This is Elvis is a new musical which recreates the drama leading up to, and including, Elvis's live 1968 TV special - as well as the event itself.

The show opens quietly and cautiously, backstage at Elvis' comeback special in 1968 and ends gloriously loud and pounding as the King of Rock n Roll is fully reborn centre stage at Las Vegas some 8 months later. 

The audience can certainly believe they are seeing and listening to The King in his early 30's, as Steve Michaels plays both the public performer and the man away from media scrutiny with equal quality and care. 

The first half gives us an insight to the joy Presley took in getting back to playing live music, and how his (then ill fated) dream to get back to his blues and rock music playing roots is derailed to become the showbiz supershow engineered by the unseen Colonel Tom Parker. Ably assisted by the multi-talented supporting cast, songs are sung that may not be totally known to those who only know his music from selected ‘best of’ or ‘greatest hits’ packages, but they are made that more entertaining by their relative unfamiliarity and freshness. During the 'jam' sessions there is even a little cheeky Elivis version of a Beatles great thrown in.

The second half is the pulsating Las Vegas show when all on stage truly take us back as if we were at the International Hotel that night nearly half a century ago, to see the King re-crowned.

The tightly directed 9 piece band and backing singers gives Michaels the best of platforms to allow him to shine. The crowd were on their feet dancing and applauding long before the inevitable "ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!” is spoken over the loudspeakers.       

An absolute joy whether you’re a Graceland fanatic, or just a passing fan - this is not an impression of Elvis, this is not an impersonation of Elvis...this IS Elvis!

The show runs at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 24th March. For more information, check atgtickets.com/birmingham.