The Jive Aces bring their show The Roots of the King to the Edinburgh Fringe for three days only, from 24-26th August. Lead singer Ian Clarkson, tells us all we need to know about the show.
Every show begins with an initial spark. What was the original idea, moment or experience that made you create this piece?
This is a definite “labour of love”! When we were 13 years old in Essex/East London, we listened to Elvis Presley and he was a big influence on us, but more than that, it was through him we discovered a whole wealth of American roots music; the Rhythm & Blues, Gospel and Blues artists that influenced the King. When the Baz Lurhman Elvis movie came out I saw it and was surprisingly emotionally moved, it took us back to our teenage years and reminded us that our roots are also Elvis’ roots and we did a one off show of this music in London at the Gatehouse Theatre in Highgate and it sold out so fast we added a second show the same night. We have now turned it into a new show which we are launching at the Fringe.
Due to requests we have now also produced a new music album of these songs that inspired Elvis that goes with the show so people can buy it or stream.
What can audiences expect when they step into this world?
This will be a musical experience that will take them back to the very crossroads where blues meets early rock n roll and the doors and racial barriers were blown away by the jubilant power of art, music and dance. They can expect music that is going to lift their spirits, make them smile, get their feet tapping and hands clapping. They will feel reinvigorated and energised.
The Edinburgh Fringe is a place where artists and audiences come together from across the world. Why is this the right place for this show?
Because it is a huge platform for artists. People come from all over the world to pick shows and be entertained. It is a fantastic melting pot of all forms of art from comedy to theatre to music and the locals and visitors that frequent the festival are themselves seekers of art and experience and are looking for a great experience, so this is a perfect platform for something that is at the same time both a niche and totally universal.
What is something about the show that the audience might not immediately notice, but you hope they discover?
Everyone is witness to the blues as the catalyst and source of nearly all modern popular music, soul and rock…everything! Which is why I say that the show is both a niche and is universal at the same time. The songs are well known, the original artists and their story and how Elvis opened the doors is less well known, that these are the roots of rock itself becomes self evident.
What has surprised you most about creating this piece?
One of the surprising things about creating this show is how interested people are in the subject and how broadly it resonates, and I mean all generations, new and older. It’s music that never ages.
When your audience walks home, what would you love them to still be talking about?
I’d love them to just be happy and feel the warmth of the experience and of course understand, if they didn’t already, where music that influenced the young Elvis Presley came from and their own personal experience and connection to that music. And if they like the show to tell friends (and if they didn’t, tell their enemies. LOL!)
The Jive Aces: The Roots of The King
theSpaceTriplex (Surgeons’ Hall)
4:30 PM & 10:00 PM (4:30 pm only on 26th)
August 24–26 2026