Elvis (musical)

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Musical by Various Artists

"Elvis" - The Musical

Original London Cast Recording

Music| Various Artists
Lyrics| Various Artists
Book| Jack Good
Ray Cooney
Basis| The life and music of Elvis Presley
Productions|

* 1977 West End
* 1996 West End

Elvis is a jukebox musical based upon the life of American singer Elvis Presley, conceived by and Ray Cooney (Producer and Co-Devisor) and Jack Good (Director and Co-devisor).[1][2] It tells the story of Elvis's life and career, from the beginning until his death. The original cast included Shakin' Stevens, who later became the top-selling UK singles artist of the 1980s and Tracey Ullman.[3]

## Production history

[edit]

### 1977 production

[edit]

The original West End production opened on November 28, 1977, at the Astoria Theatre in London, which had been converted from a cinema especially for the show by Laurie Marsh.[4][5][2] Elvis was portrayed by three performers: Tim Whitnall as Young Elvis, Shakin' Stevens as Middle Elvis in his army and movie star years and PJ Proby as Mature Elvis in his Las Vegas years. Proby was later replaced by Bogdan Kominowski. Live musical accompaniment was provided by the rock and roll revival group, Fumble.[3] The production won the 1977 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical and played for 614 performances, closing in April 1979.[6][7][8] (This can be confirmed by the fact that many of the cast went on to perform in the 1979, revival of Grease which previewed at the Bristol Hippodrome in May 1979).[9] The show did a nine-month UK and Europe tour from December 1979, with full cast replacements except for Stevens and Kominowski, who briefly reprised their roles but were replaced during the tour by Bo Wills as Middle Elvis and Vince Eager as Mature Elvis.[10][11] Touring commenced at the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth and concluded at the King's Theatre, Edinburgh. International stops included Gothenburg, Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Oslo, Amsterdam and Den Bosch.

#### Production team

[edit]

* Producer and co-devisor - Ray Cooney
* Director and co-devisor - Jack Good
* Designer - Patrick Robertson
* Lighting - David Hersey
* Costumes - Rosemary Vercoe
* Sound - Autograph
* AV - Ray Millichope
* Musical Director - Keith Strachan
* Musical Supervisor and co-writer - Harry Robinson
* Assistant director - Annabel Leventon
* Choreographer - Carole Todd

#### Cast

[edit]

* PJ Proby (listed as James Proby in programme) - Older Elvis (later replaced by Bogdan Kominowski)
* Bogdan Kominowski \- Older Elvis
* Shakin' Stevens \- Middle Elvis
* Tim Whitnall \- Young Elvis
* Helen Baker - Singer and Dancer
* Tanith Banbury - Singer and Dancer
* Anna Macleod - Singer and Dancer
* Yael O'Dwyer - Singer and Dancer
* Tracey Ullman \- Dance Captain and Singer / Dancer
* Richard Ashley - Singer and Dancer
* Paul Felber - Singer and Dancer
* Stephen Leigh - Singer and Dancer
* Richard Piper - Singer and Dancer
* Shaun Simon - Singer and Dancer

#### Musicians

[edit]

* Keith Strachan[12] (MD)
* Sean Mayes
* Mario Ferrari
* Des Henly
* Barry Pike
* Ronnie Caryl
* Bob Efford
* Roy Truman
* Paul Urwin
* Mike Harding
* Tony Hepworth
* Mark Hutchins
* Phil Todd

### 1996 production

[edit]

In 1996, Bill Kenwright Ltd mounted a modified production at the Prince Of Wales Theatre, directed by Keith Strachan and Carole Todd.[13] PJ Proby returned as Las Vegas Elvis, Tim Whitnall as mid-period Elvis, and Alexander Bar[14] joined them as young Elvis. Various song changes were made to the initial 1977 production. After transferring to the Piccadilly Theatre in 1997,[15] the show toured the UK until 2000.[16]

## Musical numbers

[edit]

