Callum Crumlish enjoys feeling close to the King.
Across the hall from the Game of Thrones extravaganza, London’s O2 Arena is also graced with an Elvis Presley exhibition. With standout memorabilia such as the jumpsuit from Jailhouse Rock, guitars, and various cars used in his private life as well as on screen, the show truly gives you an insight into Elvis’ world.
It starts by displaying the humble beginnings of the King. Old family photos are mounted on the walls, and trinkets from his upbringing line the room in glass cabinets – his childhood bible, his bicycle, his parents’ work clothes. There is ancient film footage of a young Elvis, no older than 21, making his first TV appearance, singing and dancing on the Dorsey Brothers Show.
The exhibition tracks Elvis as he made his name and built a career: there is plenty of film footage, shot both on stage and in the TV studio. Equal attention is paid to his fashion choices, with many pieces brought over straight from Graceland (Elvis’ mansion in Memphis, Tennessee), including almost all of the iconic jumpsuits. Of these, the all-leather and the Stars and Stripes jumpsuits form the centrepiece of the whole show. Yet some exhibits which are not displayed so prominently, are possibly the most evocative objects. Hidden away near the exit are prized personal possessions such as Elvis’ wallet, which held photos of his ex-wife Priscilla, and hand-written letters sent home while the King was serving in Uncle Sam’s Army.
The O2’s Elvis Presley exhibition does a good job of taking visitors through the highlights of the King’s extensive career, without touching too much upon his later-life spiral into obesity and substance abuse. Perhaps it might have been more authentic if the curators had addressed these difficult topics head-on.
More information about the exhibition can be found here: http://www.elvisattheo2.com/theexhibition.php