
Fans slam 'atrocious' immersive Elvis Presley show with tickets up to £300
Elvis Evolution was announced in January 2024 with a life-sized, digital Elvis as its golden ticket item which would perform 'iconic moments in musical history on a UK stage for the first time'.
The show also claimed it would use the smells and weather of Memphis to fully 'immerse' guests in the experience.
Creator Andrew McGuinness of Layered Reality promised at the time that 'intricate sets' would help make ticketholders 'feel like you've time travelled' – but punters now beg to differ.
Elvis Evolution officially opened on July 18, with tickets priced from £75 to £300 for the super VIP experience, including booking fees.
However, some who have already attended the event have felt let down as there is no Elvis hologram after all.
They instead described the show as 'absolutely atrocious', with Tracey Baldwin telling the BBC that 'you could have seen this at the local theatre for £30'.
'It was a shambles from start to finish, there was no Elvis, it was just a video of him that you could watch on YouTube,' she added, claiming that disappointed ticketholders left the show early.
She also said she felt that Layered Reality had been unfair to older fans and 'taken us for a fool by scamming us with technology that we won't understand'.
'A small number of people have pointed out that they were expecting a hologram concert, due to the initial announcement made in January 2024. As with many complex productions that are two years in the making, the concept developed from those early stages, and this was made clear when tickets went on sale in October 2024,' a spokesperson for Layered Reality told the outlet.
A Metro piece discussing Elvis Evolution with its creators ahead of tickets going on sale did not mention the Elvis hologram teased months earlier, with the team instead focusing on discussing its 'deeply personal and interactive format' and promising it would be 'a memory-making experience'.
The spokesperson continued: 'We ultimately took the creative decision not to mimic Elvis's performances. Those moments proved to be too iconic and irreplaceable. Instead, we use AI to upscale archive footage and in moments we know happened but where no footage existed, offering a new lens into his world.'
They also said the show has been praised by fans and they had been 'overwhelmed by the feedback, with many describing it as fun, immersive and unlike anything they've seen before', according to the publication.
There is no mention of any Elvis hologram on the experience's website. Rather it mentions that Elvis Evolution 'will use generative AI to deliver intimate moments, giving you exclusive glimpses behind the scenes, at never seen before moments in Elvis' history'.
It also claims the show uses 'groundbreaking digital techniques to bring the musical icon to life' and points to a partnership with the custodians of the Presley estate, which allowed access to personal photos and home-videos.
According to those who have seen Elvis Evolution, live actors playing different characters guide guests through the King's childhood and friendship with Sam Bell, as well as his career, in various themed locations, including a train carriage and a diner.
After an interval in a Hawaii-themed bar – complete with an Elvis cardboard cut-out for photo opportunities – ticketholders are then taken through to experience the King's 1968 comeback special concert broadcast on NBC as audience members.
Superfans Linzi Naldrett and Zoe Finch described the show as 'bizarre' and said that there was 'nothing in it that you've not seen before' if you're an Elvis fan.
Linzi also questioned where the 'AI immersive aspect came into it', saying of the grand final recreation: 'All it is is a projection on the back wall of the 1968 show, which you can buy on DVD or watch on iPlayer.'
Musicians also play live alongside the concert footage, according to photos from the event, as well as another separate band during the experience.
Skipping out on the included afterparty, she added to The Daily Star: 'At one point, I just had second hand embarrassment for the actors dancing and there was [sic.] a few young girls in tears of laughter at how awkward it all was.'
Elvis Evolution has also been met with mixed professional reviews, with The Telegraph awarding it just one star and slamming its 'limp and indifferent offerings' and 'underwhelming' partial recreation of the 1968 special, saying it is 'not worth a tenth of the price'.
However, TimeOut gave it three stars and called it 'a slick affair, heartfelt in its admiration for The King' even if comes with 'a difficult-to-defend ticket price'.
Critic Andrzej Łukowski revealed in a tweet alongside his review that people in his show's audience were 'actively booing it' although he felt it was 'actually basically fine, but still it probably needs a rethink'.
