Tommy Steele to Bring THE GLEN MILLER STORY to Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

MUSIC legend Tommy Steele comes to Canterbury in the new year when he stars in The Glen Miller Story.

It's been 70 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? Featuring a 16-piece orchestra, this is the extraordinary story of one of the most iconic musical figures of the 20th century.

Over the past 15 years, Bill Kenwright and Tommy Steele have regularly got together to talk about the past, present and future. One evening, 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 music from 1939 to 1943 when he was the most popular recording artist in the world.

Three years later at a dinner party celebrating Tommy's award as the Most Popular Entertainer of All Time, that they came up with The Glenn Miller Story!

Tommy Steele was Britain's first rock 'n' roll star. Dubbed the UK's answer to Elvis Presley, he landed his first UK number one 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 made 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 number one.

His legendary career includes more than 20 hit singles, 12 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 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 Jesus Christ Superstar. Choreography is by Olivier Award-winner Bill Deamer (Top Hat, Evita, Save The Last Dance For Me).

The Glen Miller Story is at The Marlowe Theatre from Tuesday 12 to Sunday 17 January (evenings at 7.30pm, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.30pm). There is limited availability for tickets, which are priced from £22 to £46.50 (concessions available; booking fee applies). To book, call the Box Office on 01227 787787, or go to marlowetheatre.com.

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