Express & Star, Wednesday June 14 2000
Elvis lives... all three of him

....Backed by a tight, on-stage band, Shane Cortese had the moody, hip-swivelling, lip-curling young Elvis to perfection.

Birmingham Post Wednesday June 14 2000

....There are three Elvis’s who take us through the evening. They are Shane Cortese, who is quite excellent, Rebel Dean and Damien Edwards.

Evening Mail, Wednesday June 14 2000

....Shane Cortese is marginally the pick of the crop, both in appearance and voice, as demonstrated by a delightful rendition of Love Me Tender.

Daily Post, Thursday May 25 2000 - Penny Fray

Reds fan makes sure The Legend lives on

He may have been cast the world’s greatest rock’n’roll legend, but Shane Cortese, the star of Elvis the Musical, speaks with enough charm to melt the earpiece of your phone.

But in contrast, the real young Elvis was a man of few words, with a modest courtesy drawn from the Bible-belt of his upbringing.

Barely giving me a chance to introduce myself on the line, the Kiwi actor gushes his excitement about performing at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre, next week.

“This is the only time I’ve ever had a chance to play there and I’ve been a Liverpool supporter since I was four years old,” he says eagerly.

“Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do an Anfield tour, but all the players will be away now.”

I cruelly taunt him with false hopes of some of the players still being around and he responds with loud whoops of joy.

“The show has been playing since just a few months after Elvis’ death in 1977, and is the only version sanctioned by the Presley Estate,” he says proudly.

From Memphis to Vegas, Elvis the Musical takes the audience on a journey through the key stages of the tragic singers life. Shane plays the role of the young Elvis, while Rebel Dean and Damien Edwards plays (sic) him during his later years. But with the estate’s beady eyes continually checking the show’s content, it is no great surprise that the King’s less positive years have been conveniently edited out.

Although Shane with his mischievous blue eyes and fair spiky hair, fails to capture the dark, brooding looks of the 1950s singer, he successfully belts out familiar tunes like Blue Suede Shoes, Always on My Mind (? webmaster) and Heartbreak Hotel. But despite the curl of the lip and smouldering stare, he emphasises that he is not an Elvis impersonator.

The 31-year-old says: “It’s not as though I’m going to go through the doors and exclaim ‘tonight Matthew, I’m going to be...’ I’m portraying Elvis rather than impersonating Elvis.”

Shane adds: “His music filled a huge generation, from hill billy music to big band stuff. He just had a magical voice which even today’s musical stars admire.”

His credits include Seymour in the Little Shop of Horrors, Dany (sic) in Grease and a lead role in Barnum, for which he mastered tightrope walking, unicycling and juggling.

“ It was a challenge,” he says.

“But when you know that in four months time you have to do something, you push to succeed. After all, you don’t want to appear a complete fool on stage.”

Although he prefers to be regarded as an actor, it was his charisma that won him his first major musical role.

he says: “I managed to get a job playing a ghoul in the Rocky Horror Show and the director told me not to take my mask off. But I did, and was spotted by Debbie O’Brien, who invited me to play in a West End Musical.”

He denies his charm and good looks was anything to do with his good fortune. I wonder...

Edinburgh Evening News Tuesday 23 May 2000 - Liam Rudden

....Shane Cortese was the young Elvis, and the most impressive of the three. Helped by an uncanny resemblance to the man himself and a rich voice closely tuned to Presley’s own, he had every strut and lip curl down to a T in a perfectly observed performance.

Perched on the edge of the stage to sing Love Me Tender with only a guitar for accompaniment, he brought a hush so profound to the proceedings that you really could hear the proverbial pin drop.

Bristol Evening Post 16 May 2000

....Shane Cortese is gorgeous as the young Elvis.

Rock ‘n’ rule - Tony Collins

....Shane Cortese is marginally the pick of the crop, both in appearance and voice, as demonstrated by a delightful rendition of Love Me Tender

The three wise Kings

....Three actors play the King. As the young Elvis, Shane Cortese’s profile looks so much like Presley’s that he could legitimately claim love-child status.

