March 3rd 1960. US Sergeant 53310761 Elvis Presley is due to land at Prestwick Airport in Scotland on his way back to the USA after completing his National Service in Germany. This will turn out to be the one and only time the King of Rock & Roll sets foot on British soil.
The news somehow gets out and an eager group of his fans gather at the airport to catch a glimpse of their hero.
Tony Taylor is a mechanic from Mansfield. He believes that if a truck driver from Tupelo, Mississippi can make it big, then just about anything’s possible. Hearing the news that his hero will be landing on British soil, Tony skips work and sets off, determined to see the Hillbilly Cat in the flesh. Joining him for the adventure are his sister Jean and her friend Sylvia. Jean’s feet appear to be firmly on the ground, while Sylvia is hoping to be swept off of hers.
The play is a road movie on stage, following the ups and downs of the gang’s journey from Mansfield to Prestwick. En route the trio’s progress is punctuated by an array of colourful comic characters, as Tony, Jean and Sylvia struggle to make their goal.
Will time run out, or will Tony achieve his ambition to see the Tupelo Tornado at close range? |