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This is Elvis
3rd April 2018 - 7th April 2018
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It’s 1968 – the major musical event of the year is the first live TV special for Elvis Presley in what will come to be known as ‘The ’68 Comeback Special’.
Drawing phenomenal ratings, this event re-establishes Elvis as the major entertainment star of the decade, and twelve months later Elvis stars at the International Hotel in Vegas, performing live for the first time in seven years, and securing his place in history as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll!
This production celebrates 50 years since the TV phenomenon and is testament that his songs live on and the King still rules!
Internationally renowned, award winning STEVE MICHAELS stars as Elvis. His masterful renditions of The King and his music have garnered him worldwide fame, and appearances alongside the extraordinary Jordanaires and the Sweet Inspirations as well as Elvis’s legendary drummer DJ Fontana and bassist Jerry Scheff.
This is Elvis recreates all the drama leading up to the comeback as well as staging the monumental concert. It then proceeds with The King to his Vegas debut. Featuring Elvis’s greatest hits including… Trouble, Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock, One Night, It’s Now or Never, Are you Lonesome Tonight?, Can’t Help Falling in Love, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, American Trilogy, Just Can’t Help Believing and many more…
Ticket price includes a £1 contribution to our heritage fund.
Production Photographs by Pamela Raith
Event Reviews
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Choice Radio Worcester
It's 50 years since Elvis Presley’s televised Special aired on NBC Television in the States (which later came to be known as his ’68 Comeback Special) and to celebrate, a new show is at the Alex this week which portrays this pivotal period in both Elvis's life and career.
"This Is Elvis - a new musical" starts with all the drama leading up to the comeback and then stages the monumental concert where The King makes his debut in Las Vegas. This period of his career covers many of the hits for which he is famous - Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock, It’s Now or Never, Are you Lonesome Tonight?, Can’t Help Falling in Love, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, American Trilogy… the list goes on.
Steve Michaels, an award-winning tribute artist himself, is the guy responsible for portraying Elvis during this phase and for him, Elvis and his music have been part of his life since a very young age and, indeed, he has played along with some of Presley’s iconic band mates including the legendary drummer DJ Fontana and bassist Jerry Scheff and shared the stage with the extraordinary Jordanaires and the soulful voices of the Sweet Inspirations, both groups also represented in this show.
The first act consists of the initial NBC broadcast, which he was reluctant to do, followed by a scene at his Graceland home where he was finally convinced that he needed to reject the shackles of "Colonel" Tom Parker and do what he wanted to do instead. However, in reality, he is convinced to stay and perform at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, again reluctantly but with the promise of huge financial gain. The final scene takes place with a nervous Elvis in a rehearsal room just prior to the concert.
In total, the show contains around 40 songs, split equally between the two halves. But it is the second half where the show really gets into gear as it presents Elvis on stage at the hotel, shifting from his previous black leathers to his famous white costume and this is an hour of pure Elvis magic, covering hits in rapid succession from Viva Las Vegas (obviously!) to Jailhouse Rock with some quieter songs such as Can't Help Falling In Love With You and The Wonder Of You in between.
With Steve Michaels' experience in portraying Elvis, you expect him to be good. And he is. Close your eyes and you hear Elvis. Open your eyes and, well, it is still Elvis. And the audience loved it.
Aided immensely by a very talented 9-piece band on stage (who also play various characters within the show) and the three singers forming Sweet Inspirations This Is Elvis, it is directed by Bill Kenwright and based on a book by Laurie Mansfield - these are long-standing experts in entertainment so the show's pedigree is pretty much impeccable.
You'll certainly go home with a smile on your face and humming many of the tunes for which Presley is justifiably famous.
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Alison
This was the best show I’ve seen at Malvern for a long time. It was sensitive and funny and the music was great. The lead, Steve, was fantastic and carried the whole audience with him. What energy he displayed! If there is any criticism it would be that the band was too loud at times, almost overpowering the singing.
