After spending over 30 years reviewing stage productions I still find myself bemused by those perennial theatre-goers Mr and Mrs Ivor Grimface. You’ve no doubt come across them yourselves, sitting there in the front stalls; arms tightly folded and both wearing fixed “I-dare-you-to-make-me-smile” expressions. No matter how hard the cast work; no matter how amusing; no matter how brilliant the song and/or dance; no matter how entertaining or dramatic, their expressions never flicker.
 | | Christmas With The Rat Pack - poster |
And as for applauding, the best you can ever hope for is an embarrassed tap-tap of right hand against left (but not too much, of course!) The big question I constantly find myself asking is just why do Mr and Mrs G even bother going to the theatre at all? Answer – probably just to annoy me! After all they could seemingly get as much pleasure – and draw equal reaction – from sitting at home watching the fridge light come on when they open the door! But once again there they were at the opening night of Christmas with the Rat Pack, proudly (or defiantly) in their places – next to me! – just three rows from the stage as Frank, Deano and Sammy rekindled memories of the1960s at the Sands Hotel, singing their hearts out, much to the delight of everyone – everyone that is, except Mr and Mrs G. But let’s not dwell on such minorities – after all the Rat Pack’s been packing ‘em in all over the world (and still is) for the past five years. Since the first show in January 2000, it’s played in more than 80 towns and over 100 venues in the UK and Ireland. Not to mention all over Europe and Canada. It’s currently playing to full houses in the West End for a fourth successive year. And for those avid collectors of showbiz detail, here’s a bit more for your notebooks: there’s been seven Franks, 10 Sammys, nine Deans and 29 Berelli Sisters! It has now played to over 800,000 people all over the world and despite this being the third time the show’s been in Birmingham in the past 17 months, as an alternative to traditional panto, it’s perfect. Croon and swing are big business once again. After all if it’s good enough for the likes of Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams and Jamie Calum, then The Rat Pack are sure-fire winners. Make no mistake this is no “Stars in their Eyes” rip-off show; it’s a polished production with sound-a-like Franks, Deans and Sammys who also happen to bare a striking resemblance to the original icons. And with the Festive season upon us, this Rat Pack certainly get in the spirit – in all aspects – with suitable Christmas fare, (White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Baby It’s Cold Outside …. )That’s all in addition to serving up their more traditional goodies taking the audience on a journey down Memory Lane with a whole bagful of classics – from New York, New York to Chicago, through to Fly Me To The Moon and many, many more. So what of the cast? Louis Hoover, who starred in that very first Rat Pack Show back in 2000, bares an uncanny resemblance to Mr Sinatra and gets stronger as the show goes on, culminating in a fine show-stopping rendition of Ol’ Blue Eyes signature tune, My Way, while Michael Neilson makes an identikit Dean Martin. And then there’s Rohan Reckford, a livewire double for Sammy Davis Junior. The three bounce off each other with song, sentiment and plenty of wit (OK the jokes are so corny they’re in dire need of attention from a chiropodist, but who cares?). Together the infamous trio croon, clown, smoke, womanise and drink their way through the show, just as the originals did – not essentially to entertain their audiences, but more to give themselves a damn good time! And lending them ideal support throughout are those sassy threesome, the Burelli Sisters, played by Emma Francis, Zoe Smith and Nikki Stokes – and all backed up by the excellent Colin Campbell 15-piece big band. And how nice it is for once to see the lads in the band on stage throughout instead of buried away in the usual orchestra pit. It’s hard not to enjoy an evening with the Rat Pack – unless of course your name is Mr or Mrs Grimface! Merry Christmas? Bah humbug!
More information Alexandra Theatre
Station Street
Birmingham B5 4DS
Tel: 0121 643 3168 | 
