MORE than 40 years after his death and Elvis Presley can still play to arenas.

This latest incarnation of the show combining original concert footage of the 'The King' and the musicians of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra accompanying him live had an added bonus.

For joining the orchestra for parts of the show were the original members of the TCB Band who played with Elvis throughout his marathon residency in Las Vegas.

This was a chance to see rock and roll royalty - guitarist James Burton, pianist Glen D Hardin and drummer Ronnie Tutt - on stage together for one more time.

There is something slightly surreal about watching the star of the show on a giant screen. The whole idea really shouldn't work, but it does. The key is to suspend your scepticism and open your ears.

The problem with Elvis is that his legacy has been tarnished by the sheer number of tribute acts - some excellent, the majority less so.

It is only when you hear that voice through a state-of-the-art PA system that you can fully appreciate just how good he was.

The RPO isn't a bad backing band to have either. It can't be easy playing live to a performer who himself was performing live, albeit up to 50 years ago. But they rose to the challenge majestically. And they had a blast while they were doing it.

As we were treated to a series of early Elvis rock and roll numbers, the string section turned into the Ikettes, dancing away with giant smiles on their faces.

The show featured hit after hit and spanned much of Elvis's career from the early days through to his movies.

Priscilla Presley and lifelong friend Jerry Schilling acted as slightly distracted comperes to the evening, sharing a few anecdotes and offering a glimpse of some of their home movies on the big screens.

But the evening really didn't need any embellishment. The songs, the musicians and that voice had everything you needed.