Source:[17]

* Tupelo Mississippi Flash
* Blue Suede Shoes
* Are You Lonesome Tonight?
* Yesterday
* A World Without Love
* Mystery Train
* Tiger Man
* Loving You
* I Want To Hold Your Hand
* All Round The World
* Six-Five Special
* How Great Thou Art
* King Creole
* Dixieland Rock
* Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do
* Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
* Ready Teddy
* Let's Have a Party
* Tryin' to Get to You
* Too Much
* Teddy Bear
* Such a Night
* Don't
* Good Luck Charm
* Return to Sender
* Burning Love
* My Baby Left Me
* One Night
* Treat Me Nice
* Mean Woman Blues
* Hound Dog
* Jailhouse Rock
* An American Trilogy

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The encyclopedia of popular music. London: Omnibus Press, in association with Muze. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8. OCLC 804879997.
2. ^ a b "Elvis 77". Keith Strachan. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
3. ^ a b "FUMBLE in Elvis – The Musical". www.fumbleontheweb.com. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
4. ^ "The Astoria Theatre, 157, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
5. ^ "Astoria | Theatres Trust". database.theatrestrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
6. ^ "Evening Standard theatre awards: 1955-1979". Evening Standard. 2003-10-30. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
7. ^ "London Musicals 1977" (PDF). Over The Footlights. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
8. ^ Wintour, Charles (1980). Celebration: twenty-five years of British theatre. London: W.H. Allen. OCLC 558149839.
9. ^ "Grease (London Revival, 1979)". www.ovrtur.com. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
10. ^ Birmingham Hippodrome archives, Programme, Elvis The Musical tour, 16–28 June 1980.
11. ^ Birmingham Hippodrome archives, chronology of performances, 16–28 June 1980, Elvis The Musical tour.
12. ^ Keith Strachan Musical director of 1977 production and co-director of 1996 production.
13. ^ "London Musicals 1996" (PDF). Over The Footlights. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-05. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
14. ^ Alexander Bar
15. ^ "London Musicals 1997" (PDF). Over The Footlights. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-05. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
16. ^ Birmingham Hippodrome archives, chronology of performances, 21–26 April 1997, Elvis The Musical tour.
17. ^ "MusicalHeaven.com". Archived from the original on 2010-07-29. Retrieved 2009-12-02.

## External links

[edit]

* Fumble Site devoted to the original house band.
* Alexander Bar Site maintained by a star of the 1996 production, featuring clippings, photographs and promotional appearances.

* v
* t
* e

Elvis Presley

* Awards
* Albums
* Singles
* Songs
* Films and television
* Personal relationships
* Cultural depictions
* Cultural impact

Studio albums|

* Elvis Presley
* Elvis (1956 album)
* Elvis' Christmas Album
* Elvis Is Back!
* His Hand in Mine
* Something for Everybody
* Pot Luck
* How Great Thou Art
* From Elvis in Memphis
* From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
* That's the Way It Is
* Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)
* Love Letters from Elvis
* Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas
* Elvis Now
* He Touched Me
* Elvis (1973 album)
* Raised on Rock / For Ol' Times Sake
* Good Times
* Promised Land
* Today
* From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee
* Moody Blue

Soundtrack albums|

* Loving You
* King Creole
* G.I. Blues
* Blue Hawaii
* Girls! Girls! Girls!
* It Happened at the World's Fair
* Fun in Acapulco
* Kissin' Cousins
* Roustabout
* Girl Happy
* Harum Scarum
* Frankie and Johnny
* Paradise Hawaiian Style
* Spinout
* Double Trouble
* Clambake
* Speedway
* Viva Elvis
* Elvis Presley: The Searcher

EPs|

* Love Me Tender
* Peace in the Valley
* Jailhouse Rock
* Flaming Star
* Follow That Dream
* Kid Galahad
* Viva Las Vegas
* Tickle Me
* Easy Come, Easy Go

