The Arches, London Bridge – until 26 February 2024
Reviewer Alec Legge
5*****
Off to the Arches, under London Bridge Station, this being a new exhibition space made out of five interconnected tunnels with six metre ceilings which sets out to be a new cultural hub for London.
On entry I was provided with an audio commentary gizmo which I found very useful. Into the exhibition itself and honestly I was completely taken back. Elvis’s music was playing continuously in the background whilst each room was packed with artefacts from his life and career.
Starting from a layout of items from his early life growing up and starting work in Tupelo, a small town in Mississippi, which even included a pair of work overalls he once wore. A model of his house which was self built by his family showed his working class origins.
Continuing on there were items from his early career showing his rise to fame including signing for Sun Records.
On to exhibits showing his Ferrari Dino GT4, his TCB Super Trike Motor Cycle and the marvellous jump suits he wore for his stage appearances. The array of his jump suits was amazingly stunning, one after the other in different fantastic designs and decoration.
Also included is his uniform, pictures and so on from his time in the Army when he served in Germany. Remember ‘GI Blues‘ and ‘Wooden Heart‘! In another area there was a display of Lisa Marie’s baby clothes.
In one room the wall was lined with an amazing array of his film posters. What memories they brought back! Also in this room was his red MG sports car which featured in ‘Blue Hawaii‘ Also displayed were artefacts from Graceland such as his gold telephone, a pottery monkey and gold plated lion statues which were in his den he called the jungle room.
The walls of each area were adorned with candid photographs of Elvis together with video displays, posters etc. plus some of gold records he was awarded over the years.
As myself and my companion Betty, wandered round the exhibits it brought back the memories of our teens and twenties in the sixties and seventies when Elvis’s incomparable music accompanied us through these times. I am also sure that a younger generation will also enjoy seeing this exhibition as Elvis and his music will appeal to all.
This is a most wonderful, spectacular, awe inspiring (just ran out of expletives!) exhibition which is a must, must, see for any fans of Elvis in particular, but will also appeal to all.