The Glenn Miller Story starring Tommy Steele - Review

August 7, 2016 by Claire Cosgrove

The Glenn Miller Story starring Tommy Steele - Our Review

As I weaved my way through the crowds at the Cliffs Pavilion, I must have been the youngest audience member there by a good 20 years.  I guess that wasn’t too surprising considering I was seeing The Glenn Miller Story and, not only that, it was starring the legend that is, Tommy Steele.

Let’s start by saying, Tommy Steele may be turning 80 at the end of the year, but this man is brilliant and still sparkling with oodles of stage charisma.  Looking completely at home on the stage, he was every inch the outstanding performer you’d expect him to be and could still belt a pitch perfect tune.

Brought to the stage is the tale of the world’s most famous big band leader, Glenn Miller.   The show leads you through his life, his rise to fame to his unexplained disappearance over the English Channel as he flew to Paris to entertain the troops during the Second World War.  

With a 16-piece orchestra, along with a full supporting company of performers and dancers, there is so much to enjoy about this show.  As you would imagine, the music was wonderful.  Chattanooga Choo Choo, In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Pennsylvania 6-5000 and many more, the singing and choreography was spot on and thoroughly enjoyable. By the second act, you could literally hear people singing along with joy and nostalgia. 

Watching Tommy Steele take on the role of Glenn Miller, I couldn’t help but wonder whether he was exactly the right man for the job.   It has been said that Tommy himself said that he felt he was too old for the role, given that Glenn Miller died at the age of 40, but was persuaded by the producer, Bill Kenwright, to play the converted lead.  He was more than up to the task but some of the love scenes were a little uncomfortable to watch and it was difficult to imagine the 20-year old man he was trying to portray.

Having said that, Abigail Jaye was wonderful as Glenn’s wife, Helen Burger. With her beautiful voice and assured performance, I felt like I was in safe hands. 

This is a lovely toe-tapping show with much to enjoy. With a standing ovation and encore, it was one very happy audience. If you love Glenn Miller and Tommy Steele, well, you really can’t go wrong with this one! On until Saturday 13^th August.

Book your tickets here https://southendtheatres.org.uk/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=55C4C8EA-05B6-4F24-9E66-E26CC61DCEA0

This review is by our in-house theatre reviewer Claire Cosgrove 

Follow Claire @clairelcosgrove