An Elvis Presley production theatre show has begun rehearsals in Great Yarmouth ahead of a string of summer shows.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: From left to right: Pete Cattee - guitar, Sue Campbell-Bannerman - backing vocals, 'Drummer Andy', Andy Otley - Elvis, Tina Page - backing vocals, Kevin Hartnett - keyboard/musical director, Richie Raymond - bass. Picture: Jacob MasseyFrom left to right: Pete Cattee - guitar, Sue Campbell-Bannerman - backing vocals, 'Drummer Andy', Andy Otley - Elvis, Tina Page - backing vocals, Kevin Hartnett - keyboard/musical director, Richie Raymond - bass. Picture: Jacob Massey (Image: Archant)

The Vegas Band has previously performed with contracted musicians but the group is now fully formed with permanent members, including two backing singers and a brass section.

Andy Otley performs solo as an Elvis tribute and has won The Kings Crown Award for Elvis tributes. He also reached the finals of the European Elvis Championships at the first time of asking, however, playing with a full band was always on his mind.

He said: “Playing with a full band is the ultimate; live music - you can’t beat it.”

During the hunt for band members in Great Yarmouth, manager Andy Sexton accidentally knocked on the wrong door. This door just so happened to belong to Richie Raymond, a bass player who is good friends with Jerry Scheff, who used to play bass with The King himself, Elvis Presley - a twist of fate that even they viewed with a suspicious mind.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: An Elvis production theatre show has formed in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Jacob MasseyAn Elvis production theatre show has formed in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Jacob Massey (Image: Archant)

From that point onwards there was a little less conversation and a little more action, with Mr Raymond joining the production and hosting rehearsals in his front room.

Mr Otley said there is a misconception about the age of Elvis fans and a burning love for his music has been handed down the generations.

“His music lives on, it will never die. He was an absolute one off. I see it now, in gigs the audience is getting younger and younger.”

Indeed, Mr Sexton admits he was worried when Mr Otley was booked for a show at the UEA, but it seems audiences can’t help falling in love with the show.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: An Elvis production theatre show has formed in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Jacob MasseyAn Elvis production theatre show has formed in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Jacob Massey (Image: Archant)

Mr Sexton said: “It ended up being possibly the best show we’ve ever done, everyone really got into it.

“He sings all the hits, as well as more obscure songs. Plus, with the full band it is quite a sound.”

The Elvis The Man The Legend Show will be playing Wymondham Central Hall on May 26, Fisher Theatre in Bungay on July 14, Ocean Room in Gorleston on August 11 and The Talk in Norwich on September 15.

Tickets for the Wymondham show are available from legendpromotions61@gmail.com, all others are available through the respective theatres.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: An Elvis production theatre show has formed in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Jacob MasseyAn Elvis production theatre show has formed in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Jacob Massey (Image: Archant)