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Sharing the magic of John Lennon

After more than 20 years, actor and musician John Waters still loves taking people “a little bit closer” to the legendary John Lennon.

Stewart D'Arrietta and John Waters. Picture: Liming Guan
Stewart D'Arrietta and John Waters. Picture: Liming Guan

After more than 20 years, actor and musician John Waters still loves taking people “a little bit closer” to the legendary John Lennon.

Lennon: Through A Glass Onion was created by Waters and fellow musician Stewart D’Arrietta and first performed in Sydney in 1992, 12 years after Lennon’s death.

It went on to become a smash hit and following a 16-week season in New York the pair will bring the show back to Australia — including a show in Springwood later this month.

The part concert, part biographical production features 31 hits from Lennon’s solo works and collaborations with Paul McCartney.

Waters brings an intimate performance to <i>Lennon: Through a Glass Onion.</i>
Waters brings an intimate performance to Lennon: Through a Glass Onion.

“It’s the imagined thoughts of John Lennon set to the backdrop of his songs,” Waters said.

More than 20 years since its inception, Waters remains as passionate as ever about the show.

“Even I thought, ‘Surely I’ll be tired of doing this’, but I just never am,” he said.

“I look forward to each new tour.

“It’s because I get so much of a communication with the audience when I’m standing up there.

“It’s just me, Stewart, a dark stage and that’s all there is — we’ve distilled the communication of the show down to its bare minimum.”

The show has maintained its popularity with not only those audiences who grew up with the Beatles, but the next generations as well.

D'Arrietta and Waters on stage.
D'Arrietta and Waters on stage.

“ … It is a desire from the younger generation to learn what it was like back then,” Waters said.

Waters grew up in the UK during the Beatles mania and said it was a “phenomenon to live through”.

“It was a turning point for the way we live,” he said.

“I think teenagers having money for the first time and being an affluent demographic … teenagers had an identity of their own, and that has continued on to this day and I think will live on forever.”

Lennon: Through A Glass Onion comes to the Blue Mountains Theatre in Springwood on September, 28.

Tickets

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/penrith-press/sharing-the-magic-of-john-lennon/news-story/ea7fcbbec0598a56f5b5638730260b42