by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

SINCE ‘Twopence to Cross the Mersey’ wowed audiences at the Liverpool Empire last year, its creators have been working on a film script based around the Beatles.

Award-winning writers Rob and Alan Fennah will also perform their first live gig since 2005 at the Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead, on January 29.

Known as Alternative Music, the duo they formed in 1982, they will be performing songs from their smash-hit musical with other melodies from their extensive back catalogue.

Alan said: “We love playing to an audience that really listens. Pacific Road will be that sort of gig.

“What we hate is singing in places where we are the background music – that is soul-destroying and the reason we went into theatre.”

The film Julia’s Banjo is the innovative screen play getting the brothers and their agent excited.

It is based on the first instrument John Lennon was given by his mother Julia.

It was the first instrument he learned to play but it was lost and remains unfound.

Rob said: “The story is half fact, half fiction.

“Lennon’s banjo is the holy grail of pop memorabilia and it is a total mystery as to where it has gone.”

The film explores this with surprising twists and turns.

Rob said: “The idea came to me when I visited a Beatles convention last year.”

Co-written by Helen Jones, from Crosby, the film script is still being sent to various film companies.

Rob said: “We are now waiting to see what comes of it.”

Best known for their compilations of evocative music in adverts, live sets or theatre, Rob and Alan may soon be known for their great films as well.

Most captivating about the brothers is their sound and the theme tune they created for their new film is no exception.

It uses sounds of American South blue grass mixed with a Liverpool jingly-jangle style.

If you can’t wait for Julia’s Banjo to hit screens and feel the urge to hear Rob and Alan’s unique sound beforehand, call Pacific Road Arts Centre on 647 0752 and book a ticket for the upcoming gig.