Elvis Presley “cloning” is big business. Look-alikes pop up regularly in shows, competitions and recordings worldwide and I doubt whether any other star – apart from Satchmo or Frank Sinatra – is imitated as often as Elvis Presley. There is also a vast group of people who will not accept that he is dead and `sightings’ of the “King of Rock” are another regular occurrence!

Benedict Productions in collaboration with Entertainment Projects have put together an entertaining, glitzy and fast-moving tribute to Elvis Presley with The Elvis Las Vegas Extravaganza! Currently running in the Playhouse Opera during its Durban season which runs until December 30, it features Amra-Faye and Carl Benedict. It’s a visually stunning production designed by Andrew Botha (who also directs) that makes full use of the Opera’s considerable facilities in terms of lighting and set presentation, something Durban audiences have missed since this production team launched their Queen at the Opera series.

Carl Benedict certainly has the voice timbre to suit the part, the same youthful disarming smile and a profile uncannily like Elvis’s. In numbers like Amazing Grace, I Just Can’t Help Believing, Hound Dog and Blue Suede Shoes, he can certainly belt out a song in true Presley fashion and his rousing Jailhouse Rock and Amazing Grace were winners. Unfortunately, he lacks the brooding and searching intensity needed to do true justice to the slower, reflective numbers like Love Me Tender and Can’t Help Falling in Love. My English ear also had a problem with his invitation in It’s Now or Never to “Come ‘old me tight”.

Whenever Amra-Faye is on stage, things positively sizzle! Glamorous, gorgeous, leggy and elegant, this ultra-professional with her wide, genuine smile steals the show. Whether dressed in red sequins and a chiffon skirt, a yellow and black skirt with layers of petticoat, a silver mini or a glorious black and white ballgown, she’s a feast for the eye. Fever was a showstopper with magnificent black and red ostrich feather fans used to good effect.

Supporting Amra-Faye and Carl Benedict are six singers, Matt Stern (also Carl Benedict’s understudy), Catherine Daymond, Nokukhanya Dlamini, K Timothy Moloi, Anneke Visagie and Chris de Bruin While they all have a chance to show their individual style – and collectively sounded particularly good in The Wonder of You - the one to watch is Catherine Daymond whose performance shines above the rest.

Individuality is also a strong characteristic of the dance group. Unlike the slick and character-less Barbie and Ken clones all too often seen in productions of this sort Dionne Lochner, Caval Marthinussen, Ged Parker, Vanessa Schneider, Karen Taruttis and Liesel Jean Waterson are all “real” people and Jill Somers choreography is funky, fun and full of spirit.

Musical Director Seranti Reeders has also put together a fine band with Nick Carter, Trevor Don Jeany, Bruce Wallace, Marius Appelgren, Christopher Luke, Jasper Cook and Brian Thusi.

Energy there is a-plenty - sometimes too much - and certain numbers could well do without accompanying choreography, particularly in the first half of the show which seemed to race into the fast lane in top gear and stay there. I could have done with a few quieter moments, to cleanse the palate, as it were, before being launched into the next up-beat number. However, all was forgiven in the second half when Amra-Faye placed in a single spotlight gave a mesmerising rendition of Are you Lonesome Tonight?

I’m still not sure why the show opened to Richard Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra (the theme from 2001: a Space Odyssey). It’s a stirring and powerful piece, sure, but is there a link with Elvis?

The Elvis Las Vegas Extravaganza offers perfect family entertainment for all ages. Book through Computicket or Dial-A-Seat on (031)-369-9444 or at a reduced rate on http://www.computicket.com. Block booking discounts through the Playhouse on (031) 369-9555.

A major niggle – although nothing to do with the show – is why on earth the Durban City Police can’t warn motorists BEFORE they reach the City centre that certain sections or roads will be closed so that they can take an alternate route to the theatre? With Queen Elizabeth and President Thabo Mbeki meeting at the Royal Hotel at the same time as the show, it’s understandable that security has to be tight. So, why not ensure that there are fewer hassles than absolutely necessary?