Review: This Is Elvis gets crowds dancing at New Wimbledon Theatre

I didn’t really know I was an Elvis fan until we went to the opening night of This Is Elvis at New Wimbledon Theatre yesterday.

The musical, which we had been invited to review, starts with what’s later become known as the ‘The ’68 Comeback Special’ when Elvis appeared in a live show on NBC. The show recreates the drama leading up to the comeback, and then proceeds with The King making his Vegas debut.

Elvis Presley is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, having starred in more than 30 films and performed record breaking shows and concerts. The first act in the musical about The King of Rock n’ Roll made for a great introduction to what was happening in Elivs’s life at the time of the comeback, and in the second act it felt like we had travelled back in time to a Vegas hotel venue.

We were treated to what felt like a brilliantly fun concert that had us up on our feet dancing and singing along to songs I didn’t even realise I practically knew by heart. When we turned up yesterday I certainly wasn’t expecting to be dancing in the stalls but we ended up having a blast. We were clapping, dancing – even picking up some new moves–and singing everything from Suspicious Minds to In the Ghetto.

Elvis is played by international award-winning tribute artist and actor Steve Michaels, and he didn’t only impress us with energetic dancing and a recognisable Elvis singing voice, but he also handled comments from audience members in style, blowing kisses and staying in character.

This was one incredibly fun and unique evening out!

This Is Elvis is playing at New Wimbledon Theatre until 17 March. The show is on a nationwide tour, which started in January 2018.

Photos by Pamela Raith Photography

Tags: Musical, New Wimbledon Theatre, Review, Theatre, This Is Elvis