The Glenn Miller Story at the Edinburgh Playhouse Review
The Glenn Miller Story
Edinburgh Playhouse
26-30 January 2016
Reviewed by Emily Crombie
Tommy Steele certainly knows how to work an audience as he stars in The Glenn Miller Story which opened at the Edinburgh Playhouse last night and runs until Saturday 30th January before touring the UK.
The Glenn Miller Story tracks the rise to fame of Glenn Miller as he made musical history before disappearing on a military flight in bad weather over the English Channel in 1944 while entertaining troops during World War II. Born in Iowa in 1904, Alton Glenn Miller saved his money from milking cows to buy his first trombone at age 13. He married Helen Burger before moving to New York. Glenn works his way through many bands in New York while training under the Russian composer Joseph Schillinger until he find ‘the sound’ and hits the big time in 1939 with many swing hits such as Chatanooga Choo Choo, At Last, Tuxedo Junction and my favourite Little Brown Jug! His unique and distinctive swing sound was created by the clarinet leading the saxophones.
Tommy Steele who celebrates his 80th birthday this year was perhaps an unusual choice to play the part of Miller who died at age 40 but few performers have the wealth of experience and all round talent to sing, dance, act and play. Chummy MacGregor, Miller’s friend and pianist is played by Ashley Knight while Sarah Soetaert takes the role of Miller’s wife Helen Burger. The 16 piece on-stage orchestra and the dancing troop set the scene and sound of the era.
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a beautiful A listed former cinema situated at the east end of Princes Street on Greenside Place. There are many transport options to get there, train bus car and tram.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £14.90 to £48.90 (plus £4 transaction fee).
The Glenn Miller Story is at the Edinburgh Playhouse until 30 January 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3014.
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18–22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA | 0844 871 3014
