CELEBRATING the queen and king of country, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, new stage show Islands in the Stream is coming to town.

Stacked with million-selling country music hits like Jolene, Ruby, 9 to 5, Lucille, Here You Come Again, The Gambler, Coward of the County, Love is Like a Butterfly and Lady, theatregoers are invited to enjoy the awesome vocals and gentle humour of Dolly and Kenny’s legendary live shows, says show producer Michael Taylor.

The touring show will come to the King’s Hall in Ilkley on Thursday, May 28.

Mr Taylor said: “Bring-the-house-down performances, a superb score and supreme musicianship tell the story of the simple Smoky Mountains farm girl’s rise to country music’s biggest superstar.”

Dolly Parton is played by Mandy Winters, Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year in the celebrated Nebraska Country Music Festival.

A self-confessed Dolly Parton fanatic, Mandy’s calling as an international performer is firmly in her genes – her father was Ronnie Winters, Columbia Records’ famed yodelling cowboy who enjoyed many chart hits in the late Fifties and early Sixties. Her mother was one of this country’s leading sopranos.

“Mandy made her professional debut as the lead singer of a country band at 14,” said Mr Taylor.

“A master of stage craft, there’s no one better placed to bring Dolly’s distinctive vocals and loveable personality to life.

“And, as well as possessing a superb singing voice, Mandy also boasts the highly unique claim to fame of being the best female yodeller in Europe.”

Mandy’s authentic live performances have seen her enjoy success on both sides of the Atlantic. As well as carrying off awards at the Nebraska Music Festival, her recording of the song Lady in the Mirror reached number four in the USA’s Original Country Songwriters Chart.

Here in the UK she has starred on television on ITV, Sky and Channel 4 and trodden the boards with the likes of Lonnie Donegan, Des O’Connor and Vince Hill.

The part of Kenny Rogers is played by John Warwick. The West End performer is a talented operatic tenor. Highlights of John’s faithfully authentic depiction of the king of country are his renditions of The Gambler, Lucille and Coward of the County.

Call 01943 602319 for tickets.