Elvis was in Sutton last week; well not quite, but a new musical produced by Bryan Blackie and Doreen Smith and choreographed by Alison Waters, and accompanied by the six-strong band featuring a two-hour selection of the King's legendary songs.

The Northern premiere took place in Sutton Village Hall to much local acclaim.

Andy Steele, a blond Elvis known as Chad, opened the show revealing a strong singing voice of considerable range.His command of the stage was less assured, though he paid all the expected attention to his hair and sartorial appearance.

More naturally at ease was eager sidekick Dennis, sensitively played by Christopher Dixon who brought the house down with the hit of the evening It Hurts Me.

Revolving round them were a host of admirers, younger and older: the girls played by Alex Blackie, Emma-Jane Waters, Jacqui Thompson, Alison Waters and Jo Beetham; the gentlemen Bryan Blackie, Laurence Lorriman and Alan Senior; all to have their lives changed generally for the better, this being a musical.

The Elvis magic lives on; whether what the enterprising Sutton Amateurs started, only time will tell.

John Pettitt