There are many singers and impersonators of Elvis, the legendary rock and roll singer. Oliver Harris, in a packed pub basement bar, embodies the flavour of Elvis by using some of his moves and look, although does not attempt to carry the full costume which is refreshing. Fear not, the dark hair and fulsome sideburns are there which complements the feel of the show for anyone hoping to get a fuller Elvis experience.
When Harris sings however, that is where the resemblance is uncanny. If you closed your eyes, you would be hard pushed to hear the difference between Harris and Elvis. His skill is in embodying the emotional warmth and pain that Elvis channelled in his music. He does not just sound like him when he sings: he has the tone and meaning that Elvis brought to telling the story of a song. For diehard fans, the big, well-known numbers are covered, ranging from Always On My Mind, to Hound Dog, to Heartbreak Hotel and If I Can Dream to name but a few, filling the hour with as many classics as possible.
Harris is understated as a performer between songs, and while there is some chat about where the songs came from, what the inspiration was for them, etc, he reserves his performance for fully embracing Elvis’ music. He has an extremely powerful, emotionally charged voice and when he lets go, you can feel the room vibrate with the sound. At one point, when he began Can’t Help Falling in Love With You, there was a collective, audible ‘aahh’ from the audience.
For those who are fans, or for those who are looking for something from the heyday of the sixties and seventies, or just something a little different from theatre, then this is the show for you: a hidden gem.
Show Time: 4-27 August @ 15:00
Frankenstein Pub
Ticket Prices: £12-£15
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/elvis
Accessibility: Four steps into the venue and then a further 16 steep steps to the performance level. Toilet facilities are on the performance level only. Wheelchair access type: Not fully wheelchair accessible. Stairs: 11-20. Age: 12+