Tuesday 24 October 2023

EVENT REVIEW: Direct From Graceland: Elvis - The Arches, London.


I must be one of the luckiest people in London. Attending a press night preview of 'Direct From Graceland: Elvis', is the most exciting thing I have done all year. I love Elvis and his music due to being the daughter of one of Elvis’ biggest fans. This is something my mother would have loved to experience, and I wish she were still here to see this exhibition. As I walked round, I could imagine her feeling of wonder and admiration at some of these rarely seen exhibits.

It is hard to believe that we could have this fantastic display of Elvis artefacts here in London. I hope that anyone in the UK who is interested in Elvis makes it down to London Bridge because this is the largest amount of Elvis Presley’s personal belongings ever seen outside of Graceland. We are so very privileged to see his cars, costumes, posters and photos and so much more first hand. It has certainly blown my mind. I could have happily stayed there for hours and just listened to Elvis’ tracks as you walk around. It’s hard to know what is best to do as I used the audio guide, which leads you around all the visuals with commentary, meanwhile the music plays out everywhere and I would have been happy enough to walk round at my pace and just listen to Elvis’ amazing voice.

I have taken so many photos this evening, as visually the exhibition is outstanding, and I want to remember it all. Elvis was able to dress the part of a superstar and look a million dollars. He was definitely one of the most beautiful men and seeing him projected onto the walls just highlights his star quality. So many of his well-known Las Vegas and Hawaiian stage costumes are displayed here and they are gorgeous in their own right; all of those white flared jumpsuits, spangled with rhinestones and embroidery. The studded white cape that he frequently wore on stage looks magnificent in real life and is as famous as the man himself. The gold suit with sequinned lapels is not as shiny as the original photos look, but achieves that ‘over the top’ effect that Colonel Parker wanted in all of these outfits. It was he that orchestrated the "Las Vegas Stage Elvis" with these outlandish costumes. Who else could get away with wearing these outfits and not be ridiculed? It was good to see a display of Elvis’ own clothes that he would wear at home casually reflecting the era of the 1950's and 1960's, to make you realise that for all the showmanship, he really was just an American guy. Looking at all of his normal life mementoes and Lisa-Marie’s baby clothes, you need to put into perspective that deep down he wanted a normal family life despite the drink, drugs and girls.

Also, on display here we see Elvis’ black Ferrari, his red MG (probably my favourite having owned an MG sportscar myself which was nowhere near as pristine as this one). His TCB three-seater custom super-trike was here as well. Thank you, Graceland, for allowing us to borrow these vehicles for the exhibition, it really helps to set up the story of the man and not the myth. It was amazing to see an example of the first mobile phone prototype: albeit in a small suitcase with the instructions written out to make it easy for Elvis to use it. Having never made it to the UK for a concert, due to Colonel Parker’s lack of passport and total control, it is so special to have Elvis’ personal possessions to almost conjure up the man himself.

As you walk around, along with the ever-changing music; Elvis does have a large collection of songs, there are photos and projections all over the walls, with clips from his many films. He is everywhere, 360 degrees, keep looking around in case you miss anything. If there were seats, I could have just sat down in the middle of the exhibition and allowed it to permeate my whole being. I am a real music fan and so many of my heroes justify their roots back to Elvis. Without Elvis, youth culture and pop music would have been very different over the last seventy years, and this shows you just how important and influential he was. His style, his personality and his music will live on, and people will continue to be fascinated with him.

As you leave, there is a nod towards Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis trough a display of four of the costumes from the film. Incredulously, almost identical to the original and barely any difference in body sizes. When we think that Elvis was credited as being an overweight and bloated man in his early forties, just before his sad and untimely death, his clothes tell a different story. Yes, his face was puffy, but his body was not as changed as the media would have you believe. That black leather two piece that makes both Elvis and Butler look their most physically attractive waves you goodbye. Both performers portrayed on the wall side by side as you leave. The King of Rock and Roll lives!

The exhibition prices are £31.65per adult and absolutely worth every penny. I’d love to go back and I will promote this to everyone I know. I couldn’t leave the exhibition without a visit to the shop to buy a few items either. Elvis will be joining my wall this weekend.

The Arches at London Bridge, backing onto Bermondsey is a fantastic location and has a lovely compact coffee space inside. Currently there are lots of available slots, but once the word is out about how special Direct From Graceland is, it will be busy. I am sure our wonderful American tourists will also find their way here as there are plenty of never-before-seen personal belongings.

Reviewer - Penny Curran


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