Live albums|

* Elvis (1968 album)
* From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
* On Stage
* As Recorded at Madison Square Garden
* Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite
* Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis
* Having Fun with Elvis on Stage
* Elvis in Concert
* An Afternoon in the Garden

Budget albums|

* Elvis Sings Flaming Star
* Let's Be Friends
* Almost in Love
* C'mon Everybody
* I Got Lucky
* Elvis' 40 Greatest
* Pure Gold

Compilation albums|

* Elvis' Golden Records
* For LP Fans Only
* A Date with Elvis
* 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong
* Elvis' Golden Records Volume 3
* Elvis for Everyone!
* Elvis' Gold Records Volume 4
* You'll Never Walk Alone
* Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1
* Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 2
* The Sun Sessions
* Welcome to My World
* He Walks Beside Me
* Mahalo from Elvis
* Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 3
* Greatest Hits Volume 1
* Elvis' Gold Records Volume 5
* Blue Christmas
* Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances
* Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II
* Elvis 56
* Greatest Jukebox Hits
* Tiger Man
* Memories: The '68 Comeback Special
* Sunrise
* Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology
* The 50 Greatest Hits
* ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits
* 2nd to None
* Elvis at Sun
* Hitstory
* Elvis Inspirational
* Elvis Rock
* Elvis Christmas
* The Essential Elvis Presley
* Christmas Duets
* If I Can Dream
* Way Down in the Jungle Room
* The Wonder of You
* Where No One Stands Alone

Greatest hits albums|

* Elvis

Box sets|

* Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. 1
* The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters
* From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters
* Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters
* Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings
* Live in Las Vegas
* Today, Tomorrow, and Forever
* Elvis the King
* The Complete '68 Comeback Special
* The Complete Elvis Presley Masters

Biographical media|

* Elvis (1979 film)
* Elvis and Me (miniseries)
* Elvis (1990 series)
* Elvis Meets Nixon
* Elvis (2005 miniseries)
* Elvis & Nixon
* Elvis (2022 film)
* Agent Elvis (2023 series)
* Priscilla

Documentaries|

* The Pied Piper of Cleveland
* Elvis: That's the Way It Is
* Elvis on Tour
* This Is Elvis
* The New Gladiators
* Elvis Presley: The Searcher
* Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley

TV specials|

* The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis
* Elvis ('68 Comeback Special)
* Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite
* Elvis in Concert

Stage shows|

* Cooking with Elvis
* All Shook Up
* Elvis. The Musical
* Elvis: The Concert
* Viva Elvis
* The Elvis Dead

Related people|

* Lisa Marie Presley (daughter)
* Riley Keough (granddaughter)
* Priscilla Presley (ex-wife)
* Brandon Presley (second cousin)
* Sam Phillips
* The Blue Moon Boys
* The Jordanaires
* The Imperials
* The Sweet Inspirations
* TCB Band
* J. D. Sumner
* Stephen H. Sholes
* June Juanico
* Memphis Mafia
* Colonel Tom Parker
* George C. Nichopoulos
* Judy Spreckels
* Linda Thompson
* Ginger Alden
* Larry Geller

Related articles|

* Graceland
* Audubon Street House
* Impersonators
* Elvis and Gladys
* Elvis and Me
* Elvis: What Happened?
* Elvis-A-Rama Museum
* Sun recordings
* Million Dollar Quartet
* Cultural depictions of Elvis Presley
* Songs about Elvis
* Elvis Presley Enterprises
* Elvis Presley Lake
* "Elvis has left the building"
* Elvis Radio
* FBI files on Elvis Presley
* Military service
* Eight Elvises
* Triple Elvis
* Elvis Presley's Pink Cadillac
* Elvis Presley's guitars
* Elvis Presley single
* Elvis Presley Forever stamp
* Elvis sightings
* Elvis sandwich
* Fool's Gold Loaf
* Elvis' Greatest Shit
* List of memorials

* Category

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