As the whole world goes just a little bit more Elvis crazy than usual thanks to 2015 being his 80th year, Rosy Moorhead chats to Mario Kombou who has been impersonating the King since he was eight, played him in Jailhouse Rock in the West End, and is now playing him in The Elvis Years, which comes to the Radlett Centre.

How many times have you been to Graceland?

Many times, probably about 15! The very first time I saw it, it seemed smaller than I’d imagined, you always imagine this palace. It’s like going back in time. And also I’ve been to Tupelo where he was born, so to see the difference of where he came from – a two bedroom shack.

Just how big an Elvis fan are you?

I grew up watching the movies and listening to the songs in my bedroom, and my walls were covered in Elvis’ posters when I was a kid.

Did you start impersonating him before you started playing him in shows?

Yeah, I started singing his songs when I was a teenager, going to restaurants and my friends would get me up to sing at weddings and parties and stuff, not as impersonations but singing his songs.

What’s your favourite Elvis song?

My favourites change all the time, that’s the draw of Elvis, there are different songs for different moods. He recorded more than 700 songs so there’s a lot to choose from. His style changed so many times during the course of his career.

What’s your favourite era of Elvis’?

I like the movies. King Creole, that was a cool film. But obviously I like the performances in Vegas, and the 68 comeback. It’s hard to pin-point which one exactly does it for me, really.

Are there any of his mannerisms that were particularly difficult to master?

When Elvis moved he moved naturally, he did what he felt. He moved in a certain way that felt natural to him but doesn’t necessarily feel natural to you, so it’s always difficult.

What do you personally love about him?

It’s everything really, it’s the whole package – he was very good looking, very charismatic, had a fantastic voice, he was a very good actor, and he was very natural.

  • The Elvis Years comes to the Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, on Sunday, January 25 at 7.30pm. Details: 01923 859291, radlettcentre.co.uk