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Eileen
Steve Michaels was wonderful as Elvis. Energetic, enthusiastic and obviously enjoying his role. The band were excellent too. Don't miss this if you are an Elvis fan. Actually don't miss this even if you're not! You will not be disappointed by this exhilarating performance
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Rodney
An outstanding performance by all concerned. Steve Michaels gave his all as Elvis, as did the band. If you can tickets you should go and enjoy what is an excellent show.
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Martin
Just Brilliant from start to finish.
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Lyn
This is a fantastic show and Steve is an absolutely fantastic performer. The band are all brilliant musicians and it has you singing and dancing in your Seats. A great afternoon. It was a shame there were not more in the audience. Great show. Thank you all. Go and see the show you won't be disappointed.
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Debbie
My friend, a lifelong Elvis fan, left in tears, saying he felt that what he had just seen was as good as the real thing. You can’t say better than that. The best show I have seen in a long time and with such amazing energy.
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Marlene
The Elvis show is the best I have ever seen.it is a must see show for all Elvis fans he was fantastic just wish I had taken my foster children from Albania they would have loved it .i showed them the photos and they said they would have liked to have seen the show.i know feel disappointed as I didn’t take them.
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John
Had an amazing afternoon at Malvern theatre watching this is elvis Steve Michaels looked like Elvis sounds like Elvis could have been the king himself And the musicians and singers on stage were all brilliant
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Louise
Absolutely brilliant show. Took me right back to my childhood. My Dad was a massive Elvis fan. I’d go back tomorrow and watch it again!!
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Kate
For genuine Elvis fans this show was an electrifying essential watch. For those that know little or nothing of Elvis, the show gives a painfully accurate account of his life. It deals with his life growing up as a single twin, his relationship with his mother, his wife and daughter and with his sponsor Colonel Tom Parker. He was surrounded by friends who loved and respected him and his talent and tried to warn him about the way the Colonel was manipulating his life for his own good, but because of his upbringing Elvis refused to believe it. Elvis never lost sight of his gospel roots and refused to believe there was bad in anyone. At times this was a hard watch, seeing the increasing use of 'uppers' and 'downers' and his unbelievable insecurity about his own talent, but these moments were tempered by comedic episodes. All this was interspersed with incredibly accurate performances of early songs, rehearsals and performances played with his talented band members.
The second half of the show treated us all to the reincarnation of Elvis in a Vegas show. Steve Michaels is a remarkably talented, energetic and utterly believable Elvis 'impersonator' getting every nuance in sound and movement spot on. I, regrettably , never saw a live Elvis show but I now feel satisfied that I have experienced one of his electrifying performances. Thank you Steve Michaels.
I also want to thank Steve for being so patient and gracious after what must have been an exhausting run of thrilling performances to give myself and my daughter autographs and photos!
ELVIS LIVES THROUGH STEVE MICHAELS
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Mary
Absolutely amazing! Steve Michaels performance faultless, the energy amazing. A fabulous night of top quality entertainment, highly recommended.
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Gloria
Went to see Elvis Thursday somlooking forward to the show and omg it was brilliant.close your eyes and listen to Steve sing you would of thought it was the real Elvis. Best show I've seen for months fantastic
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Matthew
The best Elvis show I’ve ever seen! Loved the talented musicians and actors as well as Elvis himself! Definitely want to do all the singing, dancing, clapping and cheering all over again- it was that good!!! An incredible journey of emotions, telling the story of Elvis’ career along with laughter and meaningful words and GREAT music! Thank you to all the theatre staff and especially the Elvis cast and crew! A must-see show!
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Helen
Absolutely amazing show, Steve Michaels was fantastic as Elvis not only did he strongly resemble him, but he also sounded very much like him.... would definitely not hesitate to watch this show again.
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Daphne
This was a super show, it was just like it was Elvis, what a showman. We were in the front row, and even though my husband was on crutches he managed to stand up with me, we were so impressed and enjoyed it immensely.
