one4review | On 23, Aug 2026

The Welsh wizard enters Elvis’s world of CC Rider and we are heading for the Promised Land of Suspicious Minds, rhinestones and cowboys.

This true story follows Rickard, a young singer and actress who gets a job as a backing singer for an Elvis tribute show, where she falls for one of the guitarists, who may be the love of her life. The story moves through their encounters as the relationship grows. But there is a problem in the shape of the Elvis impersonator, who seems intent on creating bigger problems than his waistline and driving the couple apart.

This is an excellent snapshot of an early-2000 with a Summer Lovin’ feel. Rickard is very good at bringing plenty of colour to the set, using Elvis analogies throughout. Her reminisces about the Geordie accent as one of her secret turn-ons, and you might just hear her heart quicken. There’s also the revelation of an ex-boyfriend cheating on her with his best female friend. The use of her trademark music is great too, with soaring vocals being brought in at the right times to lighten the mood. And the villain of the piece keeps returning, trying to derail the romance, with his misogynistic ways becoming central to the story.

Rickard is a joy; the tour v travel background is described in wonderfully unglamorous ways; you might even smell the burgers from the van as if you are stuck at the arse end of a Clackton service station.
It’s a story that is warm, funny, and worth listening to, and Rickard tells it with enough charm to make you want to stay on the road with her, rooting for our couple to win the day.

****
Reviewed by Steve H

The Garret at Alchemist Cocktail Bar and Restaurant
Until 23rd 14:45