April 12, 2001 18:47: Go anywhere in the world and you are virtually guaranteed to hear a Beatles song playing somewhere.

The lyrics, harmonies and the fab four themselves are universally loved because, let's face it, John, Paul, George and Ringo were blessed with more than their fair share of talent.

So when a new show comes along celebrating the musical genius of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, you would be right to think it could be an enjoyable night's entertainment.

But I have one thing to say to whoever created All You Need Is Love: what on earth were you thinking of?

Surely someone should have noticed that taking about 50 of the best songs ever written and rearranging them into showy song-and-dance routines is an exceptionally bad idea at the planning stage?

Well, clearly this was not the case and a new musical was born.

The big opening number was singularly unimpressive as the cast came on looking like 50s' rejects, murdering classics like The Long And Winding Road, In My Life and Come Together and bouncing around the set in little gangs just like the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, from Grease.

The combination of mediocre choreography to act out the lyrics and an uninspiring set (which inexplicably moved about on squeaky wheels during some numbers) was simply cringeworthy and gave the impression of trying too hard.

I must say, however, the cast of 12 were giving the performance their best shot, but as the whole concept is extremely limited they had little opportunity (or need) to display their full talent.

There were some exceptionally good singers, like Linda John-Pierre, Neal Wright and Jon Boydon, and when the cast was in full voice, singing Fool On The Hill in beautiful acapella and a moving gospel version of Let It Be, you could almost forgive them the rest.

Perhaps it is inevitable the show is about as entertaining as watching an apple rot as it is virtually impossible to do Beatles' songs better than the Beatles.

But in the present culture of tribute-band mania and banal disposable pop, this show will probably go down a treat when it hits the West End at the end of May.

I have a feeling, however, John Lennon is turning in his grave.

q All You Need Is Love is at the Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, until Saturday, April 21. Performances start at 7.45pm and 2.30pm. Tickets priced from £14 to £23.50 are available on 020 8460 6677.

Tracey Wye