A quarter of a century after the release of the film The Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood, stars of The Best Blues Brothers Show in the World - Ever, will be performing at the Gala Theatre in Durham.

With sunglasses and pork pie hats at the ready, the singers visited Durham Police's Aykley Heads headquarters in their 1976 Ohio State Trooper police car to promote the show,which is playing from next Thursday to Saturday.

Their production celebrates the soul, blues and rock 'n' roll music of the smash hit film, which won the accolade of best soundtrack of all time in a recent BBC poll.

The film, which starred John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, captured the imagination of William Smith-Eccles, from Derbyshire, who changed his name by deed poll to Jake Blues and put together the production.

The show will feature favourite songs from the film, such as Everybody Needs Somebody, Soul Man and Sweet Home Chicago.

It will also feature a £20,000 stage set, as well as the Black Rhino Band, who have been voted Europe's hottest Soul band.

Jake said: "It's fantastic to be up on stage and see everyone dancing along to the music - especially when we have people turn up in their Blues Brothers costumes.

"It's a real party atmosphere. In fact, at one recent show,we had a guy there who was dressed as a nun.''

The Gala shows start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £14.50, with concessions at £12.50, from the box office on 0191-332 4041.

Published: 27/01/2005