PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11 WEEK SEASON ANNOUNCED
TOMMY STEELE TO STAR IN SPECTACULAR NEW MUSICIAL
AND PRODUCER REVEALS WHY THIS IS
THE GLENN MILLER STORY
AS IT’S NEVER BEEN TOLD BEFORE
In theatres across the UK, from Friday 28 August for 11 weeks only, music legend TOMMY STEELE will take to
the stage in a spectacular new imagining of the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous big band leader
– in The Glenn Miller Story.
Featuring a spectacular 16 piece orchestra plus sensational performers and dazzling choreography, the story of
one of the most iconic musical figures of the 20th century will be told as never before.
For the past 15 or so years Bill Kenwright and his idol Tommy Steele have had supper two or three times every
year to talk about the past (mainly Tommy’s past, as Bill can never have enough of Tommy’s stories about rock
‘n roll’s golden era!) the present (Scrooge or Doctor Dolittle) and the future (“we’ve got to find a show Tommy
which I can produce for more than 10 weeks in the year like Scrooge!”)
The “let’s find another show” conversations have been long and varied. And have 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 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. 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 “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!! 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 alltime 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 awardwinning musicals including Blood Brothers, Evita, and this year’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
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.
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?
ENDS
For further information, images and interviews, please contact Marika Player at Target Live
marika.player@target-live.co.uk | 0203 372 0960 | www.target-live.co.uk
THE GLENN MILLER STORY
2015 TOUR DATES
Friday 28 August – Saturday 5 September
New Wimbledon Theatre
Box Office: 0844 871 7646
Website: www.atgtickets.com
Monday 7 – Saturday 12 September
Southampton, Mayflower Theatre
Box Office: 02380 711811
Website: www.mayflower.org.uk
Monday 21 – Saturday 26 September
Newcastle, Theatre Royal
Box Office: 08448 112121
Website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Monday 28 September – Saturday 3 October
Stoke-On-Trent, Regent Theatre
Box Office: 0844 871 7649
Website: www.atgtickets.com
Monday 5 – Saturday 10 October
Blackpool Opera House
Box Office: 0844 856 1111
Website: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
Monday 12 – Saturday 17 October
Swansea, Grand Theatre
Box Office: 01792 475715
Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/TheGlennMillerStory
Monday 19 – Saturday 24 October
Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre
Box Office: 01902 429 212
Website: www.grandtheatre.co.uk
Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November
Manchester, Palace Theatre
Box Office: 0844 871 3019
Website: www.atgtickets.com
Monday 9 – Saturday 14 November
Cardiff, New Theatre
Box Office: 029 2087 8889
Website: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
Monday 16 – Saturday 21 November
Milton Keynes Theatre
Box Office 0844 871 7652
Website: www.atgtickets.com