RoosevElvis, Royal Court **

The American based 'The TEAM' have brought their 2013 play to the Royal Courtand it is quite a play. A road trip with Teddy Roosevelt and Elvis Presley through the mind of a meat factory worker needs a leap in imagination. On the way the play tries to cram as many themes and ideas in as possible, mixing pre-recorded film with fights and a complex and multi-layered set from Nick Vaughan. This perhaps is the sticking point to the piece. You can't really tell what the play is trying to say as a result. Kristen Sieh and Libby King are electrifying as Brenda and Ann and their idols Roosevelt and Presley, inhabiting the characters with real physicality yet I just couldn't 'get' any of their characters. It may be just the gap of the Atlantic meaning that references are lost or certain expressions or emotions are misinterpreted but, whilst I could admire and respect the ins and outs of the play, it did not strike my emotions or give me a chance to connect, yet giving me life plenty to think about and the puzzle 'what is Roosevelvis really about?'