Video: 'The Beatles Press Conference At The Prince of Wales Theatre, London - 31 May 1964'

(Sunday, May 31, 1964) — Prior to tonight’s concert at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London, The Beatles held a press conference today and clowned around behind the theater bar for the benefit of cameras.

In a newsreel clip, Paul McCartney drapes a towel over his arm, John Lennon pretends to swig from a bottle of booze, and George Harrison stuffs a rag in Ringo Starr’s face.

The Beatles’ sole concert between their vacation and World Tour was the fifth of seven concerts marketed as “Pops Alive!,” promoted by Brian Epstein and held on consecutive Sunday nights at the venue.

There were two shows at the theatre on this occasion. The Beatles topped the bill, which also featured Kenny Lynch, Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, the Vernons Girls, the Lorne Gibson Trio, the Chants and the Harlems.

The Beatles performed seven songs during both shows (the second one was scheduled for 8:30 p.m. BST): “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “All My Loving,” “This Boy,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Till There Was You,” “Twist And Shout” and “Long Tall Sally.”

Prior to the concerts, Starr took delivery of a brand new Ludwig drum kit worth £350, from London’s Drum City shop.