Love Me Tender at the New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Review
Love Me Tender
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
24-29 August 2015
Reviewed by Katy Nettleton
What the programme says about the show:
In a small town in 1950’s USA, a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town. Is he The Devil in Disguise or a Hound Dog in his Blue Suede Shoes? The townsfolk are about to be All Shook Up and could be headed for Heartbreak Hotel, but for Natalie, the love-struck, tomboy mechanic, it really is Now or Never.
Packed with 25 of the best loved songs by The King himself, Love Me Tender by the writer of the award-winning West End and Broadway smash hit Memphis, is a funny and moving tale of hope, second chances and the healing qualities of Rock’n’Roll.
Staring Mica Paris, Shaun Williamson, Ben Lewis and Laura Tebbutt.
To summaries the show in four words: a must watch musical!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when going to see this musical/show; I like Elvis music but wouldn’t say I am a “groupie” or that I knew all of his songs; however this really didn’t matter (there were a number of foot tapping, hand clapping songs I was able to sing along to including the classics Love Me Tender, Devil in Disguise (which was hilarious!), it’s Now or Never and even Heartbreak Hotel and Hound Dog) as there was some more modern “pop music” thrown in to keep all audience members singing along.
The storyline was brilliant and interlinked the narrative sections perfectly, the cast were inspiring and made me wish I could sing half as well as them! Mica Paris, as expected is an amazing vocalist which lifted Elvis songs with her soulful tones and the strength of her voice cannot be relayed into words – she makes you speechless and spellbound by the lyrics and music. All the cast had strong voices (I thought Natalie, played by Laura Tebbutt, was just incredible in both acting and singing) and as an ensemble it was breath taking and mouth droopingly good – the chills you got and the volume from a group of voices was amazing. At times I did feel the background music could have been turned down a fraction as it over powered some of the softer songs – where power was not required but expressive, calm voices, however this is a personal thought and as I am not a critic with an educated ear – I just enjoy going to shows and seeing different things!
The audience got involved and was swaying with the music and clapping along (more in the second half) as it was more “humorous” than the first. Which I personally like in a show; after the break (around 1 hour in) I like to take to my seat and be surprised all over again. This show did not disappoint. The cast looked like they were well drilled, but that they were enjoying themselves and having fun (like it was their first show all over again) – and I think if we could all do that each day at work we would all like to be part of the show!
There was reference to Shakespeare – which if I had read the full reviews before I would have realised! Which for me was a good twist, and bringing in different generations of literature in this modern version of history and making me remember reading Shakespeare at school!
The staging was brilliant, and really helped tell the story. The way in which they used the cast to work as props and the different heights made you feel part of the show and forget that you were sat as part of an audience.
The comments from other audience members on the way out where; “goose bumps all the way up my back and arms.” “Amazing, moving, compelling.” “Different.” “Well I would never have thought I would have enjoyed it so much!” “I must tell my friends to come and see this before it moves on.”
I was sat next to a couple of reporters for the local papers, who explained that they were there to “critique” the play and it had them in laughter, and singing along – which they don’t normally do! This was the unanimous response by all and I for one had an amazing evening; the show was brilliant, the venue and staging amazing and staff very helpful and welcoming making me want to go back and watch Hairspray (when its being shown in December as it is the same production team!
Overall 5 out of 5 – and I want to go and see it again!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £14.90 to £50.90 (plus £4 transaction fee).
Love Me Tender is at the New Alexandra Theatre until 29 August 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3011.
New Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
