Rat Pack Confidential: till 30 August then to West End
Nottingham
RAT PACK CONFIDENTIAL: Shawn Levy adapted by Paul Sirett
Nottingham Playhouse and Octagon Theatre, Bolton co-production:
Tkts 0115 9419419. www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Runs: 2h 25m: 1 interval: till 30th August; transfers to West End
7.45pm, matinee Thurs 28th 2.30pm
Review: Jen Mitchell: 21st August
Now at the Whitehall Theatre, London
Fascinating insights into troubled people: racism of the time shockingly apparent: and an unresolved tension
The band on stage playing easy listening jazz numbers as the audience enters the auditorium lulls us in to a false sense of security regarding what the evening has in store for us. The musical nostalgia is played out against a world of drink, violence and corruption to the highest level.
The Rat Pack, as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop were known, became equally infamous for their off stage antics as their fame and public personas grew to proportions never seen before.
This production is a slice of cultural history, involving Sinatra's funding of JFK's election campaign with mob money and the suspicious death of a policeman. The songs are selected with irony, as the funding of JFK's campaign is followed by Pennies from Heaven. Richard Shelton's Sinatra is revealed as a vicious control freak with a hugely arrogant persona, believing nothing can touch him. His redeeming moment comes when he remains adamant he will be best man at the wedding of Sammy Davis Jr., in spite of flying in the face of popular, racist opinion.
The blatant and institutionalised racism of the time is shockingly apparent through the treatment Sammy Davis Jr. is accorded, compared to his rat pack colleagues. A scene of dreadful conflict and emotion reflecting Davis's victimization in the army is played out whilst the other pack members sing High Hopes. Some sympathy is felt for Dean Martin, who early on is a laid back drunk but who quickly falls into the suffering alcoholic role following the death of his son.
The pressure for the actors is giving a believable performance of a real person without it becoming purely mimicry. Small characteristics and foibles seem to have been picked up on which is enough for us to recognise the characters. Vocally Richard Shelton as Sinatra and Alex Giannini as Martin give performances very close to their originals.
There's an unresolved tension in this play. I feel unsure whether the revelations of just how egotistical and sordid the group were is intended to colour my viewpoint of them as entertainers. The close study of the dark and troubled characters that made up the rat pack does nothing to evoke pity or endear them to us but neither does it stop me from appreciating and enjoying the wonderful songs that have kept audiences entertained for decades.
Frank Sinatra: Richard Shelton
Dean Martin: Alex Giannini
Sammy Davis Jr.: Paul Sharma
Peter Lawford: Robin Kingsland
Joey Bishop: Kevin Colson
Band
John Morton: Piano
Steve Smith: Drums and Percussion
Nigel Murgatroyd: Guitars
Steve Peters: Woodwind
Russell Swift: Bass
Director: Giles Croft
Designer: Mark Bailey
Lighting Designer: Jeanine Davies
Musical Director: John Morton
Choreographer: Sam Spencer Lane
2003-08-25 10:12:29