The Dominion Theatre – 18th February 2024
Reviewed by Ava Clarkson
5*****
In 1953, Elvis Presley walked into Sun Studios in Memphis Tennessee and said “I wanna make a record for my mama, kind of a present”. The rest is history…..
For one night only, the hit stage show “The Elvis Years” returns to London’s west end to the Dominion Theatre for its 20th Anniversary Tour. I was lucky enough to be invited to watch and review this show – and what a show it was!
The Elvis Years starring Mario Kombou, tells the story of Elvis Presley through his music, how a boy from Tupelo, Mississippi went on to become one of the greatest musical icons EVER!
Mario Kombou is phenomenal as Elvis. Mario has starred in the West End Musical “Jailhouse Rock” as well as many performances on TV and radio. Mario also won the “Images of The King” competition in Memphis in 2005, the only European Contestant ever to do so. He was invited to visit Donna Presley (Elvis’ 1st cousin) where she officially endorsed him and in her words states “I was moved by his amazing vocal resemblance to Elvis- he is the best Elvis, since Elvis”
The show opens and we are in the studios of Sun Studios in Memphis, with Elvis recording his first song. There is a large screen behind the stage which throughout the concert shows archive footage from the events of Elvis’ life. The songs come thick and fast and Mario does not drop a note. He is charming and playful with the audience, cheeky winks and smiles to the front row keep the fans screaming and shouting as if Elvis was actually in front of us, and for 2 hours it feels like he is. We are taken on a trip through the years, the stage and outfits change in quick succession and look authentic, accurate and flamboyant. All the hits ring out as well as less well known songs, but the audience responds to every one of them. Mario’s voice is amazing and if you close your eyes – you are in Las Vegas singing to Always on my Mind, or welcoming him home from the Army on The Frank Sinatra Show in 1959.
After a short break, Mario and the band Simon Parrish, Stephen Gray, John Joce, Tom Parrish and dancers and backing vocalists Jennie Kait, Josie Stearman and Aimee Good come back onto the stage and Mario talks more about The Elvis Years Tour, his time on Jailhouse Rock and gives some shout outs to the audience. We have a short singalong together before another quick costume change and the show goes on. The second half is even more dazzling, the sideburns are longer, the outfits are sparkly and the famous white jumpsuit makes an appearance as Mario belts out hit after hit. He moves into the audience, kissing the girls and handing out silk scarves, he has us in the palm of his hand. He tells quick jokes, smiles and engages with us. The music, directed by David Mackay, thumps through the theatre, the acoustics are amazing and you feel the bass in your body.
It feels like we are coming to a crescendo as the white jumpsuit gains a cape, the audience is allowed to dance and the biggest of Elvis’s hits are sung. People are in the aisles and run down to the front to get a close up view. After several encores, the show has more than run over its time, but no one cares – no one wants to leave. Then as he leaves the stage a loud voice booms out “Elvis has left the building”. Wow!
The highlight of the night for me was “Bridge over Troubled Water” – Mario can sing! But my goodness, I had tears in my eyes. The clarity and power in his vocals blew the audience away. Having lived with a huge Elvis fan for nearly 30 years and visiting events such as “The International Elvis Festival”, I can honestly say Mario is the best tribute act I have ever seen. If you get the chance to see this tour – go. The show is back in London in June and is currently touring the UK.
I agree with Donna Presley – Mario is the best Elvis since Elvis.
Thank you very much…