Considering many Elvis fans are like myself either in their sixties or older, seating for two of the three stages was very limited, the top ticket prices are £300, I believe you're entitled to a seat in all areas for that price, but in all honesty if I'd paid £600 for two tickets I'd be feeling ripped off..
DW
Daniel W.
Balanced and honest view
So I am writing this review more for the benefit of the staff we met at the show than anything else. Pretty much everybody we met were trying their best to keep "the show must go on" front and centre....but you could see (and we spoke with a couple who agreed) that they felt as betrayed and let down by the organisers of this event as the majority of customers did. The actors and band were excellent, and if the show had been correctly marketed and sold then I think they would be looking at a lot more positive reviews for their creative efforts and talent. It's just not fair for an organiser to put people in this position and leave them to pick up the pieces and deal with the angry, and sometimes physically agressive mob that results.
We first booked tickets waaaay back when it was on sale, and at this point it was billed as a " hologramatic experience like no other" or words to that effect. Now I am not a huge Elvis fan but my 82 year old mother is and the thought of being able to see this was impossible for her to resist, so she asked me to book two VIP tickets (£180 each) and for me to take her down there which of course I was thrilled to be able to do.
First of all the event was delayed on a couple of occasions - these things happen of course- and during this time my mother became very ill, however thankfully she was still around and was really looking forward to the event finally happening in the summer of this year. I am not exaggerating to say that I think the fact she had this to look forward to actually really helped her through some really tough and dark times during 2024 and early 2025. Mum is still here I am pleased to say but remains really upset and annoyed at how she has been taken advantage of.
The main problem I have with the whole debacle is that it was NEVER made clear to us that anything had changed from the first ticket release and the point at which we paid for the VIP tickets. I have seen people suggesting that it was in fact stated but this is not my view on it, and if the organisers had decided to clearly point this out it would have meant people's expectations of what they had purchased would have been much more aligned to what was delivered this year. I can only assume that the organisers chose not to do this assuming that at this point a lot of people would have asked for their money back and the event would have either had to be cancelled altogether or would have had a large hole to fill.
When the event was delayed we were basically just asked to re-book for one of the future dates and nothing about any changes to the planned composition of the event was provided.
This decision is ultimately what has led to my mothers, my and an awful lot of other peoples anger at the way they have been misled and deceived.
Sadly I have little or no (actually none) faith in the legal or consumer protection system in this country being able to right this wrong. Unfortunately like with insurance claims and a lot of crime the victims are led a merry dance with almost zero chance of the perpetrators ever being held to account.
Would I (or my mother) have bought tickets to this event? Probably yes. Would she have paid £180 for VIP tickets. Probably not, as the value was justifiable only if the technology and promises had been upheld. I also agreed that the difference between VIP and standard did not warrant the additional cost of the higher tier tickets. Everyone is basically herded around together and you just get some separate seating areas in some locations and an extra drink or two inclusive.
All in all I think the organisers should be ashamed and if they had a moral compass would offer to do something about this..... but of course we all know this will never happen and I am sure they will be left in business to possibly carry out something similar again in the future. I for one will never visit anything else marketed by Layered Reality....or anything backed by Mr McGuinness and I would encourage anyone else to do the same.
To the actors and staff - I tip my hat to you. In the face of all of the above you kept smiling and made the best of it. I hope your future efforts receive the accolades and appreciation that you were robbed of at EE.
ET
Eleanor T.
Not good Value!
Visited this Elvis 'immersive experience' with my 79 year old mum who is a great Elvis fan. We purchased the standard tickets at launch when there were not yet reviews! In fact, we were supposed to visit before the delayed launch. Launch was delayed because the experience was not ready so we thought it would be really special once completed.
The experience is divided into broadly 3 sections. Without going into great detail only the last section is quite good. Here footage of Elvis has been enhanced and he is shown on screen while a live band play along live.
Parts 1 and 2 were a bit laughable (cheesy) at parts.
The actors (4) and live band (3) were good. But, the whole experience was missing energy apart from the last 25 minute section. I knew a hologram was not part of the show anymore but heard other visitors expecting one.
The 'After Party' is a solo singer with 2 band members playing 'Elvis' inspired music. Again, the experience was missing the rock n roll vibe and energy, not helped as most visitors were not very happy.
Not worth the standard ticket price and definitely robbery for the 2 tiers of premium tickets. From what I could see they got a blue coloured drink at the interval and seating (as opposed to standing) for a couple of parts.
Food available to purchase at the he end was ok, not amazing but not disappointing as the actual immersive experience. We had burgers.
RF
Rosamond F.
Don’t bother with this experience
Just been to this experience today, I bought the ticket for my son-in-laws Christmas present but we were very disappointed. I’m afraid we agree with all the other posts it was nothing special and just an opportunity to take money off you at every opportunity.
Don’t spend your money on this experience, there is nothing here you can’t see on TV!
RW
Ruth W.
This is a show, not a concert
Elvis Evolution was marketted as an Immersive trip with a concert of Elvis as a hologram. I now understand that there is no hologram.
Unfortunately for me, I am quite short so had restricted view for the duration. The event is split in two halves. The first half is a church / train view but I was unable to see the stage or accompanying movie back drop owing to the people sat in front of me simply being taller and blocking my view. The second half is the concert... Again I had restricted view owing to people stood in front of me. There is no Elvis. No Hologrram and no actor. Just a video screen of Elvis in the background and some musicians who accompanied Elvis.
The show itself is well put together and delivered but it is definitely not what is marketed so attending audience is left disappointed and deflated. The show in terms of value for money does not meet expectations.
I think I would have ben happier if I could see the show with a clear view but did not expect a restricted view throughout. The actors are great and did their parts well, it was just the delivery of the show v what was marketed.
LS
L S.
Elvis Evolution
Elvis Evolution – Hugely Disappointing, Not Worth the Money
We attended Elvis Evolution last night and sadly, it was a huge letdown from start to finish. We went in with the expectation that we’d be seeing a live or holographic experience of Elvis, but the reality was far from it.
From the beginning, we were ushered into a room with no explanation of what to expect. Instead of Elvis, the focus was bizarrely on a group of woodenly-acted characters playing his childhood friends and a production crew. This wasn’t what we’d come for.
In the second scene, set in a “train carriage,” the audience was split in two. We couldn’t even see half the stage—just hear voices. After that, we were led to a Hawaiian-themed bar. Still no Elvis. Just more actors.
Then came a front room setting—this time with no actors at all, and still no Elvis.
Finally, we entered a theatre, and at last, we saw Elvis—on a screen. The energy picked up, but was quickly spoiled by the return of the “friend” actor. When he interrupted the music again, someone in the audience shouted for him to “shut up”—and he actually walked off. The music resumed, but then paused again before eventually restarting. That brief moment was the only real highlight.
We were then taken to a bar for an “after party,” which was just a few more songs before the bar closed around 10pm.
The first two scenes were appalling, and the whole experience felt disjointed, underwhelming, and certainly not worth the VIP price. I booked this as a treat for my mum and came away genuinely embarrassed and disappointed. Honestly, I wouldn’t attend this show again even if it were free.
Don’t waste your money.