"Rat Pack Confidential" closes early at Whitehall 15 Nov 03

"Rat Pack Confidential" closes early at Whitehall 15 Nov 03

The Nottingham Playhouse production of The Rat Pack Confidential has posted early closing notices at the Whitehall Theatre after a run of only 3 months. The last performance will be on 15 Nov 03. (The show was originally booking to 6 Dec 03).

Written by Shawn Levy adapted for the stage by Paul Sirett, the show opened at the Whitehall Theatre in Sep 03 to moderate to poor notices from the popular press: FIONA MOUNTFORD for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Levy's version strips these legends bare." IAN JOHNS for THE TIMES says, "A distinctly odd, unsatisfying show." JONATHAN GIBBS for TIME OUT says, "Save yourself the trip: read the book, and put on a CD while you're at it." LYN GARDNER for THE GUARDIAN says, "Overall it is one of those efficient rather than inspired, take-it-or-leave-it evenings." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "A fascinatingly dark evening of light entertainment."

The Rat Pack Confidential is a different show to The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas, which is currently playing at the Strand Theatre, in that where "The Rat Pack from Las Vegas" is more a tribute show, The Rat Pack Confidential is more a stage play.

The play reveals the darker side of the Rat Pack legends and focuses as much on their beguilingly controversial personalities as their music, which includes tunes Come Fly With Me, Let's Face the Music and Dance, The Lady is a Tramp, My Way, Memories are Made of This and Pennies from Heaven.

The cast features five actor-musicians Richard Shelton (Frank Sinatra ), Alex Giannini (Dean Martin), Paul Sharma (Sammy Davis Jnr), Kevin Colson (Joey Bishop), Robin Kingsland (Peter Lawford ).

It is directed by Giles Croft, designed by Mark Bailey, lighting by Jeanine Davies, and choreography by Sam Spencer Lane.