ELVIS impersonators - who needs `em? Actually, a horde of appreciative West End punters do, if the press release on Elvis - The Musical is anything to go by. The "official" Elvis musical (does that mean it's Government approved?) opens in Dublin on Monday, March 3rd, direct from its "sensational run" in London's West End (the actual venue isn't named in the publicity material), and this "non-stop extravaganza" runs for two weeks only, so the advice for Elvis-heads everywhere is put on your blue suede shoes and get down and catch this song-and-dance spectacular toot sweet.
It won't have escaped Elvis fans' notice that this year is the 20th anniversary of The King's death, and Elvis - The Musical is probably just one of many commemorative events which will keep the Presley spirit alive for many diehard worshippers. The show was first staged back in 1977, barely a couple of months after the King went cold, and it went on to win an Evening Standard award for Best Musical for its writers, Jack Good and Ray Cooney.
Twenty years down the road, and the dead horse that is the Elvis legend is still being flogged.
Elvis - The Musical uses three different actors to play Presley in three different stages of his life: the young, finely-chiselled rocker with the gyrating pelvis who made the young girls swoon and the old fogies turn blue with apoplexy, the conquering hero heartthrob who came home from G.I. camp only to start shooting rubbish movies set on beaches, at rodeos and racetracks, and finally the rhinestone-encrusted crooner. Nothing here about a fourth, less entertaining King, the one who popped pills, ate giant hero sandwiches and died on the porcelain throne.
The three actors who play Presley aren't named on the press release, which strikes me as an admirable display of modesty on their parts, showing a healthy disregard for the kind of personal glory which probably hastened the real Elvis's downfall. I doubt, however, if they are the same trio who recently re-enacted the life of Elvis for the delight and delectation of Channel 4 viewers. I'm referring, of course, to Father Ted, Father Dougal and Father Jack, who won first prize in the all-priests show with their three-handed tribute to the King. Who could forget the grizzled visage of Jack Hackett as he lovingly portrayed the latter-day Presley in all his bloated dotage? Now that was sensational.
But back to Elvis - The Musical The 1997 production is directed by Keith Strachan and Carole Todd, with Strachan arranging the music and Todd taking care of the choreography; the set and costumes are designed by Andy Walmsley, and the lighting is designed by Joe Atkins. The original West End cast (not the original 1977 cast, naturally) will dance and jump around to Presley's greatest hits, including Love Me Tender; All Shook Up, Heartbreak Hotel Return To Sender and Blue Suede Shoes (what, no Moody Blue?), and the key events of Presley's life will be recreated using film and slides, just in case there's still something you don't know about the biggest rock `n' roll star in the universe.
Reviewing the West End production, What's On magazine noted that "the feelgood factor is off the scale", The Big Issue named it "the best show in town" and the Guardian simply called it "breathtaking". The Times put it most eruditely, however, with the cleverly punning "a show fit for a King". So whaddaya need, a royal decree? Get booking now, and witness the resurrection of Elvis right here in Dublin's fair city. As Mel Brooks might have said: "it's good to see the King."
