New Elvis musical set to get audiences rocking in the aisles

A young hip-gyrating Elvis is set to leave audiences all shook up and rocking in the aisles when he takes the stage in the opening scenes of a stunning new musical tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

The leather-clad young pretender will be joined by two talented Presley performers as the show takes theatre-goers through the star’s eventful life and his greatest hits.
The tribute show, ‘Elvis: An American Trilogy’, the brainchild of businessman and Elvis fan Dave Bell, will include ten showgirls from Sugarmouse Productions to bring a touch of Viva Las Vegas to the Olympia Theatre in Liverpool early next year.

Singing sensations Ian Williams from Liverpool and Alistair (Ally) Alcorn from Perth each play Elvis at a different iconic period of his life. “They have exceptional voices and their performances will make the audience swoon just as the real Elvis did back in the 50s and 60s,” said Dave.

While former Bolton Wanderers striker Marcus Hallows, who was forced to give up professional football after a leg fracture in a tackle during a game, plays the young leather-clad Elvis. The 34-year-old from Bolton has been wowing crowds with his Elvis over the past two years.

Londoner Dave, who now lives in Newcastle, was due to perform in the show as Elvis in his final years. But the father-of-two recently handed his role over to Scotsman Ally Alcorn, allowing him to deal with the management and production of the musical showstopper.

“I have been an Elvis fan since I was knee-high to a grasshopper and have longed to put on a show to pay tribute to this great man,” said Dave.

“We have showgirls to add glitz and glamour to the show to make people feel they are at a show in Vegas. The girls are stunning. They will guide the audience to their seats and then take to the stage as dancing girls.

“We began working on the show in the summer, it has now started to snowball and we only have a few months before production. Having become so involved in the management side of the show, I decided to let someone else take my place in the performance. This way I can make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Dave met Ian and Ally through his wife Tricia’s online business which specialises in handmade Elvis jumpsuits and belts for professional and amateur performers using original designs and fabrics. The business – www.concertbelts.com – has been incredibly successful with Elvis fans and tribute singers in the UK ordering handmade outfits for gigs. Tricia also supplies Elvis tribute acts with backing tracks, wigs, sideburns and scarves to enable them to put on a top performance.

Dave said: “I sold Ian one of my suits because I had decided to give up singing to concentrate on my other business interests. But when I heard Ian’s performance at a wedding, he was amazing and it re-ignited my interest in putting on an Elvis stage show.”

The pair instantly became friends and Dave brought Ian onboard to take part in his musical and began searching for other Elvis singers for the showstopper.

For years Ian, a production manager at a Widnes print company, had entertained family members with his Elvis impersonation but he had always been reticent about performing in public. He was finally bitten by the stage bug 13 years ago when he was encouraged to enter a singing competition while on holiday in Gran Canaria.

“My wife said go on, no-one knows you here. So I got up on stage and that was the start of it,” said Ian. “I owe it all to my friends and family who had faith in my abilities,” said Ian. “They encouraged me, inspired me and supported me. I spent hours practising until my voice was just right.”

A few months ago, Dave invited Ian to Newcastle to join him in a recording studio. There, Ian recorded his first CD and finally heard the voice that has wowed so many of his audiences.

“I had never heard myself sing and wasn’t sure how I sounded to audiences,” said Ian. “So when we recorded the CD and they played it back to me, I was able to lay a few ghosts to rest. My first reaction was ‘I know it’s me, but I cannot believe it is me singing.’”

He added: “I have spent every waking hour preparing mentally, physically and vocally for this project. I have been rehearsing every spare hour. I sing in the shower, in the car and when I’m walking along the road.

“I am so excited about performing in my home town which has a great history when it comes to encouraging home grown talent. It’s going to very special playing to a Liverpool audience who have always been incredibly supportive of local talent.
“Now I cannot wait to get on that stage and sing.”

‘Elvis: An American Trilogy’ tells the story of Presley’s rise to stardom from his youthful, leather-clad hip-gyrating days to the height of Vegas stardom, ending with the final years before his death. The show includes lavish and stunning stage backdrops for the different eras of Elvis. Each Elvis will perform separately until the final scene when the three will sing together.

Dundee-born Ally, who lives in Perth with his wife and young son, served in the Army for 23 years. He currently works for First ScotRail and entertains crowds in pubs and clubs in Perth, Dundee and Fife with his Elvis tribute act.

Ally said: “I first got into the Elvis scene when I was asked to do a charity night in Perth three years ago. I was then approached by Radio Tay to do another event in Dundee for charity and it all escalated from there.”

Ian, who is married with three children, said: “There are lots of people out there doing Elvis. Some exaggerate the King and try to mimic him. But the three of us in this show have taken great care and attention to bring audiences the pure Elvis. And I am very proud of that.”

‘Elvis: An American Trilogy’ will be staged at the Liverpool Olympia on 20th February 2010. The tribute show is expected to attract a capacity crowd of 1,100 people who will also be entertained by support act the Acoustic Beatles on the night. During the show, organisers will raffle a limited edition gold disc featuring Elvis’s American Trilogy to raise funds for the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology in the Wirral.

For more information and tickets for the show, please call Dave Bell on 07747 571326; email: info@elvisroadshow.co.uk; or log onto: www.elvisroadshow.co.uk Tickets are also available from Liverpool Olympia Theatre booking office on 0151 263 6633.

30 November 2009