CityAM went one step further, awarding the show four stars and calling the experience 'incredibly touching'. More Trending
The breadth of reaction continued on social media too, with @bigboyb on X tweeting: 'Awful from start to finish. Felt like a GCSE performance on a shoestring budget.'
But according to the BBC some ticketholders on Facebook praised the experience as 'well-acted, innovative, exciting and a whole lot of fun', and another added that 'the majority of people were having fun'.
Elvis Evolution is at Immerse LDN at the Excel London and is currently scheduled to end on December 28.
Metro has contacted Layered Reality for further comment.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Gang lures celebrity barber to London with honey trap to steal £500,000 in crypto
MORE: Man guilty of murdering couple before dumping remains near Clifton Suspension Bridge
MORE: Major disruption at London Waterloo to last well beyond afternoon rush hour

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
25 minutes ago
- Metro
Katie Price reveals painful side effects of her bum filler
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Katie Price has been suffering sleepless nights due to 'pain and inflammation' after having filler injected into her bum. The 47-year-old former glamour model revealed she had undergone treatment on her behind earlier this week, and it's left her feeling 'a bit uncomfortable' while she's also struggling when she sits down or tries to walk. To cope with the pain, the Mucky Mansion star says she's been taking CBD oil, which has been making her feel better. In a video posted on Instagram, Katie explained: 'Bum filler update … I had my bum done two days ago and I've been feeling a bit uncomfortable in that area. 'So I've been taking this today to help with the pain and inflammation, and at night sleeping. So it's been my best friend.' She said that it had been a 'godsend' amid her latest surgery following a tricky train journey. The former I'm A Celebrity star continued: 'I know I'm going to have a good night's sleep again tonight cause I'm going to put some drops in it and remember when you order this shake it loads before taking it. And thank you for all your messages … 'So yeah, this has been a godsend because I got the train up and where I'm sitting on my bum walking, and all of this, this has been a godsend, CBD oil all the way. Love it, love it, love it.' Katie added in the caption: 'I've been so busy recently that I have been taking my oil out and about with me in my bag for if I get anxious or if I need to take a second to myself and calm down. 'Also it has been a massive help with the bum filler! I definitely do feel more comfortable after taking it and I sleep better.' She flaunted her brand new bum during a trip to Dubai, strolling across the beach in a tiny yellow bikini. Katie previously opened up about her bum filler treatment in a post on social media, revealing she preferred the injections to having a more invasive Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), which involves having a general anesthetic. She explained: 'I'm having filler done in my lips, not too much though, and having my bum done … 'See if I had a BBL in Turkey, they'd put me to sleep, and it's more dangerous cause they use your own fat, and this is just filler, and I'm here for an hour and a half and go back home and carry on with my day.' More Trending It comes after the reality TV star left fans disappointed after pulling out of another public appearance at the last moment. Katie was scheduled to appear at Glasgow Pride, but cancelled hours before she was set to hit the stage due to another 'urgent obligation.' This comes only weeks after she and former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona also backed out of headlining Barnsley Pride. The reality TV pals had been scheduled to appear together at the event, but cancelled due to 'unforeseen circumstances' and 'personal reasons,' respectively. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Is this the new 'Circle of Shame' in 2025? MORE: Mum stuck in Turkey 'could lose entire breast' after botched boob job MORE: Katie Price slams 'pathetic' ex Peter Andre after being banned from daughter's birthday


Daily Record
25 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Tamzin Outhwaite reveals her eldest child is transgender and admits she regrets her reaction
EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite shares her two kids, Flo, 17 and Marine, 12, with ex-husband Tom Ellis. Tamzin Outhwaite has announced that her eldest child is transgender. The EastEnders star confessed she was 'distressed' when Flo first came out seven years ago, but now has no problem in saying she has a son and a daughter rather than two daughters. The 54-year-old soap star, who played Mel Owen in the BBC soap, said she wishes she could go back and change her initial reaction to the news. Tamzin said she found things difficult at first and she and Flo both went to family therapy to help work through it. She said: "The way I reacted at the very beginning I would love to change because I think until you're going through it yourself with your child it's very difficult to judge other people or to judge a situation because you don't expect that to happen to you or your child. "What I did initially, I was like 'don't be ridiculous', I didn't say don't be ridiculous but my mind went to 'that's ludicrous' and working back from that to talking through it" Outhwaite shares her two kids, Flo, 17, and Marnie, 12, with fellow actor Tom Ellis who she divorced in 2014, the Mirror reports. Speaking on the Parenting Hell podcast, she said: "I've got two kids and I did have two daughters and now I have a son and a daughter and that's quite easy for me to to say now but it wasn't maybe six or seven years ago. "We live in a very happy household now, full of jokes, and it's my favourite place to be at home. "You know they say that as a mum, probably as a parent, that you're only ever as happy and your unhappiest child and so with that in mind we have had some pretty unhappy years. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Now we're in a really wonderful place as a family, Flo is in a wonderful place as a brilliant actor, singer, writer, director in his sixth form at school, and Marnie is thriving. "So instead of just trying to get through difficult times we are now all thriving and the relief and joy is very tangible." She continued: "It was about when Flo was about 10 or 11 and the maddest thing is, I suppose, is that it's not the most interesting thing about him. "He's an incredible, incredibly funny, intelligent boy and I'm watching him grow into a wonderful human who's very talented and to see him thriving is just nothing but relief and joy for me really because there was some dark times." "Fab bit of family therapy, therapy on Flo's side so Flo was doing therapy as well. Speaking to other people and realising you weren't alone was a really, really helpful thing... "I became almost like a padded cell around Flo, almost going 'it's okay whatever you want, you want to do this, you want to do that, it's all okay', because I think if you push back on a kid they're going to want to do the opposite of what their parent says so I made everything a possibility. "I didn't say you can't be that but it was a very distressing time." Tamzin also explained that whilst her six year old understood the change very quickly, she was worried about the 'wrath' of her father who is now also fully supportive. She said: "Marnie has been the most insightful about all of it because it's constantly, from pretty much day one when Marnie was six years old has said 'this is my brother Flo'. "Flo has many nicknames at school, all sorts of different things, all of the kids are so accepting of everything but I think they're much more understanding. "Whereas obviously there was a time, my dad's brilliant now and on board, but there was a time where I didn't want Flo to have the wrath of what my dad had to say about the whole thing."


BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
The Ballad of Big Mags - a new podcast series to tell the inside story of controversial community leader and crime chief, Mags Haney
A new BBC Scotland podcast series - The Ballad of Big Mags - will explore the life and times of a controversial figure who rose to prominence in the late 90s. Margaret Haney from the Raploch estate in Stirling grabbed the headlines in 1997 as a self-styled anti-paedophile campaigner. The media couldn't get enough of her, and she revelled in the attention - but the high-profile coverage of 'Big Mags' as a protector of the community would eventually lead to her downfall. Dark secrets lay behind the banner headlines because Margaret Haney was in fact the head of a notorious criminal gang while claiming she "just wanted to help folk" in the community. Over 20 years later she still divides opinion, and, in this series, award-winning journalist Myles Bonnar reveals new insights as he speaks to people closely connected to her and intimately involved in the astonishing series of events that took place in the late 90s and early 2000s. He also delves deep into the BBC archives to tell the definitive story of the woman known as 'Big Mags'. Myles said: "Mags Haney's rise to prominence and her dramatic fall after revelations of her criminal activities, was a story which played out in the media over years. "The series not only examines her contradictory life but also wider issues of mob justice, community dynamics, poverty, and the creation of the so-called media personality. "Many people only partially know the story of this controversial figure and this series will give a full account of how she rose to fame and became a source of fascination to the media and public before her criminal life was exposed." The six-part series will be available on BBC Sounds from Friday 8 August JG2