Elvis has not left the building - not The Gateway in Seaton anyway!

From world leaders to the King of Rock 'n' Roll – the Gateway Theatre in Seaton will be bringing audiences another varied programme of events in the coming weeks.

In the National Theatre Live's screening of Best of Enemies, two men fighting to become the next American president, but all eyes are on the battle going on behind the scenes.

Some things never change, because this is not 2023, but 1968 America when the cunningly conservative William F Buckley (David Harewood), and the unruly liberal Gore Vidal (Charles Edwards), are squaring up to each other during a new nightly television show.

The two men are brought together by the head of failing TV network ABC, who hope the unconventional coverage of the Republican and Democratic parties will help his ratings.

This is the start of a whole new frontier in American politics that transformed televised news forever and helped to polarise the bitter unbridgeable gulf between the political parties that by 2023 has resulted in riots and prison sentences.

NT Live Best of Enemies – Thursday, May 18, doors 6.30pm, tickets £14.50/£7.50.

On July 4 1956, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and DJ Fontana headlined a benefit concert at Russwood in Memphis Tennessee in front of thousands of fans.

Elvis was driven to the concert in a police car, but when fans heard this, they mobbed the car.

Fast forward to 2023 at the Gateway Theatre for Elvis 56 – Memphis to Hollywood to enjoy a unique tribute to the greatest singer and entertainer that ever lived. You will be taken back to the 1950s and 60s with classics like Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, and Viva Las Vegas.

Backed by a nine-piece live band, this is going to be a night to remember, when you will definitely not be lonesome tonight, but don't worry, Elvis won't be arriving by police car!

Elvis 56 – Memphis to Hollywood - Saturday, May 20, doors 7.30pm, tickets £16.

Adapted from the 2015 stage hit, Ben Platt reprises his Broadway performance as Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen, a lonely and unpopular high school student who is nursing a broken arm, and on a cocktail of anxiety medication.

Evan's therapist asks him to write some upbeat letters to himself, beginning 'Dear Evan Hansen'. One day, in a fit of gloomy despondency, he writes a letter to himself saying how awful life is, but school bully Connor, who takes pleasure in being mean to Evan, steals it from him.

In a twist of fate, the letter is found on Connor's body after he commits suicide, and everyone thinks he wrote it. Evan becomes the centre of attention, and prolongs the lie so he can get closer to Connor's sister.

Starring Ben Platt, Kaitlyn Dever, and Colton Ryan, this film is teenage angst at its height and will be screened at one of The Gateway's popular film picnic nights.

Dear Evan Hansen – Friday, May 26, doors 6.30pm, tickets £7.50/£6.50.