GLOBE columnist Peter Grant meets a Wirral actor who is playing 'another' Pete Best in a brand new musical... 

We all know about Beatlemania - now Bestmania is in the news.

The former Beatles drummer Pete Best is certainly making headlines at the moment.

The musician was dropped by the other Beatles back in 1962 just as they were about to be superstars.

But Pete got on with his life and is still touring with The Pete Best band to this day.

Now he has just played himself on stage in his acting debut in the new comedy play Lennon's Banjo at the Epstein.

Due to work commitments he can only play one more performance on Saturday, May 5.

And up the road ... a new play opens next Thursday, May 3, at the Unity Theatre all about the man himself and runs until May 5.

Pete Best really is back in town.

Playing Pete in Bestbeat is 24-year-old Andrew Games.

Andrew, who was born in Arrowe Park Hospital, grew up in Eastham and Moreton and went to Pensby High School.

Penbsy is now home for the talented actor and independent film-maker.

Andrew says he hasn’t been able to make contact with the real Pete: "He is a very busy man. I have done plenty of research into his life and he is aware of our play.

"We all want to get it right to show what a well-respected person he is."

The play, written and directed by Francis Duffy, is self-financed and there are plans to take it to Hamburg where Pete enjoyed early success as a drummer.

Andrew continued: "I don't play drums in the play but I do sing along with my fellow cast members.

"Original songs have been written and will be performed by an on-stage band called The Black Ties.’’

Andrew, who is an award-winning film-maker, produced The World War 2 themed The Diary of an Aryan Girl.

He will soon be seen in the short film Being Keegan starring Stephen Graham as a Post Traumatic Stress Sufferer.

Andrew plays his half-brother in this critically-acclaimed short which won a Scottish Mental Health Award.

For now Andrew is looking forward to the opening night of Bestbeat.

"It has given me the highest profile as an actor.

"I am cautious but excited. We all have high expectations."

And it could have all have been so different for Andrew.

He started out wanting to be a wrestler till an injury to his vertebrae ended that..

"I decided it was not for me and I became a different kind of showman.

"But I will always have the greatest respect for wrestlers."

Bestbeat is at the Unity Theatre from next Thursday to Saturday, May 3-5. Tickets are from the box office on 0151 709 4988