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Fri 20 Apr 2007 "A-WOP-bop-a-loo-lop-a-wop-bam-boom!" The legendary Little Richard's storming introduction to Tutti Frutti may not be the most profound rock 'n' roll lyrics ever written, but they are certainly among the most memorable. His 1955 hit also provided the title for a six-part comedy-drama about a fictional Scottish rock band, The Majestics, which made stars out of Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson and Richard Wilson. It is exactly 20 years this month since the hugely popular BBC series disappeared from our television screens, and for reasons which remain unclear, it has never been repeated or even released on video. But never fear. Following a sell-out run last year, John Bryne's stage adaptation of his BAFTA award-winning programme is returning to the King's Theatre next week. "I was obviously far too young when the television show was on," laughs Dawn Steele, who returns to play Suzy Kettles, the role originally played to great acclaim by Thompson. "I don't remember that much about it - apart from Robbie Coltrane's tartan suit." For this reason the 31-year-old, who first rose to fame in 2000 playing Lexie MacDonald in Monarch of Glen, insists her interpretation of Suzy owes nothing to her Oscar-winning predecessor. "I'm playing Suzy my own way," she says. "You don't want to copy somebody exactly - although Emma Thompson was brilliant in the part." Although Suzy picks up a guitar, gets behind the mic and joins The Majestics on tour, Steele admits the nerves don't even compare to her memorable 2005 appearance on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy. "It was utterly terrifying," she recalls. "But it was great to be part of Comic Relief and we raised so much money. Weirdly, I don't find being on stage in Tutti Frutti terrifying because I'm not being myself. I found it really exposing singing on my own but here I've got a wig, a guitar and a big band." It's certainly far removed from filming in the idyllic Highland surroundings of Monarch of the Glen, her big break. "I loved it," she says. "It was a massive part of my life and a brilliant experience, having just come out of drama school. It was great - apart from the midges." Steele will return to our screens later this year in six-part BBC1 drama True Dare Kiss. "It's a testament to the play that nearly every member of the cast has returned for this run," she adds. About to begin their silver jubilee tour around Scotland, one-hit wonders The Majestics are shaken to the core when their lead singer, Big Jazza McGlone, is killed in a car crash. It looks like the tour will be cancelled but manager, Eddie Clockerty (John Ramage) decides to throw Jazza's younger brother Danny (Tom Urie) into the mix. But will the fans, and his bandmates, accept him? Chock full of Fifties hits, Tutti Frutti had them rockin' in the aisles on its first visit to the Capital. • Tutti Frutti, King's Theatre, Leven Street, Tuesday-Saturday, 7.30pm (Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm), £11.50-£21 (£7-£18), 0131-529 6000 This article from here
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