MUSIC LEGEND Tommy Steele will take to Mayflower Theatre’s stage from 8-12 September in a spectacular new imagining of the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous big band leader – in The Glenn Miller Story.
Accompanied by a live 16-piece authentic Glenn Miller orchestra, as well as full supporting company of singers, dancers and actors, the story of one of the most iconic musical figures of the 20th century will be told as never before.
The journey to creating this new show revolves around the relationship between director Bill Kenwright and star of the show Tommy.
The two friends began putting the plot together over a supper that they often share. It was when Tommy revealed his love of the James Stewart box office smash The Glenn Miller Story that Bill discovered Tommy’s adoration for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.
Bill learned that Tommy is a true devotee; travelling all over the world to hear what remains of the original Orchestral Sounds, and is steeped in the knowledge and the glory of what Glenn Miller did for popular music.
The thought of Tommy Steele and The Glenn Miller Story was a wonderful opportunity to create something special in the mind of a producer like Bill. However, as Tommy told him, there was an obvious problem! Although he’s still one of this country’s greatest “8 shows a week” song and dance men, Tommy was too old to play Glenn!
It was three years later – at a dinner party celebrating Tommy’s award as the Most Popular Entertainer of All Time at the London Palladium – that they came up with what they believed to be the answer.
The creators are not revealing the answer instead they are inviting people to "come and see for yourself".
Kenwright, who directs the show with Bob Tomson, says The Glenn Miller Story promises to transport audiences young and old back to the days of the big band, and have them up on their feet jiving.
"His music defined an era; his disappearance stunned the world…It’s been seventy years since Glenn Miller vanished over the English Channel as he flew to Paris to entertain the troops during the Second World War. Did he crash? Was he shot down? Will the mystery ever be solved?"
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