I went into The Rat Pack a little unsure as to what I was going to think of it. After all, as a 17-year-old who had previously only come across this music whilst casually flicking through the radio frequencies, I wasn't all that familiar with the music of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, or even, dare I admit it, Frank Sinatra.

From the start, though, the set stood out, the orchestra mounted up on stage in front of a bright and colourful backdrop which was aided in creating the mood by some vibrant lighting. The costumes, too, were clearly well thought-out, both the main three characters, their dancers, and the orchestra looked the part, all of which helped the look of the production no end.

On to the show itself. After the opening announcement we were welcomed to the show by Frank Sinatra (a.k.a. Louis Hoover), who started things rolling with The Lady Is A Tramp and I Get A Kick Out Of You among others. After he had opened, Sammy Davis Jr, played by George Long, and Dean Martin, played by Alex Bourne, to give us a few more classics and a tap-dancing masterclass. More great songs, like Little Old Wine Drinker Me and Rhythm of Life followed, along with some truly hilarious moments of banter between the three. The interval left the audience highly impressed, and the second Act was even better. Me & My Shadow, When You're Drinking and Candyman are just a few of the highlights, and there was one Sammy Davis Jr classic (I'll leave you to discover which one), which Frank and Dean talked over to hysterical uproar from the audience.
Performances were all superb. In truth, it's very difficult to single out one of the leading trio as the best, but only in a good sense. It was necessary to remind yourself all the time that you were at a tribute performance, not the real thing, such was the attention to detail and the passion and energy with which the singers, dancers and orchestra performed. The audience just refused to stop clapping at the end, and were rewarded with a brilliant encore, leaving everyone applauding and feeling thoroughly stunned.

Now then, I'd better get down to the record shop and expand my collection...

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