Light Entertainment: The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas

Adelphi, London
September 28–November 21, followed by Christmas with the Rat Pack until January 2
Director: Mitch Sebastian
Producers: Paul Walden and Derek Nichol for Rat Pack Touring
Cast: Louis Hoover, Gils Terera, Mark Adams, Charlie Bull, Grace Holdstock, Lizzii Hills Running time: 2hrs 30mins

In what has to be the ultimate in tribute show entertainment, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin get together for a fun-packed performance at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.

Opening the show, Louis Hoover headlines as a smooth Sinatra, recreating both his uniquely styled delivery and his waspish sense of humour. It is difficult to pinpoint the highlights in such a well-refined act, but Mac the Knife and New York, New York are ebullient showstoppers.

Gils Terera makes a marvellous Sammy Davies Jnr, raising the emotional level of the show with a tear-jerking Mr Bojangles and a performance of Newley and Bricusse’s What Kind of Fool Am I that brought the audience to its feet.

Much of the humour throughout the evening is provided by way of Mark Adams’ drunk act, as the irrepressible and undoubtedly talented Martin, mixing Volare with That’s Amore, with a dry martini on the side.

Whilst each performer is excellent individually, it is when the three team up that the show really begins to take off. There is a well-rehearsed, smooth and witty patter between numbers as the three develop an almost schoolboy attraction to booze and the ladies.

The ladies here are represented by the Burelli Sisters, a close-harmony girl group featuring Charlie Bull, Grace Holdstock and Lizzii Hills. Whether slinking across the stage in clinging satin gowns or kicking out a Fosse-style routine, the three of them add a touch of glamour and sophistication to balance the Rat Pack’s endless carousing.

Paul Vale