An immersive Elvis Presley show in London, billed as a high-tech spectacle using AI and holograms, has come under heavy criticism from disappointed attendees who say it fails to deliver on its promises — despite ticket prices of up to £300.

Elvis Evolution, launched by the company Layered Reality, opened last Friday for a six-month run at ExCeL London. Marketed as a groundbreaking digital concert featuring a “life-sized digital Elvis,” the event instead offers archive footage of the star’s 1968 comeback special and live performances by actors and musicians — but no actual hologram, as originally advertised in early 2024.

Tickets range from £75 for standard entry to £300 for a VIP package that includes champagne, exclusive seating, and bar access. Some attendees have called the experience “atrocious,” “a total shambles,” and “misleading.”

Fans Demand Refunds

Mark and Tracey Baldwin, who purchased VIP tickets, said they left the event feeling cheated. “There was no Elvis hologram, just a video we could’ve watched on YouTube,” said Mrs. Baldwin. “It felt like a scam.”

Other visitors expressed similar disappointment, claiming they were misled by promotional materials. Paige Rannigan, who saved up to buy tickets for her mother’s birthday, said she left in tears, calling the show “nothing like what was advertised.”

One major concern raised was the lack of adequate warnings for those with medical sensitivities. Ms. Rannigan, who has epilepsy, said she saw no signage warning about flashing lights.

Company Responds

Layered Reality acknowledged that early advertisements in January 2024 referenced a hologram and AI-powered Elvis, but stated the production evolved over two years. “The concept changed,” a spokesperson said. “We decided not to replicate Elvis with a hologram, opting instead to enhance archival footage using AI and build a theatrical experience around it.”

The company insisted that the experience has received praise from many attendees, describing it as “immersive, innovative, and unlike anything else.”

Despite that, some performances were canceled over the weekend due to a security incident. A guest was forcibly removed by staff after becoming aggressive, which led to the mood becoming “too heated to continue,” according to witnesses.

Mixed Reviews and Ongoing Controversy

Critics are divided. The Telegraph gave the show one star, calling it lackluster, while CityAM praised it as “touching” and awarded four stars. TimeOut gave it three, noting it was enjoyable “once you accept it for what it is.”

Some fans on social media described it as “fun” and “well-acted,” but others, like Lizzie Ward, said they were “desperately” seeking refunds, describing the show as a “low-quality theatrical performance.”

The event’s official website has removed earlier references to holograms. It now describes the show as a multimedia journey featuring live actors, themed bars, and interactive storytelling tracing Elvis’s rise from humble beginnings to global fame.

What’s Next?

Originally announced with plans to tour Las Vegas, Berlin, and Tokyo, there’s no confirmation yet that the production will expand beyond London. Layered Reality, known for other immersive projects like The Gunpowder Plot and The War of the Worlds, says performances will resume on 23 July after reviewing security protocols and consulting with cast members.

Elvis Evolution is scheduled to run through December 2025.