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TOMMY STEELE BRINGS GLENN MILLER STORY TO LIFE AT THEATRE ROYAL
The
Glenn Miller Story
Newcastle
Theatre Royal
Monday
21st – Saturday
26th September 2015
His music
defined an era; his disappearance stunned the world…
A
spectacular new show telling the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous
big band leader is heading to Newcastle Theatre Royal this September. The
Glenn Miller Story, starring none other than music legend Tommy Steele,
will be swinging into town for a must-not-miss run from Monday 21st – Saturday 26th September 2015.
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 show is the brainchild of world famous
producer Bill Kenwright and rock and roll legend Tommy Steele (who are
professional colleagues and great friends), and the plan was hatched over one
of their regular supper meetings together.
 |
| Tommy Steele |
The “let’s find another show”
conversations were long and varied and possibly included adaptations of every
screen musical ever written. It was when discussing a particular favourite of
theirs; the James Stewart box office smash The Glenn Miller Story,
that Bill discovered that his all-encompassing love for Elvis was equal only to
Tommy’s adoration for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. Bill learned that Tommy
was a true devotee; travelling all over the world to hear what remains of the
original Orchestral Sounds, and was steeped in the knowledge and the glory of
what Glenn Miller did for popular music. Tommy enthused that Glenn changed the
face of it from 1939 – 1943 when he was the most popular recording artist in
the world. Some might say similar to what Elvis did from the mid 50’s when he
too was the most popular recording artist in the world.
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 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!! What was it?? Come and see for yourself when The Glenn Miller
Story is at a theatre near you. But here’s a clue – Tommy Steele will not
be the Narrator.
Tommy Steele was Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll star. Dubbed the UK’s answer
to Elvis Presley, he landed his
first UK No.1 with Singing the Blues in January 1957, reaching the top
spot before Elvis, who didn’t land his until the June that year. The big screen
soon beckoned for Tommy, and that same year he filmed The Tommy Steele Story, one of Britain’s great rock ‘n’ roll movies. A
soundtrack was released to coincide with the film’s opening and became the first
album to reach No.1.
His legendary career includes over twenty hit singles,
twelve hit movies and countless award winning stage musicals such as Half a
Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain. In recent
years, Steele has starred as Christmas miser Scrooge in Bill Kenwright’s spectacular production of the festive musical, which
enjoyed two successful runs at the world-famous London Palladium. It was a role
that also made Steele the theatre’s all-time record breaking performer, having headlined
more performances than any other star in the history of the Palladium.
Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright team up again to direct the show, having been
at the helm of several award-winning musicals including Blood Brothers, Evita,
and this year’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar (at NewcastleTheatre Royal 14 –19 September). Choreography is by Olivier Award winner Bill
Deamer (Top Hat, Evita, Save The Last Dance For Me).
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.
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?
Tickets:
The Glenn Miller Story
plays Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday
21st – Saturday 26th September 2015, evenings at 7.30pm, matinees Thursday 2pm and
Saturday 2.30pm. Tickets from £13.00 (save 50p per ticket online).
Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls
cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online
at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
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