The 2024 Melbourne International Elvis Festival staged at the National Theatre in St Kilda offers a 3-hour-long time capsule, transporting Elvis fans back to the pinnacle era of star-studded rock n’ roll. The show is performed by five Elvis tribute artists descending on Melbourne from around the globe, each offering a unique portrayal of the dazzling American icon.
Moses Snow opened the production with vibrant charisma and a youthful glow symbolic of the early success of Elvis. Snow staged choreography unparalleled to any other performer of the night and invigorated the theater with his electric spirit. Snow aptly included “Blue Suede Shoes” in his set, which ultimately became one of the most memorable numbers of the night, and prepared the audience for further exhilaration.
Ted Torres closed the first act with a medley of songs derived from the 1968 ‘Comeback Special’. Torres performed a vocally powerful act, though the high number of hits performed was somewhat disproportionate to his crowd interaction resulting in a slight lack of connection. The artist radiated Elvis best in his ballad covers of ‘Memories’ and ‘If I Can Dream’.
Opening the second act was star-studded, all-round performer Jay Dupuis. Dupuis is the winner of several Elvis tribute accolades and is recognized as Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist World Champion. Such distinguished achievements were on full display throughout his set, with highlights including “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and “In The Ghetto”.
Dupuis is adorned with a natural ability to charm and tease the audience, with impeccable improvisational ability to allure crowd members and create a genuinely magnetic experience. Dupuis was the first act of the night to hand out scarves as Elvis did throughout the 1970s, making him an instant fan favorite.
Bruno Nesci performed an enjoyable set with clear confidence and conviction as Canada’s first performer to make it to the Top 5 in the Ultimate Elvis Contest. Nesci conveyed genuine interest in his Melbourne audience and mastered the art of creating interpersonal connections through dialogue. “You Gave Me A Mountain” was particularly memorable for his strong vocal abilities and commitment to the iconic aura of Elvis.
David Lee closed the production with everlasting energy, impressing audiences with his ability to sustain momentum toward the end of the third hour. Lee candidly introduced his wife to the audience before memorably performing “Can’t Help Falling In Love”.
Overall, the show had moments of awe, excitement, and charm, but ultimately ran past its prime, and could have benefited from each artist performing a slightly shorter set. A curtain call of all performers would have worked well to increase the feel of a well-rounded Elvis tribute rather than encourage a comparative analysis of each performer. The show was also let down in part by inconsistencies in sound and lighting. A strange faltering light frequently distracted the show and microphone audio issues caused hassle for the performers, provoking ongoing rambling from the audience.
Besides some shortcomings, what was most special about the show was witnessing such commitment to the aura of Elvis, which embodied connection, charm, and seduction of the female gaze. The show overall had moments of genuine joy and lust which so wonderfully opened the world of Elvis to younger audiences, and celebrated the remembrance of fond memories for long-time fans.
This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.
