“Ask Elvis”, created and performed by Mitch Benn, previewed at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation as part of Manchester Fringe 2026. For anyone who tuned in to listen to the Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2 show, this is he. You might also remember his show from last year when he “did” Tom Lehrer (who unfortunately died a few days later) and he’s repeating that show on July 18th.
In this show we learned how the Ask Elvis slot came into being (and how he remained anonymous for so long) alongside other entertaining and self-effacing anecdotes. We now know just how many Elvis impersonators there are (a helluva lot), and Mitch performed several of Elvis’s songs very well, capturing his drawl perfectly. Close your eyes and it could be him back from the dead, although apparently there are still people who think “The King” is still alive (he’d be 91 now – so don’t rule it out entirely).
Mitch looks nothing like Elvis, but with only a pair of aviator sunglasses and a typically Elvis medallion, he becomes him. It’s a very entertaining hour that concluded with an “Ask Elvis” session. You can ask whatever you want of him on the night (or ahead of it), and sample of what to expect is HERE.
The show is currently in previews before opening in Edinburgh. It should do well.
Paul Schofield for Canal St Media