'Beatles Around The World' DVD. I want to see that Midsummer's Night Dream sketch!
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Fab4 on July 27, 2004, 08:57:29 PM
The Pyramus and Thisbe thing is the Midsummer's Night Dream sketch. They are two of the characters in the play. It's one of the acts from that play.
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Sadie4 on July 28, 2004, 06:08:57 PM
 Has any of you got it in DVD or video or any other computer format so I can see it?
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 22, 2012, 05:01:38 AM
Today we can watch this in black and white...

AROUND THE BEATLES rare Apr-28-64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo8qpZ-rl0o#)



...or in color...

the Beatles perform Shakespeare, in colour (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y24geONER0k#)


28 April 1964

Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 22, 2012, 05:18:30 AM
Puck's Soliloquy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vK0GxT9z9k#ws)
Title: Re: Pyramus and Thisbe
Post by: KelMar on March 22, 2012, 05:19:51 AM
Today we can watch this in black and white...



...or in color...

28 April 1964

I've only seen it in black and white until now but it's even funnier in color.  ;)