Page 172 - Palace Theatre News

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The Redditch Standard Archives – 6 September 2015

Ole Blue Eyes and friends on the road for the Palace in Redditch -
2015

IN THE 1960s at the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, three Kings of Swing entertained delighted
crowds. They were Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr singing such well-
known songs such as Come Fly with Me, the Lady is a Tramp and That’s Amoré.
Skip forward 50 or so years and the Kings of Swing return for a night of Vegas showbiz,
bringing back the smooth sounds of the 1960s, soothing, impeccable voices and backed by
dazzling showgirls in feathers and sequins as the Palace Theatre, Redditch presents the Rat
Pack Vegas Spectacular Show.
Unfortunately with the real Frank, Dean and Sammy unable to join us, their place will be
taken by a set of fantastic substitutes. Roman Marek perfectly portrays the “Chairman of the
Board”, Frank Sinatra, seductively powerful with hits like My Way.
Wayne Kennedy, who also directs the show, nails his performance of ‘Dino’, Dean Martin
with tunes like King of the Road while Jim Whitley thrills as Sammy Davies Jnr, with his
rendition of Mr Bojangles which will send shivers down the spine.
The fab threesome also come together for knockout performances of hits such as Fever, My
Kind of Town, Sway and Birth of the Blues.
The show covers all the expected hits, along with some entertaining performances by the
showgirls.
In between sets fans can get a feel for the tongue in cheek comedy that the Rat Pack were
famous for, with several references to how much alcohol Dean drank and the dark racial
humour Sammy was renowned for.
All this is cemented together with a live band packed with passion for the music they’re
playing hitting a screscendo with the big finale which is everyone’s favourite number, the
huge hit New York New York.

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