The King is dead. Long live the King

We meet the young Elvis (superbly played by New Zealander Shane Cortese) at the age of 18 (!!!!!webmaster) as he pops into a recording studio to make a recording of That’s When Your Heartaches Begin and My Happiness to give to his mum, Gladys.....All three are excellent but Cortese has the edge, looking and sounding uncannily like the raw young Elvis with his every gesture reincarnated.

Sobbin’ and Rockin’ in tribute to the King - Philip Radcliffe

...Elvis impersonators are ten a penny, but do you want lookalikes or soundalikes? Shane Cortese as the teenage Elvis is strikingly both - and his version of Are You Lonesome Tonight? had the women responding as they might to the man himself.

Elvis - the musical

....Shane Cortese, as young Elvis was the crowd’s favourite...

The ultimate tribute to Elvis

...Some might say that it takes three men to match Elvis’ one talent, but each contributes his own special gift - Shane Cortese as the ‘Young Elvis’, though sharper in looks, has all the right mannerisms and the best swivelling hips...

Following that dream

‘Follow that Dream’ is just what two of the Elvises in ‘Elvis the Musical’ did.

New Zealander Shane Cortese, who has played the Elvis-type’ Pharoah in national tours of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ and voiced over many jingles as the young Elvis, said his dad - who is coming over from Wellington to see him in the show - brought him up on The King. “I’ve never played him for real before; it’s a dream come true.

“Apart from his music what impresses me is the range of people he touched.

“I was at an Elvis concert at Wembley recently and there were 12,000 people there of all ages. He really built rock ‘n’ roll. After Mickey Mouse he is the biggest name in the world.”

Southern Daily Echo Wednesday, April 26, 2000
They just want to be your Teddy Bears...

....Shane Cortese was probably the most realistic as young Elvis,... Every song was a classic, with the words ingrained in the memory. It’s hard to imagine Britney Spears, The Musical in 40 years’ time!



		In 2000 Shane starred as the young Elvis in Elvis the Musical. If you saw it you know you witnessed something very special, if you were unfortunate enough to miss it you must hope that the show returns soon. Here are some of the reviews of Shane’s performances as the King....


