Rat Pack Confidential

Synopsis

Las Vegas in the sixties. Stars and starlets, mobsters and politicos, casinos, clubs and girls. Back on stage are five old friends who defined their era by putting the 'sin' into sin-city. A portrait, not only of the five members of the group of men, who were dubbed by that name, but also of the youthful Las Vegas that seemed to grow almost in their shadow. Packed full of the songs that made and era, hit after hit, featuring classic songs such as Pennies From Heaven, Get Happy, Me and My Shadow, My Way and The Birth of the Blues.

Our Review:

19 September 2003

Like Chekhov's Three Sisters, the Rat Pack - as a group of celebrated Hollywood entertainers that included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin was once famously dubbed - is suddenly travelling in sets.

As if the lavish musical tribute The Rat Pack - Live from Las Vegas, originally at the Haymarket and now at the Strand Theatre, wasn't enough, there's now Rat Pack Confidential newly arrived at the re-opened Whitehall, by way of Nottingham Playhouse and the Bolton Octagon, to spread confusion to all.

It's simple enough, though: if it's the songs you want, scintillatingly rendered against the backdrop of a proper Big Band, head to the Strand. If it's meagre music (performed to the accompaniment of a five piece band) and weak drama instead, then go to the Whitehall.

So while it is usually terrific when regional productions makes their way to the capital, this lazy, hazy biographical 'tribute' show is no reco...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.101.70.202) - 31 January 2004:

Totally fantastic show...

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