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My Boy Elvis . . .
If you walked passed the Olympia Theatre last February 24th, you could have been rightly so thinking that Elvis Presley was in town, live on stage performing . . . The doors closed, we are introduced to My Boy Elvis.
While one can only excuse you for your misunderstanding, Elvis was in Dublin. George Twamley doing what the Colonel never did, bring Elvis to stage, live in Ireland. My Boy Elvis is a unique, qualitative narration post Elvis' life, a tell tale story of the infamous, unique, critical and often hated relationship between The King and self appointed Colonel.
Often speculated, did he make Elvis or did Elvis make him? Who knows? As a fan, its self opinionated. With so much historic content in the media, we can only conclude ourselves. However, My Boy Elvis prevents such researching. A credit to George Twamley of The Irish Elvis Presley Fan Club, his direction of the first on stage musical depicting Elivs' life, let alone this unique relationship, one can only commend George. My Boy Elvis is a wonderfully researched, well planned documentary of how Elvis found fame, apparently lost it, but re-gauged it, while experiencing the troublesome ups and downs of everyday life as both an entertainer and human being. Elvis' knowledge of his ability to entertain and super stain his creditability often encouraged, but discouraged at the hands of The Colonel. This narration being professionally documented through the experience of George and his acclaimed cast.
With the well known and highly experienced Liam Murphy, the show could not be but satisfying. Liam, a professional Elvis Tribute Artist, having won first prize in Elvis Idol, The World's Finest Elvis Impersonator, Liam lets us relive the fantastic greats as "Such A Night" in that wonderful Gold Lame Suit, to the fans "self gracious" Wonder Of You, in his military uniform. But the entertainment did not stop there. A further treat of Liam in the infamous Black Leather Comeback wardrobe, Elvis' return to musical acclaim. Liam, nothing but a credit to the legacy that was Elvis Presley, eyes down, listening, he was Elvis Presley.
While remembering the life of Elvis Presley, was Joseph King, Elvis' Spirit with The Colonel, intimately remembering the years as they lived them. Joseph, well lets just say, King, he is. I recall watching him on stage sitting in the American Eagle suit, it was as if it was a live view of the Aloha press conference of 1972 with Elvis seated, being filmed as the interviewer was talking. This Is Elvis! Joseph has credibly recreated Elvis' voice, physical actions and persona to every minute detail. This Is Elvis? No He Is Elvis! By far one of the most leading Elvis Tribute Artists I have ever experienced live. I experienced Elvis Presley that night, with two dramatic artists, and great people . . .
My Boy Elvis however, was the description of that relationship with Elvis meeting The Colonel in the afterlife with Elvis asking those questions we all consider, but will never know the answers to. Who better to play the character of The Colonel then Alan Curran, no stranger to theatrical performances, Alan having performed recently in the Tivoli Theatre in the much acclaimed Sopranos. An energetic entertainer and vocalist, as was all cast members. With professional dancers, recreations of Elvis affiliates, Elvis' life was well documented. His close relationship with mother, Gladys, played by Melanie Phillips, Vernon, played by Gerry Wade, highly acclaimed performers. With incites to Elvis' younger self, Craig Connolley, relationships with not just but the Colonel, we are treated to a documentation of Elvis' onstage performance with old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra, fantastic Mark Tolan, and Tricky Dickie, Gerry Wade, doubling Vernon Presley, my critical summary needs no further dictation.
Elvis Presley was not just an entertainer, he was a self critical being, something we all should be. The tour that never was, was, Elvis came to Ireland that night, and we can only thank George Twamley for allowing us the experience.
Text/IMAGE (C) EOL
CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF LIAM MURPHY AND JOSEPH KING'S OTHER CAPTURED PERFORMANCES...
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