		Express & Star, Wednesday June 14 2000 Elvis lives... all three of him ....Backed by a tight, on-stage band, Shane Cortese had the moody, hip-swivelling, lip-curling young Elvis to perfection. Birmingham Post Wednesday June 14 2000 ....There are three Elvis’s who take us through the evening. They are Shane Cortese, who is quite excellent, Rebel Dean and Damien Edwards. Evening Mail, Wednesday June 14 2000 ....Shane Cortese is marginally the pick of the crop, both in appearance and voice, as demonstrated by a delightful rendition of Love Me Tender. Daily Post, Thursday May 25 2000 - Penny Fray Reds fan makes sure The Legend lives on He may have been cast the world’s greatest rock’n’roll legend, but Shane Cortese, the star of Elvis the Musical, speaks with enough charm to melt the earpiece of your phone. But in contrast, the real young Elvis was a man of few words, with a modest courtesy drawn from the Bible-belt of his upbringing. Barely giving me a chance to introduce myself on the line, the Kiwi actor gushes his excitement about performing at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre, next week. “This is the only time I’ve ever had a chance to play there and I’ve been a Liverpool supporter since I was four years old,” he says eagerly. “Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do an Anfield tour, but all the players will be away now.” I cruelly taunt him with false hopes of some of the players still being around and he responds with loud whoops of joy. “The show has been playing since just a few months after Elvis’ death in 1977, and is the only version sanctioned by the Presley Estate,” he says proudly. From Memphis to Vegas, Elvis the Musical takes the audience on a journey through the key stages of the tragic singers life. Shane plays the role of the young Elvis, while Rebel Dean and Damien Edwards plays (sic) him during his later years. But with the estate’s beady eyes continually checking the show’s content, it is no great surprise that the King’s less positive years have been conveniently edited out. Although Shane with his mischievous blue eyes and fair spiky hair, fails to capture the dark, brooding looks of the 1950s singer, he successfully belts out familiar tunes like Blue Suede Shoes, Always on My Mind (? webmaster) and Heartbreak Hotel. But despite the curl of the lip and smouldering stare, he emphasises that he is not an Elvis impersonator. The 31-year-old says: “It’s not as though I’m going to go through the doors and exclaim ‘tonight Matthew, I’m going to be...’ I’m portraying Elvis rather than impersonating Elvis.” Shane adds: “His music filled a huge generation, from hill billy music to big band stuff. He just had a magical voice which even today’s musical stars admire.” His credits include Seymour in the Little Shop of Horrors, Dany (sic) in Grease and a lead role in Barnum, for which he mastered tightrope walking, unicycling and juggling. “ It was a challenge,” he says. “But when you know that in four months time you have to do something, you push to succeed. After all, you don’t want to appear a complete fool on stage.” Although he prefers to be regarded as an actor, it was his charisma that won him his first major musical role. he says: “I managed to get a job playing a ghoul in the Rocky Horror Show and the director told me not to take my mask off. But I did, and was spotted by Debbie O’Brien, who invited me to play in a West End Musical.” He denies his charm and good looks was anything to do with his good fortune. I wonder... Edinburgh Evening News Tuesday 23 May 2000 - Liam Rudden ....Shane Cortese was the young Elvis, and the most impressive of the three. Helped by an uncanny resemblance to the man himself and a rich voice closely tuned to Presley’s own, he had every strut and lip curl down to a T in a perfectly observed performance. Perched on the edge of the stage to sing Love Me Tender with only a guitar for accompaniment, he brought a hush so profound to the proceedings that you really could hear the proverbial pin drop. Bristol Evening Post 16 May 2000 ....Shane Cortese is gorgeous as the young Elvis. Rock ‘n’ rule - Tony Collins ....Shane Cortese is marginally the pick of the crop, both in appearance and voice, as demonstrated by a delightful rendition of Love Me Tender The three wise Kings ....Three actors play the King. As the young Elvis, Shane Cortese’s profile looks so much like Presley’s that he could legitimately claim love-child status. The King is dead. Long live the King We meet the young Elvis (superbly played by New Zealander Shane Cortese) at the age of 18 (!!!!!webmaster) as he pops into a recording studio to make a recording of That’s When Your Heartaches Begin and My Happiness to give to his mum, Gladys.....All three are excellent but Cortese has the edge, looking and sounding uncannily like the raw young Elvis with his every gesture reincarnated. Sobbin’ and Rockin’ in tribute to the King - Philip Radcliffe ...Elvis impersonators are ten a penny, but do you want lookalikes or soundalikes? Shane Cortese as the teenage Elvis is strikingly both - and his version of Are You Lonesome Tonight? had the women responding as they might to the man himself. Elvis - the musical ....Shane Cortese, as young Elvis was the crowd’s favourite... The ultimate tribute to Elvis ...Some might say that it takes three men to match Elvis’ one talent, but each contributes his own special gift - Shane Cortese as the ‘Young Elvis’, though sharper in looks, has all the right mannerisms and the best swivelling hips... Following that dream ‘Follow that Dream’ is just what two of the Elvises in ‘Elvis the Musical’ did. New Zealander Shane Cortese, who has played the Elvis-type’ Pharoah in national tours of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ and voiced over many jingles as the young Elvis, said his dad - who is coming over from Wellington to see him in the show - brought him up on The King. “I’ve never played him for real before; it’s a dream come true. “Apart from his music what impresses me is the range of people he touched. “I was at an Elvis concert at Wembley recently and there were 12,000 people there of all ages. He really built rock ‘n’ roll. After Mickey Mouse he is the biggest name in the world.” Southern Daily Echo Wednesday, April 26, 2000 They just want to be your Teddy Bears... ....Shane Cortese was probably the most realistic as young Elvis,... Every song was a classic, with the words ingrained in the memory. It’s hard to imagine Britney Spears, The Musical in 40 years’ time!