When the feminine meets the masculine: Libby King (Elvis) and Kristen Sieh (Teddy). Photo credit Sue Kessler
Theatre: Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court
Play: RoosevElvis
Playwrights: Rachel Chavkin, Libby King, Jake Margolin and Kristen Sieh
Director: Rachel Chavkin
Review by Esha Chaman
RoosevElvis is a mind-bending journey of self-discovery, where introverted Ann finds herself travelling to Graceland with two unlikely companions – Theodore Roosevelt and Elvis Presley.
Meat factory worker Ann (Libby King) is battling with an identity crisis and is obsessed with her hero Elvis Presley. When alone she confides in him about every mundane and private detail of her life, including a dream where “everyone can see the dude underwear” she wears while going through the security check at work.
In the privacy of her extreme loneliness, she incarnates her hero during which her imaginary Elvis sends her blue suede shoes, Levis and a man’s red shirt.
Following a disastrous date with the sparky and well-travelled taxidermist Brenda (Kristen Sieh), Ann toys with the idea of venturing out of Rapid City, South Dakota for the first time in her life to visit Graceland, Elvis’s former home, in Memphis, Tennessee. What finally propels her to embark on a pilgrimage to her idol’s home, is her ‘hero’s hero’ Teddy Roosevelt, channelled by Brenda.
Donning an Elvis wig and aviator shades, Ann morphs into the King before the road trip with Teddy, like a surreal remake of the film classic Thelma and Louise. The two flex over Ann’s identity, and constantly attempt to trump each other’s physical strength and achievements.
As Teddy and Elvis spend more time together, their different shades of masculinity clash. Teddy claims Elvis’s success has caused “social damage”. He calls him “a degenerate” and “show pony” and praises his own “war horse” machismo.
The mounting tension between the two icons cause Ann to re-emerge, and she calls on Brenda to divulge her insecurities about being far from home and who she is.
After rejecting a kiss from Brenda in public, Ann is accused of being depressed and “not proud of being gay”. As a result, Ann abandons Brenda, Teddy and Elvis to complete her journey solo to Graceland.
Brooklyn-based ensemble the TEAM and writer/director Rachel Chavkin deliver a multi-media performance which explores the fluidity of gender, sexuality and coming to terms with one’s plural identity. The well-researched script is a collaborative effort and is studded with humour, poignancy, bravado and fun.
A bizarre mishmash of hallucinations are well-realised and visualised, especially when Brenda reappears as actress Ann-Margaret dancing on stage in a 1950s bikini. Watching former president Teddy Roosevelt breaking out into a ballet routine immediately after throwing some fierce punches at projected footage of buffalo is a sight to behold.
The use of film and video propels this play to blockbuster levels of theatre production. Reels of footage filmed on location en route from South Dakota to Graceland, peppered with diners, motels and the Grand Canyon, rub shoulders with snippets from Thelma and Louise. They provide a cinematic transition between scenes and stitch them together seamlessly.
However, it’s the acting and quality characterisations which are the real triumph. King is just plain excellent as Elvis and Anne. She masterfully mirrors the deep sadness which engulfs them both, and manages to steer away from the corny impressions which are synonymous with Elvis tributes over the years. King’s Elvis is humble, emotional and dashing and as Ann, she exudes a shy and insecure nature, which is incredibly moving at times.
Sieh’s Teddy radiates an infectious humour, posh goofiness and a pomposity that will grab your attention long after the play is over. She brings a political icon to life as the brash masculine nemesis to King’s Elvis.
RoosevElvis is an intimate study of what it means to be androgynous, gay and comfortable in your own skin, and bravely challenges notions of gender through the prism of American masculinity.
This play is a must see at the Royal Court this autumn.
RoosevElvis is at the Royal Court until 14 November 2015.