This Is Elvis

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Theatre Royal, Brighton, Monday, July 9 - Saturday, July 14

THIS memorable show is a “must” for any fans of The King.

It is cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed, but more importantly has great heart and soul.

Steve Michaels is probably the best Elvis impersonator you will see in your lifetime, but he is a lot more than that in this captivating musical.

Michaels gets inside the skin and spirit of Elvis and also pours every ounce of his energy into the faster numbers.

In the first half Michaels reveals the insecurity of Elvis as he reluctantly fulfils his greedy manager Tom Parker’s contract to make a comeback at Las Vegas.

But through a stunning performance by Michaels we also see the humour and humanity of Elvis and his obsession with the loss of his twin at birth and his abiding love for his deceased mother.

The second half is a re-make of the Vegas show, with hardly any dialogue but a rip-roaring session of tear-jerking ballads and pulsating rock.

A party in fact, with the punchy band and the brilliant Sweet Inspirations backing singers making a treat of numbers like In The Ghetto and The Wonder of You.

From the first half numbers a lot more of an all-too-brief powerhouse Lawdy Miss Clawdy, one of the best songs of the night, would be the icing on the cake.

Little Sister just blisters along while Peace in the Valley shows the thoughtful side of Elvis.

The secret of this show’s success is its superb pacing.

The dialogue is never over-done, so the fans eager for tunes get what they came for.

Michaels delivers the songs so beautifully he is probably the nearest thing to the real Elvis, who never made it to these shores.

If you go, remember what Elvis says. “If you feel the heat, get out of your seat.”

Phillip Dennett

Annie

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Shoreham Academy, Shoreham, Thursday, July 12 - Saturday, July 14

HAVING accepted an invitation from a friend, a theatre lecturer at the Academy, to see this production I was impressed with the standard of the show and the youngsters involved.

Set during the Great Depression it’s a story of optimism and of an orphan’s dream to find the parents who abandoned her as a baby.

Her life at the orphanage, under the drunken harridan Miss Hannigan, is grim until taken up by billionaire, Oliver Warbucks who provides the opportunity for a better life.

The success of the show rests mainly on the shoulders of the actress playing the title role and in this case, Tilly Hall.

Hall rises to the challenge and delivers a knockout performance – a triple threat in acting, singing and dancing and totally unfazed when being upstaged by Sandy the dog.

Equally impressive is Poppy Hall who gives a very mature portrayal of Miss Hannigan.

She skilfully brings out both the odious and comic sides of the character. Her solo ‘Little Girls’ is a triumph.

More comedy comes from George Booker as Hannigan’s crooked brother and Lilli Southgate, his moll.

They have great fun when joined by Hanningan in the jazzy ‘Easy Street’.

There are strong performances from George Thomas and Mariam Jawara as Warbucks and Grace Farrell, his secretary.

Thomas manages well the transition from gruff tycoon to caring benefactor whilst Jawara’s Farrell is a well balanced mixture of efficiency and maternalism.

Other fine performances come from Jamie Redford, oozing cheesiness as the radio presenter, Jake Loney-Pursaill, Kiara-Ann Atkinson and Olly Cave.

No show is complete without a strong and talented ensemble and Director Amanda West has drawn together such a team headed a great bunch of orphans.

They are spot on and totally in sync with their buckets for ‘Hard Knock Life’.

Barrie Jerram