Aye, Elvis by Morna Young is on at Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre - Basement, during August.

  • Tell us about your Fringe show

Aye, Elvis by Morna Young “Yer a wifie. Dressed as Elvis. In Aberdeen.”

Joyce Falconer (River City) stars in this ‘A Play, A Pie and A Pint’ smash-hit, directed by Ken Alexander. Joan is an Elvis impersonator with big dreams. With the regional heat of Ultimate Elvis approaching, Joan knows there’s work to do. But Joan has The King inside – and The King always wins.

  • How does it feel to be playing the Fringe for the first time?

The Aye, Elvis team (director Ken Alexander and actor Joyce Falconer) and I are delighted to be bringing the show to the fringe for the first time (produced and presented by Gilded Balloon). We debuted at ‘a Play, a Pie and a Pint’ in February 2018 during the snow storms so both cast and audience had to trek to see the show. We’re hoping for a little sun this time.

Aye, Elvis marks my fringe debut. As a northerner (from a wee fishing village in the North East), I grew up watching the fringe from afar and I’m delighted to finally be a part of it.

  • Why did you decide to perform at the Fringe?

We were overjoyed by the audience reaction to our run at ‘a Play, a Pie and a Pint’ and wanted to bring the story of our female Elvis impersonator to a wider demographic. Joan, our heroine, is a beautiful, odd soul and we loved seeing audiences connect to her story. People laughed and people cried – what more could you want as a theatre-maker? Our show started as a pub joke.

I was having a wee dram with Joyce one evening and we heard karaoke in upstairs. Joyce did a brilliant Elvis impersonation and I said: “There’s a play in that”. Joyce thought I was joking… Anyway – to go from pub joke to ‘a Play, a Pie and a Pint’ to the fringe is a brilliant, random progression and we’re all fair chuft to be continuing the Aye, Elvis journey.

  • If you were not a performer what would you be doing?

Probably dreaming about it!

  • How do you prepare for a performance?

Joyce used a mop and a broom handle as snow sticks to trek to Oran Mor every day during our run at ‘a Play, a Pie and a Pint’ – so her Fringe journey should be a little tamer!

  • Best/worst advice you’ve been given ahead of your debut show?

To enjoy the madness!

I’m currently working in New Zealand as playwright-in-residence for BATS Theatre Company in Wellington so I’m sadly missing out on the Edinburgh adventure this year! The rest of the team are looking forward to sharing the story with a wider audience whilst also having the opportunity to view new shows from Scotland and beyond.

  • What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?

As a ginger fiddle playing Highland dancer, I’m probably one of the biggest Scottish stereotypes you’ll meet.

Our leading lady, Joyce Falconer, is also well known for her rich Doric accent after appearing in River City for many years. She’s much impersonated for her one of a kind voice!

  • Favouite Scottish food/drink?

It’s got to be whisky, right?

  • Sum up your show in three words

Female, Doric Elvis!

Show summary

Joyce Falconer (River City) stars in this A Play, A Pie and A Pint smash hit, directed by Ken Alexander. Joan is an Elvis impersonator with big dreams. With the regional heat of Ultimate Elvis approaching, Joan knows there's work to do. But Joan has The King inside – and The King always wins. Will she find her way to Graceland, to love and riches? 

Aye, Elvis by Morna Young is on at Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre - Basement, during August. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com