Elvis Presley returns: AI-powered hologram live show coming to London stage
4 January 2024, 09:52
Elvis movie: Austin Butler and Baz Luhrmann discuss the King's music and legacy
The Return of the King (sort of).
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Elvis Presley never once played a live show outside of North America, thanks in part to the control of his manager Colonel Tom Parker.
The King's tragic death in 1977 meant that can never change, but London is set to host the closest possible thing to an Elvis Presley concert in the 21st century, with a new AI-powered hologram.
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British immersive entertainment company Layered Reality has bought the global rights for the concert, which will launch at an as-yet unconfirmed central London venue in November 2024.
The Elvis Evolution experience will then move to other "global cities", with the BBC reporting that it will play out in Las Vegas, Berlin and Tokyo.
"The show peaks with a concert experience that will recreate the seismic impact of seeing Elvis live for a whole new generation of fans, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy," the company said.
"A life size digital Elvis will share his most iconic songs and moves for the very first time on a UK stage.
"All thanks to Layered Reality's unique blend of technology, augmented reality, theatre, projection and multi-sensory effects."
The experience – a very different proposition to ABBA's Voyage ABBA-tars – also includes what is being dubbed a "personal invite to the After Party".
Layered Reality has a proven record with its immersive experiences, having previously created productions of The War of the Worlds and The Gunpowder Plot.
Ticket prices for the Elvis Evolution experience are yet to be announced, but Layered Reality's The War of the Worlds show is priced from £45 to £82 with VIP from £120, and The Gunpowder Plot is priced from £40-£70, with VIP from £90.
