[1] Taylor worked as a drama teacher at Morpeth’s Northgate Hospital, and used it as the main setting for the play.
Critics have noted that, in keeping with his other works for children, Operation Elvis is notable for its engagement with complex social issues such as disability, being “written from the unsentimental standpoint that children's relationships are as complicated as those of adults.”[2] The original cast included Tim Healy,[3] Max Roberts, Denise Bryson and Brian Hogg, and the production was directed by Teddy Kiendl.
His mother, her boyfriend, and his teacher Mr Green are becoming increasingly exasperated with his odd behaviour, and only Jackie, a local pigeon-fancier, seems to understand him.
He ends up 15 miles away in Morpeth in Northumberland, where he meets Michael, a boy with severe brain damage who cannot speak, and his carer, Lynn.
Secretly, Jackie and Lynn help the boys build a special harness to lift Michael from the dock into a boat.