A couple of firsts here; my first tribute show and the first time I have visited Harrogate’s Royal Hall. I hope that I will get more opportunities to repeat the latter. I found the former most confusing as, rather than a bloke with glasses taking to the stage to sing Accidents Will Happen, Oliver’s Army and I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea, this chap with black hair, long sideburns and a white rhinestone encrusted jump suit came on and began belting out old rock and roll songs. Fortunately I was lucky enough to see Mr Costello live a few years ago, but, as Mr Presley was averse to flying, I was never able to see him in the flesh. The only time he set foot on British soil was in 1960 when the aircraft carrying him home from Germany after his army service, stopped for 90 minutes to refuel at Prestwick Airport, Scotland,
Harrogate’s version of a mosh pit
I have never understood what the attraction of tribute acts is. Yes, I have seen countless people play stars like Buddy Holly, Tina Turner, Johnny Cash etc, but they have always been on stage as part of a narrative relating to a period in the lives of the singers concerned – that is what actors do. I even saw a musical, This Is Elvis in which the star, Steve Michaels, covered the Comeback Special in 1968 and his first performance of a 57 show run in the International Hotel, Las Vegas in 1969. Here we had Rob Kingsley pretending to be The King of Rock and Roll for no other reason than to sing his songs. It wasn’t a reenactment of a concert as such, although that was the format. I am sure there is something here I don’t comprehend, as I felt the evening was like going to an art gallery to see a print of the Mona Lisa, where although the picture would be identical except for the brush strokes and patina, it was not quite right. I admit that Mr Kingsley did a pretty good job in replicating the moves and gestures of his subject but I could not help but compare it to the uncanny resemblance of the subject’s Las Vegas stint from Mr Michaels. I will leave comparisons aside now and concentrate on the Harrogate show, but should you wish to read my 2018 review of This Is Elvis, please see This Is Elvis at Leeds Grand Theatre Until 9 June
The show began with a film projected onto a screen at the back of the stage showing an animated satellite beaming a ray to earth, followed by a 1970s era film of a light aircraft landing and a stretch limo pulling up outside a hotel with the back door being opened by a security man, presumably indicating that Elvis had entered the building. The six-piece band, who were excellent, as were the two women singers on stage, played the walk-on music and we were away, straight into a couple of early rockers. As Elvis hit the first note, a chap got out of one of the stalls seats, walked to the front of the stage and began to dance! I believe that he was a plant to signal to the audience that it was OK to follow suit, although no one did at this early stage. The man concerned was not in the first flush of youth and the epitome of a dad dancer which signified that if he could do it anyone could. Fortunately I was in the Grand Circle, or I may have been tempted to throw a few shapes a little later on – but then again…..
The third number was designed to encourage audience participation of the vocal kind, being Runaway, originally recorded by Del Shannon. It was indicated that we should join in with the Wah Wah Wahs and Why Why Whys in the chorus, but it was met with a fair amount of apathy. Things did pick up somewhat after the interval, and perhaps a couple of drinks in the bar. It was apparent that it was going to be a long night when the star did a walkabout among the audience during one song, chatting with the odd female and stealing a kiss or two. All seemed to be going well until he approached a middle aged chap and, in his broadest Tupelo, Mississippi drawl asked him ‘Awr y’avin fern?’ (Are you having fun?) to which the reply was ‘Yer wot?’ (I beg your pardon) Fortunately, by this time it was obvious that the evening was being treated as a bit of a parody rather than a serious piece of work and so the place dissolved into laughter.
American Trilogy
I thought that the sexual aspect of the performance was a bit creepy at times but that was The King’s USP so I was probably in a minority of one there. I will give Mr Kingsley his due in a couple of respects, firstly he sang In The Ghetto straight, backed by a black and white film of life in 1960s and 70s Chicago, and his acknowledgement and thanks to Elvis Presley for being such an amazing superstar and inspiration. Sadly, that was one of the only parts of his spoken performance I understood, not because of the accent, but the sound was very muffled, something which was remarked on by another audience member at the interval. It also means that I am not able to name the members of the group or the backing singers as I couldn’t make them out when he introduced them to perform solo and there was no programme. A QR code displayed on a projection at the back of the stage gave an error message but although he lovely staff at the theatre got me a business card from the merch stand which did link up, the musicians are only referred to by their first names and there are only four shown rather than the six who were involved. They were Joe – Piano and Keyboards, Ian – Drums, Cris – Guitar and Pedal Steel and Tom – Guitar. The Trumpeter and Trombonist are anonymous. The backing Vocalists were Kathy and Kree.
If you are a fan of Elvis and prepared to stretch your imagination then this is for you. For more details of the show, which has now moved on, and tickets for future dates, please go to https://avisionofelvis.com
To see what is coming to Harrogate Theatre see https://harrogatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on
I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t show you some pictures of the magnificent Harrogate Royal Hall. In sharp contrast to the fakery of the act, this is the real thing, built in 1903 to cater for the Edwardian gentry who had come to the town to take the spa water in the hope of curing their various ills. Spectacular!
Photographs by Stan Graham
