Den Stevenson is an English Author and Playwright
who has been annually published by Penguin Books, Collins and Macmillan.

Den is passionately proud of his Romany heritage. He was raised in ‘ye olde world’ public houses with their characteristic ancient beams, antique furniture with plates and horse brasses hanging on the walls. Growing up in the Garden of England, barely thirty miles south-east of the hustle and bustle of London, he was surrounded by woods, leafy lanes, hop fields and orchards that pepper the beautiful Kent countryside and the adjoining undulating Sussex downs.

Private school education in Royal Tunbridge Wells amid his isolated country idyll was a far cry from his first experience of the workplace! Den’s first job after leaving school was as an Engineering Apprentice; but it was nothing more than an industrial environment alongside a work force of 30,000 at Vauxhall Motors in Luton. An alien environment, a huge cultural shock only made bearable by playing soccer for Luton Town FC and trialling at cricket for Middlesex at Lords, interspersed by playing in the first ever UK Bluebeat band to supplement his meagre industrial wage!

Those days are long gone and today Den is at the theatrical forefront championing the need for ‘creative’ theatrical writing, as opposed to the encouraged adaptation of previous successful films and books. He states firmly: “How can anyone call themselves a playwright if they do that? Not least, the unique spark of original creativity has been taken out of the writing equation which, as a wordsmith, is the very essence that excites, drives and inspires me!’

Roald and Den chat about upcoming projects

Writing alongside the genius Roald Dahl at publishing giants Penguin Books, Den was happy with his lot until fate intervened, and he was introduced to Glenn Miller’s youngest brother Herb. And, what followed, changed his life when he became the ‘Booker’ to the Herb Miller UK Orchestra.

	Glenn's youngest brother, Herb Miller

Herb soon educated Den to the true story behind his famous brothers’ search for a unique sound; a story that was a million miles removed from Hollywood’s version of ‘The Glenn Miller Story’, featuring James Stewart as Herb’s iconic US Bandleader brother. Herb was very critical of the film, pointing out the many inaccuracies and shared with Den his family history and countless memories never shared with others. It’s true to say that Herb Miller played a crucial role in transforming Den’s path in life.

The playwright in Den set about putting the record straight and soon, his theatrical debut ‘Remember Glenn Miller’ was ready for production. However, it was to be another ten years before curtain would go up on this, the very first and only Glenn Miller Musical ever staged in the world.

Permission to use Glenn Miller’s Music in a theatrical stage production had never been granted before. After sending the 50/50 Words to Music ‘Book’ to the Glenn Miller Estate for approval, they granted permission.

Den Stevenson’s Glenn Miller stage production premièred in the UK in a major 1,500 seat theatre where it sold out over the week breaking box-office records! Since then, the show has been re-written and re-titled ‘Bugle Boy’ The Glenn Miller Story.

The original promo 'The Glenn Miller Story'

With his success in the UK, Den premiered ‘Bugle Boy’ in Virginia in the USA before making a staged reading just-off Broadway at the Merkin Concert Hall that same year, when it was Directed and Choreographed by Duke Ellington’s granddaughter, the delightful and highly talented Mercedes Ellington.

Returning to the UK and with the World Economy in melt down, Den looked to interest an amateur company to premier the newly polished 50/50 Words to Music ‘Bugle Boy’, with a view to the Musical being picked up by a professional production company.

Eventually, the revised ‘Book’ was entrusted to The Gladstone Theatre Trust at Port Sunlight on the Wirral and their Company certainly achieved the objective.

	The original promo poster for 'Bugle Boy'

Such was the success of the Wirral performance that Producer Bruce James, sitting in the audience of another full house, decided to pick the show up and put it out under his professional theatrical production banner.

The first ever ‘Bugle Boy’ UK Tour premiered in the Marina Theatre Lowestoft, followed by the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne and the Pavilion in Rhyl before ‘Bugle Boy’ played the famous West End Garrick Theatre to a full House, standing ovations and rave reviews.

That resounding success ensured a full Provincial UK Tour playing to mainly 1,000 plus, seat theatres, where ‘Bugle Boy’ continued to wow audiences and critics alike! The Musical was drawing nightly standing ovations and cries of ‘more, more’ from the packed audiences that had the National Press and Critics waxing lyrical, and the Musical hailed as a ‘Triumphant Success’.

Den Stevenson’s aim has always been to make good on his pledge to Herb Miller. To write a truthful account about the life of his famous band leader brother and premiere the show in America, in recognition of his unique contribution to Music. And only then would his catalogue of works be truly worthy to follow-on in the footsteps of ‘Bugle Boy, The Glenn Miller Story’.

Den Stevenson’s story does not end there though…

Den decided a Musical about the life of William Shakespeare would follow that of Glenn Miller, which premiered in the UK as ‘Quill’ The Hand of Shakespeare attracting a week of Full Houses and critical acclaim. A transfer to America as a ‘Play with Music’ suitably re-titled ‘1616’ and a Soliloquy, ‘The Ghost of William Shakespeare which took its inaugural bow at the Annual Stratford-Upon-Avon Festival with the local theatre company ‘Tread the Boards’ performed by an actor in Stratford’s historical beamed Tudor World ‘Falstaff Experience’ and the third consecutive Festival appearance was surreally in Shakespeare’s Henley Street home, owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Always ahead of the game, in America, Den Stevenson will present the piece delivered by a Virtual Reality Avatar who in his true Cobb Portrait likeness, will strut the stage telling the story of his life delivered in his local Warwickshire burr accent and true Original Pronunciation.

History live in the 21^st Century

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