Leamington musician on '˜being' Ringo in smash hit Beatles show

Not so long ago, he was a schoolboy at Myton, but now this Leamington-raised vicar's son has performed for over a million people as one of the world's most famous musicians.
Luke Roberts as Ringo Starr in Let It Be. Picture by David Munn Photography.Luke Roberts as Ringo Starr in Let It Be. Picture by David Munn Photography.
Luke Roberts as Ringo Starr in Let It Be. Picture by David Munn Photography.

Luke Roberts, who was head boy at Myton School in 2004, has enjoyed fame in the West End, on Broadway and further afield for the past three years in his role as Ringo Starr in the smash hit Beatles celebration show, Let It Be.

Many people in the Leamington area may know his father, former Bishops Tachbrook vicar, Mervyn Roberts. And Luke himself was well-known in the area’s music circuit as he used to play gigs at venues such as Robbins Well and Moo.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “I did everything I could do to make it in the world of music.”

Even though he has enjoyed three years of unbelievable success with Let It Be, Luke is still a little gobsmacked. He said: “Broadway was mind-blowing. To go from a kid at Myton School to suddenly being in a Broadway show felt amazing.

“Before doing Let It Be, I had loosely done some acting, but being Ringo is on a totally different level. I watched lots and lots of videos. Let It Be is based on the detail, so I have to get it spot-on in terms of Ringo’s mannerisms.”

Interestingly, the show follows the Beatles’ entire career - even though the band themselves only performed during their first few years. Luke said: “We had to research their characters to see where they were as people during those non-performing years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Most people tend to think of the early Beatles, but when you come to watch the show, it becomes very obvious that they have a wealth of music and what they did changed the world. “

Isn’t he tired of playing the same character all the time? Luke is a musician in his own right and has worked with Sophie Ellis-Bexter and written music for high-profile advertising campaigns, including for Mandarin Oriental, Sainsbury’s and Christian Louboutin.

He said: “I thought I would be after three years, but you learn so much. It’s like playing a really fun gig.”

Let It Be is showing at Birmingham Hippodrome from April 25 to 30. www.birminghamhippodrome.com