Pete's now concentrating on producing and directing – and you can see the results when

The Chicago Blues Brothers hits Horsham on a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of the massively-successful Blues Brothers phenomenon.

"I had been doing both jobs, writing the scripts and performing and producing and directing", explains Pete. "I wanted to just concentrate on the directing because I felt the stage side of it maybe wasn't getting the due attention it needed.

"We have now really raised the production values – basically the costuming, the staging, the lights, the whole thing. It has given me the freedom and the time to concentrate on getting the whole show as good as it should be. Before we were going out as just a gig, just as a concert. Now it's a 100 per cent variety show, the complete family show."

In this latest version, Jake is out of prison, and with his brother Elwood he embarks on a new mission from God , via the Penguin. They need to make it to Chicago to raise cash to save the orphanage........again.

There is only one way they know. They've got to put the band back together. And that means music – a huge part of the show's enduring success, Pete says.

"You are talking about songs like Midnight Hour and Knock On Wood. With all due respect to the Blues Brothers themselves (originally Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi), the show is really a tribute to an era, and the music is timeless. You have got all that wonderful music playing!

"If you go to a party and someone puts on the current cheesy music, then it only goes to a certain level. If you put on this kind of music, then you are there. It becomes a different thing altogether."

And the show is very much in that party night vein: "People don't need much encouragement to come along dressed up. It's just great."

Pete admits, though, that he's desperately missing performing: "But unfortunately the business side has got to be done."

Watch closely, though… It's in his blood. You might just spot him creeping on to do a few backing vocals.

The show is Capitol Theatre, Horsham on Friday October 3. Tickets on 01403 750220.