Cooking Up A Storm

Lee Hall’s Cooking with Elvis tells the story of Dad - a former surveyor turned Elvis Presley impersonator who was paralyzed in a car crash. Inside, he’s still the King, periodically leaping out of his wheelchair in a sequined jumpsuit to sing Elvis numbers and comment on the appalling behaviour of the people around him.

The interplay between the head-strong and sexually frustrated Mam (Sarah Scott), her sensitive, food obsessed and slightly overweight teenage daughter Jill (Emma Jane Richards), and Stuart - the opportunistic lover (Adam Simpson) was gripping to watch.

Adam Lowe as Dad/Elvis was fantastic. The moments when he rose from his chair to sing added a refreshing lightness to a play that tackled very difficult subjects matters - disability, sex, ageing, addiction and abuse.

A brave choice but done exceptionally well.