The Rat Pack

Theatre Royal, Norwich

Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 5 July 2005

The Rat Pack

I did it my way. A philosophy for the generation who grew up with the Rat Pack.

Songs like That’s Life, That’s Amore, Fly Me to the Moon, Chicago, New York … are the soundtrack of the 1950s and much of the 60s too.

In the company of talented performers, unmistakable music, cool dance moves, it wasn’t hard to imagine being at The Sands, Las Vegas.

Individually and together Sammy Davis Jnr, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra were a force in entertainment that is felt to this day.

The show is a cabaret tribute and more. The luscious Berelli Sisters were the dancing chorus eye candy – It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing. They swung.

The 15-piece band on stage, and musical director Colin Campbell were formidable.

Nigel Casey, as Martin, had the edge on the jokes (and it’s a pity that Norfolk’s own Phil Barley was not playing tonight) but Allie Laurie as Davis Jnr was a fireball of energy and his Mr Beaujangles was near perfect.

Henry Prego as Sinatra was the Leader and the three men worked in harmony allowing banter, jokes on women,  booze and race to reveal a fascinating insight into their relationship.

A night to remember, foot tapping, body-warming classy show – pure style and cool sophistication.