Elusive Dreams celebrates the greatest of stormiest country music partnership of all time, heavy-drinking husband and wife George Jones and Tammy Wynette, at the Grand Opera House, York, on Thursday.

The tribute show stars West End performer Tim Hensler and country artist Vanessa Barrett, who first appeared together in Mervyn Conn's production of the Tammy Wynette story, Stand By Your Man.

Hensler's vocal resemblance to George Jones had earned him a part alongside West End star Helen Hobson. Soon after the show opened, however, Ms Hobson was struck by illness, forcing her to quit after only a few weeks. In stepped her understudy, the Canadian-born Vanessa Barrett, and although there was little time to rehearse, Barrett's thorough research ensured that she played country's heartbreak queen for the duration of the six-month tour.

When Stand By Your Man came to an end, Barrett began toying with the idea of producing a George Jones and Tammy Wynette concert in a show that would take away the script and set and simply recreate the chemistry of the musical partnership.

Hensler and Barrett set up the production company Hero Entertainment and have been working together on this project for the past two years.

"We're keen not to be perceived as another Stars In Their Eyes tribute and instead hope that audiences will enjoy the musical legacy of one of country music's great partnerships," they say.

The show features more than 40 songs, among them He Stopped Loving Her Today, The Race Is On, Stand By Your Man, D.I.V.O.R.C.E, Golden Ring and Near You, performed with a country band.

Look out for Barrett's sparkling, figure-hugging Tammy costumes too. "We don't simply want to play out the roles of George and Tammy again, we want to sing their songs," she says.

Elusive Dreams, A Tribute To George Jones And Tammy Wynette, Grand Opera House, York, April 15, 7.30pm. Tickets: £12.50 on 0870 606 3595.

RIGHT: Tim Hensler who plays George Jones

Updated: 09:00 Friday, April 09, 2004