Elvis Evolution: The Immersive Experience

Saturday July 26, 2025.

First announced back in January 2024, with tickets going on sale in October 2024, when we were about to give up hope of the experience ever happening. Then there was a setback, as one of the contributing companies went under, pushing the opening date back. This resulted in us having to change the dates of our tickets, which wasn't as simple as the website made out. Still, the tickets were swapped and the day had finally arrived.

We arrived at the venue almost forty-five minutes early, as was suggested, and entered the venue, at the Excel Centre.

With complimentary souvenir programme in hand we made our way into 'Bob's Burbank Diner', where we ordered 'Hounddogs' (Beechwood Smoked Pork with French's American Mustard & Ketchup, served with straw potatoes), and a 'Budweiser' to wash them down with. Service was quick and efficient, with the 'dogs' going down a treat.

We then went to the small gift shop, with its eye-watering prices, before exploring the diner. This 1950's style diner has authentic stools, tables and seating, with memorabilia adorning the walls. Retro televisions were set into the wall, showing various news programmes and videos of Elvis in action. This piece of Americana is based on the actual diner that was opposite the NBC Studios, where the '68 Comeback Special was recorded.

As a side note, Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, never released the tickets for the 'special', so the audience was drawn from the diner opposite the studios.

Soon we, the audience, were called to make our way through to the offices of NBC Studios. With little time to take in the decor of the studios, and with photography and filming forbidden, we are suddenly in the midst of the theatrics. An executive appears and begins giving us a briefing on what is happening. Evidently, Elvis is in his dressing room and is refusing to come out, afraid that after seven years of dodgy films he won't be able to sing as he used to.

The executive is joined by another executive, telling her to stall the audience, as they work to get Elvis out of his dressing room. Enter Sam Bell, a childhood friend of Elvis from Tupelo Mississippi. It is through his eyes that the rest of the theatrics are played.

We then leave the NBC Studios and 'board' a train, whisking us back in time to Tupelo, where we meet a young Elvis and Sam. AI-rendered backdrops play on a large screen, taking us through their friendship. Their hopes, aspirations and dreams, while the actors bring certain aspects of their childhood to life. We see them grow, until Sam leaves to join the USAF, while Elvis tries to make it big in Memphis.

We then 'disembarked' from the train and headed into the second bar, lovingly decked out like a Tiki bar in Hawaii. In fact this is the 'Blue Hawaii' bar, where we stop for refreshments. It will be twenty minutes before the theatrics begin again, thus ensuring that the company behind the 'Immersive Experience' can squeeze as much money from its 'audience' as possible.

Soon Sam Bell arrives and, along with the other executives, they announce that Elvis Presley is finally going to leave his dressing room. 

It is at this point we are ushered through some more doors, passing Elvis' dressing room that has been faithfully recreated, but that you can't photograph. Passing through another door we head down some steps and find ourselves in NBC Studio 4, where the '68 Comeback Special will be broadcast live, in an NBC first.

While those with VIP tickets take seats, higher up and central in the studio, the rest of us stand before the stage, in what I believe is a better viewing spot. 

Three musicians then take to the stage, wearing outfits closely resembling those worn by the musicians on the night, before restored footage of the '68 Comeback Special is displayed on a giant screen, They play a medley of Elvis hits that include Blue Suede Shoes and Jailhouse Rock. The screen then went black and the musicians had a jamming session, while the various cast members took to the stage.

Then the screen bursts into life, one more time, as the original footage of Elvis singing 'If I Can Dream' plays, in an emotional send off.

This is followed by the report that Elvis has died, followed by interviews with Sir Elton John, Keith Richards and Sam Bell, among others. For me, this part was completely unnecessary as it brought everyone's joy plummeting back down to Earth.

With the lights turned up we head out of Studio 4 and enter the after party bar, where a DJ plays Elvis hits, when the live band are on their break. There is no limit to how much time you spend in the 'All Shook Up' after party bar, staying until the experience closes, if you so wish. 

We stayed for a few drinks and soaked up the atmosphere, before we headed for the exit.

So, was it worth it?

In a word... No. It was an experience that I have no wish to repeat and feel that this would have been better as a theatrical production, on a West End stage.

Much was made in the lead-up that artificial intelligence, augmented reality, holograms, sensory immersion and soundscapes would be used to 'experience Elvis like never before'. However, the holographic projection ideas were dropped early on in the development of the experience, which I don't think would have helped.

Considering the effort put into recreating the NBC Studios offices and Elvis Presley's dressing room, it would have been nice to have been allowed to take some photographs, too.

Arriving, as suggested, forty-five minutes before your entry time is purely a ploy to get you to spend money in the diner. 

The Blue Hawaii Tiki bar, where the experience stops for twenty minutes, is another way to get you to spend money, as this is purely a holding area.

As for the 'All Shook Up' after party bar, although it was nice to mingle with other Elvis fans and discuss the day, the live band played more than just Elvis, make to the annoyance of some of the fans. The prices here were expensive, too, which is why they want you stay as long as you wish.

The only highlight, for me, was the main event of the '68 Comeback Special footage, with the live musicians, which, considering this is the main hook of the experience, is so short as to be a non-event. Seeing Elvis on the big screen, singing 'If I Can Dream' was an amazing moment, too.

There is nothing within the experience that is groundbreaking or revelatory, so it is unlikely that any fan of Elvis will learn something new.

Also, its 110 minute duration drags, at times, as the 'journey' through the 'experience' is disjointed and lacks flow.

I now understand why the company, Layered Reality, has come under attack in the press and on social media, in the last few days. I can also understand why some ticket holders are not happy, as this is not how the experience was advertised. But, I can't fault the actors, who obviously put everything into their roles, especially the actor who plays Sam Bell. Their costumes are period specific, adding to the timeline.

STANDARD TICKET + AFTER PARTY ACCESS - £75 (this includes a £7 booking fee!)

which did come with a free souvenir programme, on my visit.

BURNING LOVE VIP + AFTER PARTY ACCESS - £180 (this includes a £7 booking fee!) 

Dedicated VIP seating within the '68 Special. A drink in the pre-show diner, the interval Blue Hawaii bar and at the 'All Shook Up' After Party. Exclusive Elvis Evolution poster. Souvenir photo with Elvis. Complimentary cloakroom VIP collectable ticket.

IF I CAN DREAM SUPER VIP + AFTER PARTY ACCESS - £300 (this includes a £7 booking fee!) Exclusive, mid-show Champagne Experience. Commemorative Elvis Evolution glass. Dedicated VIP seating within the '68 Special. Dedicated VIP seating at the 'All Shook Up' After Party Bar. A drink in the pre-show diner, the interval Blue Hawaii bar and at the 'All Shook Up' After Party. Limited edition Elvis Evolution poster. Free souvenir photo with Elvis. Complimentary cloakroom VIP collectable ticket. Elvis Evolution Programme. Exclusive piece of Elvis Evolution merchandise (with retail value of over £100).

Elvis Evolution: The Immersive Experience runs from July 18 to December 28, 2025.

Elvis Evolution