(Pic: Shaky Russell heads the cast of the Presley tribute)
It’s definitely a case of “long live The King” at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway with Elvis Forever, a tribute to the king of rock ‘n roll, Elvis Presley.
He may be dead but his spirit is very much alive in the hip-swinging, velvet-voiced Shaky Russell. An Elvis award-winning performer, he had audiences all shook up in Walking In Memphis at the venue in 2005 and 2007 … so much so that he is making a comeback (not unlike the King himself) for two weeks only.
This charismatic singer has wowed audiences both nationally and internationally, and taking Memphis itself by storm was the ultimate accolade. Shaky is one of today’s supreme Elvis Presley tribute performers with a style and energy that resonates of The King himself. He doesn’t impersonate, nor does he imitate. "What I do is not a 'rip off' but a spectacular tribute. I don't talk to the audiences as Elvis, but about Elvis. I was bouncing to the tunes of Elvis before I could walk,” quips Shaky and with his very apt name, it seems pre-determined that his life was going to be intertwined with one of the world’s greatest musical legends. The Barnyard is geared to shake, rattle and roll!
Elvis Presley was one of the greatest singers and entertainers the world has ever known, and shook up the music industry for three decades before his untimely death at the age of 42 in 1977. His death created a void in the hearts of music lovers the world over, and Elvis Forever aims to fill that gap by paying tribute to the legend that was Elvis - both the man and the performer.
The tribute show takes audiences back to an age of discovery, when people enjoyed life and rocked like there was no tomorrow. The show captures the onstage excitement of Elvis's greatest performances and energetically reproduces hits spanning the 50s, 60s and Vegas 70s.
Audiences can expect to hear all their Elvis favourites including Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, Don’t Be Cruel, Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender, It’s Now Or Never, Return To Sender, Suspicious Minds, Can’t Help Falling In Love and the American Trilogy.
Joining Shaky on male vocals will be SK, and they are joined by powerhouse Felicity Kiran and Kerry-Lee McGibbin on female vocals. The band will be made up of Rowan Stuart (guitar), Calli Thomson (keyboards), Bongani Sokhele (bass guitar), Brian Fraser (drums), Colin Mairs (saxophone) and Stephanie Pais (trumpet).
Elvis Forever runs from April 7 to 19. Tickets R105 pp Wednesday to Saturday (R70 discounted specials of R70 pp Tuesday nights and Sunday matinees). For bookings and enquiries, phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.
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