Four rock ‘n’ roll musicians, whose careers were starting to take off in different directions, jammed together in an impromptu recording session for the first and last time on a famous cold December night.

Elvis Presley, who is dubbed the King of Rock and Roll, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis were all the product of Sun Record Company in downtown Memphis, America.

The record label, which initially founded the talents in all of these big names, was started up by radio DJ and entrepreneur Sam Phillips - whose passion and love shone through during that night on Tuesday, December 4, 1956.

Jerry Lee was relatively new on the scene at the time, but Elvis was already starting to make it big in the showbiz world.

It was also the poignant time that Johnny Cash told his mentor and friend, Sam, that he was going to off to Columbia Records after signing a new deal.

The note-perfect songs, the clash of personalities and the passion for creating big chart-topping hits is captured by the Million Dollar Quartet, a show that is taking to the stage at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury this week.

Sam Phillips is played by Jason Donovan, who narrates the show and also delves deep to show the audience just how much this record producer loved his music and the talent he had shaped.

The two hour performance focuses solely on the main recording room of the Sun Record Company, with no change of scenery.

But this symbolises what went on in the studio that night was unique - and it was something that was never repeated again.

Despite the initial thought of Elvis stealing the show, each actor resembled their characters in a way that ensured they all had equal limelight.

Ross William Wild, who plays Elvis, does the lip raise and hip movements as though the star was performing it himself, while Ashley Carruthers, who plays Jerry Lee, adds humour to his character’s personality.

A pivotal point in the show is near the end, when it seems Sam has accepted his boys are heading off to further their careers.

He takes out an old fashioned camera and clicks it - sending the auditorium into darkness.

When the light returns a classic and famous black and white picture of the quartet appears, with the characters imitating their exact positions behind the camera.

The show, which was loud, fast paced, but very well choreographed, had people of all ages singing and clapping along to the hits which continue to be significant today.

They included Blue Suede Shoes, Fever, That's All Right, Sixteen Tons and Great Balls Of Fire.

The Million Dollar Quartet is being shown at the Marlowe until Saturday, March 4, when Elvis will have 'left the building.'

Tickets are priced from £20.50, call 01227 787787 or visit marlowetheatre.com