Tommy Steele arrives at the Mayflower Theatre next week as the star of The Glenn Miller Story

The show will take over the stage of the Southampton venue from September 8-12 in a spectacular new imagining of the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous big band leader.

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?

Accompanied by a live 16-piece authentic Glenn Miller orchestra, as well as full supporting company of singers, dancers and actors, 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 a year to talk about the past, the present and the future. The “let’s find another show” conversations have been long and varied.

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.

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 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? You’ll have to come and see for yourself.

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 single 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.

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, a role that also made Steele the London Palladium’s all-time record breaking performer, having headlined more performances than any other star in the theatre’s history.

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.

Box office: 02380 711811, mayflower.org.uk