“This Is Elvis”
Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

I, like any Elvis fan, can remember precisely where I was and what I was doing when I heard of the death of The King of Rock n Roll. I never had the privilege to see the man live. This show is as close as you will get to that event.

Ok let’s get this out there to start with. This is not an Elvis tribute act.

Stephen Michaels has been performing Elvis’ songs for many years now. He started as a three piece rockabilly group performing the songs Elvis recorded for the Sun Record label. This trio grew to a 14 piece ensemble of musicians and singers and toured Canada, United States and Australia.

The tour has now hit the UK and Nottingham. Steve has performed with several of Elvis’ original band and singers, so this man has been accepted by the people who worked alongside and knew the king of Rock n Roll.

This production celebrates 50 years since the Elvis ’68 Comeback Special aired on TV and includes so many of The king’s biggest hits, “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.

The first act we see Elvis's lead up to this massive event; an event that brought the fear and the nerves from The King, but an event that showed what an incredible performer the man was.

As an Elvis fan I was a little unsure just how much Stephen Micheals would look like Elvis and how close to the Elvis sound he would get.

I need not have been so sceptical because within just a few minutes of being on stage, Stephen Michaels was Elvis Presley. Closing my eyes I could imagine the man on stage was Elvis. He sounded like Elvis and he has an uncanny resemblance to him also.

I say that this show is not a tribute to Elvis and in my mind, that is true. Stephen Michaels is not just an actor placed in a musical to portray The King. He has a natural air about him which makes watching Stephen magnetic to watch. the more you watch and listen, the more you realise that Stephen Michaels is an Elvis fan and he loves the music, and that adoration to the man he becomes on stage is as hypnotic as I can only imagine being able to see Elvis on stage might have been.

Elvis could sing anything, gospel, blues, rock n roll, ballads, country, disco and he made every song his own, even his version of "Old MacDonald Had A Farm". Elvis' nuances and the way he played with the notes, just like an experienced jazz singer, were all noted and presented on stage.

For one who never had the chance to see the real thing, this is the closest I'm ever going to get, and I left the theatre happy that I got to see what a great performer of songs the man was, even if it was from someone who obviously loved the man and his music as much as myself.

Must not forget to mention though that this show also boasts an equally amazing band and backing singers, recreating that special sound.

“This Is Elvis” is at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall” until Saturday 11 August 2018.A must for any fan of great music.