In 2012, Lancel returned to the stage when he was cast as former Beatles manager Brian Epstein in "Epstein – The Man Who Made the Beatles" a new play by Andrew Sherlock which debuted at the "Epstein Theatre"in Liverpool on 15 November 2012. The newly refurbished theatre being named in honour of Brian Epstein. The play transferred to the West End at the Leicester Square Theatre in 2014. The play, and Lancel's performance as Epstein drew huge critical acclaim with "Whats on Stage" describing his performance as 'phenomenal' and London Theatre calling it 'mesmerising.'