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PREVIEW: ELVIS Las Vegas 1969 at The Woodville in Gravesend

Kent singer/actor, Scott Elvis, plays the title role of Elvis Presley in Anscombe Production Associates brand-new theatre musical production, ELVIS Las Vegas 1969, at The Woodville in Gravesend.

The production received its world premiere last night, (Friday, April 28) with two performances today at 5pm and 8pm, prior to embarking on a UK Tour before heading to London’s West End in 2018.

ELVIS Las Vegas 1969 is based on the final few hours leading up to Elvis Presley making his return to the stage following years away from live performances making movies.

Act 1: focuses on those tense hours where Elvis was surrounded by his closest and most trusted friends who helped to keep him calm in his preparation for the concert. We see the domineering behaviour of Colonel Tom Parker who ruled over Elvis throughout his career. We see the close friendship that Elvis had with Charlie Hodge and we then witness the sensitive and sometimes awkward relationship that he had with his wife Priscilla. The act 1 script has been carefully crafted by director/writer Gerry Tebbutt working from factual and historical information available from the time.

Act 2: is a replication of the famous concert that took place on July 31 1969 at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in the presence of a star-studded audience. Initially intended to be a one-off concert, it then went on to play over 50 performances at the 2000 seat venue.

Cast includes: Tom Dussek in the role of Colonel Tom Parker. Joe Connors plays Presley’s right hand man and confidant Charlie Hodge and Francesca Peplow, a young and talented graduate actress from GSA takes on the role of Priscilla Presley.

There is a full supporting cast/band of nine actor/musicians making up this company of sixteen players. A truly talented team of actors and musicians bringing this brand-new production to Gravesend for its World Premiere.

The production is directed and written by Gerry Tebbutt, the former head of musical theatre studies at Guildford School of Acting. Gerry brings a wealth of experience to this production as both writer and director and he will be joined by his wife, choreographer Jill Francis.

Set and costume design by Stephen Holroyd, sound design by Marcus Wadland with lighting design by Brian Holt. The story is based on an original idea by Neale Hobday who can also be seen on stage in the production playing bass guitar.


Event: ELVIS Las Vegas 1969

Where: The Woodville, Woodville Place, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1DD

When: Saturday, April 29

Time: 5pm and 8pm

Cost: Tickets £21/£17 concs

To book tickets online, click here:

Tory MP steps down after making homophobic comments to students

Just hours after he is alleged to have made homophobic comments to a class of students, Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner resigns.

Andrew Turner MP
Andrew Turner MP

The Conservative MP, elected to parliament in 2001 allegedly told A-Level politics students at Christ the King College that homosexuality is ‘wrong’ and ‘dangerous to society’. The comments resulted in calls for him to step down, which he has now done.

Mr Turner, said:  “It has been my privilege to serve the people of the Isle of Wight as their MP.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to represent such a beautiful constituency. After 16 years I have come to the decision that it time for a new generation to take up the mantle of representing my fantastic constituents.

“I am grateful for the support I have received from islanders and proud of the record that Conservatives have in delivering for the Island.

“In the forthcoming election I will be supporting the Conservative candidate to ensure the strong and stable leadership of Theresa May is returned to Downing Street.“

Vix Lowthion
Vix Lowthion

Vix Lowthion, Green Party candidate for the Isle of Wight, commented on Turners behaviour, saying: “Andrew Turner was unfit to represent the Isle of Wight and his recent, abhorrent comments left his place in Parliament completely untenable. People here deserves someone who will stand up for them. Today the Green Party announced radical plans to protect LGBT+ refugees, provide decent HIV protection and promote rights for intersex and trans people – that is the kind of politics people in the Isle of Wight need and only the Green Party can offer.”

Ms Lowthion is a teacher on the Isle of Wight and Green Party national education spokesperson

Organisers of the inaugural Isle of Wight Pride, who were the topic of  the convsersation when the remarks were made – have said: “As a group we avoid making political comments, but in the light of the allegations, we are deeply shocked and saddened.

“Any person who makes such a statement in a public forum as our MP is dangerous.

“Suicide rates amongst LGBT young people are still disproportionately high. Mr Turner did not know if anyone in the room was struggling with their Sexuality or Gender identity and he does not know how his comments may impacted on those present.

“There are lots of organisations available to provide support and guidance to LGBT+ young people, including Stonewall and also our own Breakout Youth service.

“Nobody should be told they are a danger to society based on who they love or their Gender identity”.

Mr Turner took the seat in 2015 with 40.7% of the vote, followed by UKIP candidate Iain McKie with 21.2% and Green candidate, Vix Lowthion with 13.4% of the vote.

 

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