Beatles drummer Pete Best to play himself in new John Lennon play

The original Beatles drummer is set to appear on stage playing himself in a new theatre show.

Pete Best, who was a member of the band until 1962, when he was replaced by Ringo Starr, will appear in the comedy production Lennon's Banjo, in Liverpool next year.

The show, which tells of a quest to find the first instrument John Lennon learned to play, is based on the novel Julia's Banjo by Rob Fennah and Helen A Jones.

He will appear on stage for three of the performances during the show's two-week run at Liverpool's Epstein Theatre.

The play, produced by Pulse Records Ltd in association with Bill Elms, tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of a banjo which belonged to Lennon's mother, Julia.

The singer was reportedly taught how to play rock and roll on the instrument by his mother, but it has not been seen since she died in a road accident almost 60 years ago.

Best will appear in Lennon's Banjo on Wednesday April 25 and Saturday May 5 next year.