The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas at the Adelphi Theatre

Gemma Bergomi

The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas at the Adelphi Theatre

06 October, 2009
by: Gemma Bergomi

Running since 2000 at an assortment of West End London theatres, hit show The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas has now landed at the Adelphi. What is it that makes this show so popular? After all, it's just three guys impersonating Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. I head down to find out exactly what all the fuss is about.

Dropping you into the Rat Pack story right at the peak of their success, the show recreates one of a series of legendary performances at the Sands Casino, with the trio performing classics such as ‘Me And My Shadow’, ‘Come Fly With Me’, and ‘Volare’ to name but a few.

As the show begins the curtain rolls back to reveal a silhouetted man standing centre stage. The big band’s instruments glisten and the grand piano stands motionless and imposing. The eerie silence is broken suddenly and as the first notes are sung you instantly become aware that Frank Sinatra, played by Louis Hoover, is the first act of the night.

Crooning away, he struts across the stage with the trademark confidence and ease of Ol' Blue Eyes in his pomp. Just as we begin to settle in to his smooth performance, he introduces Gils Terera as Sammy Davis Jr, onto the stage. A particular favourite of mine, although perhaps not as famous as his Rat Pack counterparts, Sammy dons a bowler hat and blows the crowd away with his rendition of 'Mr Bojangles'.

Last on stage is the comic Dean Martin (Mark Adams) as a lovable drunk, accompanied by the Burelli Sisters (Lizzii Hills, Charlie Ball, Grace Holdstock). It is said that ‘you’ve either got or you haven’t got style’, and Dean Martin sure has style, casually flicking a cigarette into his mouth. He lets his cool slip though (literally) as he falls off his stool - acting or not, I don’t know, but it adds variety to the show so that it doesn’t seem entirely planned out.

In fact, it’s the smaller moments such as Dean’s clumsiness, the casual acknowledgement of latecomers and the fool who forgot to turn off their mobile phone that adds spontaneity to the show. Rather than an entirely rehearsed set list you can almost grasp the unique experiences of having actually been witness to the Rat Pack at the Sands Hotel.

Of course the best performances of the night are the ones they perform together. Ending the first half with ‘New York New York’, and continuing into the second with their humorous antics it is easy to see why they receive a standing ovation.

The only fault of the show is that once it is finished I can’t go and gamble away my life savings at the Sands Hotel and Casino. But I guess, that’s life! 

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