This is Elvis

The Official New Rock ‘n’ Roll Musical by arrangement with Elvis Presley Enterprises

Well bless my soul what’s wrong with me ? To be honest I’m all shook up. I went to the Opera House not looking for trouble and, whoops, a packed house of Presley fans from 8 to 80 gave me one night I will never forget.

I suspended belief trying to get back to my hound dog whom I had left at home without water, but what do you want me to do. I am the eyes and ears of Manchester Confidential in all things theatrical. It is an important responsibility.

My words failed to affect this audience who were having such a happy day at Heartbreak Hotel just north of the Malmaison. I thought if I wore a long raincoat I might remain inconspicuous but now my picture is all over Mancon even my blue suede shoes failed to hide my identity.

The whole wonderful, celebratory night was a homage to Elvis. The Theatre creaked with that big hunk of love which Elvis induces in so many. No chance of this crowd losing that loving feeling. It oozed out of every pore. Tonight one could not be lonesome. So on the basis that it was now or never I threw myself into the evening with gusto. I just can’t help believing that by the time you read this not one spare ticket will remain, but that’s probably the reward for suspicious minds.

Get a ticket somehow. You must be an Elvis fan and a devotee of his music. You must watch 80 year old men and women dancing in the aisles with wonderment and simply luxuriate in the moment.

A fool such as I, thought I was here to review musical theatre but I was wrong. For every baby boomer who remembers “Love me Tender“, “Don’t be Cruel“ et al and was growing up 50 years ago, this is as close to joy as Manchester can offer on a Tuesday night .

Simon Bowman is a marvellous Elvis and everybody including the wonderful participatory audience deserves credit. Now I understand how and why Shakespeare always filled “The Globe “.

Richard Burbage
Email Me Now! April 2006

At the Opera House Manchester until Saturday 22 April Box Office 0870 401 9000