Music review: The Rat Pack Live, C ECA, Lauriston Place

By BRUCE BLACKLAW
Published on 06/08/2012 13:22

Dean Martin serves up a reminder that we live in different times as he takes the stage, wafting a fake cigarette and doing a studied version of careless drunk.

A 12-piece band backs a youthful “Frank”, “Dean” and “Sammy”, accompanied by the “Berelli Sisters” in a mix of solo turns and group numbers. Hard to go too far wrong, given the quality of the source material, but this is an entertaining set, with great songs sung well.

Highlights are Dean on Everybody Loves Somebody, Sammy’s Mr Bojangles, Frank’s Fly Me To the Moon and the group take on That’s Life.

Between songs, the gags and stagecraft are mostly direct imitation, where a little bit more and spontaneity might not go amiss.

There is little question of mistaking the Art College for Las Vegas, nor this “Rat Pack” for the real deal but, if this kind of thing is your bag, you can close your eyes and dream a little with a lively and fun way to kick off a Fringe evening.

Rating: ***

• Until August 27