The Glenn Miller Story

It’s truly hard to believe that we are two weeks away from the 60th Anniversary of the stage debut of TOMMY STEELE, an overnight pop star, he was quick to move over into musical theatre and movies before fickle chart tastes changed, an adaptation that promoted his fame worldwide, a position he has maintained throughout the decades.

His latest role has him paying tribute to a legend of his childhood in ‘THE GLENN MILLER STORY’, an unlikely part for Bermondsey boy recreating an American hero, how does he do it? Simply by being himself, and it works perfectly.

Fast moving, keeping it simple, making sure the music is central to everything, the production covers the key points, the ideas, the struggle, falling in love, trying his luck in New York, the lucky break, and World War 2, supported by a talented cast featuring Abigail Jaye as his wife, Helen, seven well choreographed singers and dancers, plus a full orchestra delivering the sound that excited a generation perfectly.

All the hits are here ‘In The Mood’, ‘Moonlight Serenade’, ‘String Of Pearls’, ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ and ‘Pennsylvania 6-5000’ all still regular radio favourites even after the birth of rock’n’roll, and Tommy is onstage throughout the whole two hour performance, relishing in doing what he does best, entertaining as a song and dance man, whilst encouraging and applauding his fellow cast members at every opportunity.

The wartime concerts bring the show to a close with a medley of ‘Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree/ I’ve Got A Girl In Kalamazoo / Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ prior to Glenn exiting the airport hangar. A stomping encore of ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ had the whole audience in equal voice with the cast showing just how much the music had been enjoyed both sides of the footlights.

Whilst this is far from a ‘one man show’ Tommy Steele remains the most complete musical entertainer this country has seen, and less than a couple of months away from this 80th birthday he is living proof that to enjoy a long, healthy life, music has to be a major factor. Don’t miss it.

Jim Stewart
2016

• Type: user
• Performance Date: 20/10/2016
• Star rating: 12345