THE GLEN MILLER STORY

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Bill Kenwright Productions)

A new musical of the story of big band music legend, Glen Miller, arrives at Malvern Theatres this week, as part of its nationwide tour. It is a perfectly simple telling of this swing icons rise to stardom and untimely disappearance during the Second World War.

Bill Kenwright produced and directed this excellent production and was also responsible for the very odd casting of 79 year old Tommy Steele in the eponymous role of a man who never made it past 40. There is no denying that Steele is a wonderful showman but it just doesn’t make any sense. Steele begins as narrator of the story, which is ideal and then starts playing Miller as a man in his late twenties, which is confusing at best and disturbing at worst. Miller’s romantic involvement with the love of his life, Helen, is a major part of the show and the scenes with the much younger performer were uncomfortable to watch and more reminiscent of Hugh Hefner than Glen Miller. Kenwright knows how to make money, without question, and it was clear that over half of the audience was made up of Tommy Steele fans, enthusing over his performance, and that equates to ticket sales. Without him, the show may well have closed by now but surely the script could have been adapted to use him in a more appropriate way. As it is, it is unclear whether this is the Glen Miller Story or the Tommy Steele Show.

Having said that, the show itself is top notch and deserving of much praise. The 16 piece orchestra, led by MD Richard Morris, is phenomenal, producing the most delicious sounds of a bygone age. Helen Tsingos visually recreates the era brilliantly with her costumes that add vibrancy to a very simple set design. Olivier Award winning, Bill Deamer, provides delightful choreography, expertly executed by six dancers, who provide superb, close part harmony throughout too. Ashley Knight plays Miller’s pal Chummy MacGregor with style and flair and Abigail Jaye is stunning as Miller’s muse and wife, Helen. The whole cast are amazing and handle the peculiar lead casting extremely well.

Fans of Tommy Steele will absolutely love this. Fans of swing and big band will adore this. Fans of musical theatre will most likely be too confused to know how they feel about it.

3 stars