The Rat Pack – Live in Concert
The Tyne Theatre and Opera House | 18th July 2025
Review by Stephen Stokoe
I celebrated my birthday this week and I have enjoyed some amazing theatre including a wonderful play at Live Theatre yesterday and this fantastic concert this evening after a lovely meal in one of the many nearby restaurants available for pre-theatre food. Then a brief stroll to take our seats at the historic and glorious Tyne Theatre and Opera House.
It is not often, when I am reviewing, that I get to meet the company of the show I am about to see but, under serendipitous circumstances, I was afforded that treat before seeing The Rat Pack – Live in Concert this evening. The enthusiasm that comes out of this incredibly talented group of actors, singers and musicians is astonishing. For the performer who embodies the talents and charisma of Frank Sinatra, Joseph O’Brien, it is all about keeping alive the music of this notorious history in musical excellence. For Chris Weeks, who performs as Dean Martin, it is all about the experience. It is giving people in 2025 the opportunity to be part of the atmosphere of The Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in its pomp. I have to say that their enthusiasm is not misplaced and that they are both spot on.
The Sands Hotel was a legendary venue which hosted many famous performers of the time including Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin. It was also used as a location for the filming of the original Oceans’ 11 movie which, of course, starred Sinatra. It has a chequered history and is deeply mired in accusations of being operated by mob bosses and as a money laundering vessel for organised crime. The Sands Hotel ceased trading as recently as 1996 and was demolished the same year to make way for a new resort called The Venetian which remains on the site to this very day.
History lesson over, it is a brave company who try to recreate the atmosphere and history of such an iconic entertainment venue as the Copa Room which was the show room of The Sands Hotel. Even before the stars take to the stage, the audience is greeted by music from the era. The stage is adorned with the faces of the trio of legends and the big band led by Graham Taylor take their places as the headline act, Frank Sinatra is announced onto the stage. As Joseph O’Brien takes to the stage, he looks every inch Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, complete with a self assured swagger as the launches into the opening number. The audience were stunned into an awed silence as his vocals rang round this equally historic venue in the north east of England and settled back comfortable in the knowledge that they were in for a treat.
Much has been written about the legendary performances at The Sands by multi-talented dancer, singer and raconteur, Sammy Davis Jr and taking on this formidable presence was Jôb Pedro Angus. Angus gave a stunningly accurate portrayal of this self effacing performer including singing his most famous ballad Mr Bojangles to the delight of the audience this evening. He also joined in with the camaraderie for which The Rat Pack are most famous. He even entertained with some nimble tap dancing of his own.
Last to take to the stage in the first act of this production was Chris Weeks who effortlessly took on the persona of ‘The Tipsy Crooner’ Dean Martin. While, it is known that Martin did enjoy the occasional drink, his drunk character while he performed was used to his advantage and by Frank and Sammy Davis to add to the ‘cool’ image they wanted to convey to their audiences. Weeks, tonight, was clearly thoroughly enjoying himself, and this emanated out into the audience who welcomed his dulcet laid back tones as he performed Volaré and That’s Amore to rapturous applause.
In-keeping with the feel of the evening, the Rat Pack regularly invited the audience to make their appreciation felt for the band playing tirelessly behind them and quite rightly so. This big band was made up of eight of the most talented swing musicians I have had to the pleasure to listen to in recent times. Aside from the affable and jovial Graham Taylor, I am unable to name the others but I have to mention the stunning solo efforts of the double bass player and some exquisite talent from the saxophones and brass which had the hairs on the back of my neck standing to attention on more than one occasion. Taylor himself gave a virtuoso performance tickling the ivories accompanying ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ while keeping time throughout the performance with skill and a twinkle in his eye.
Much has been written recently about audience behaviour. Right at the start of this production, the compère welcomed audience members to take photos (without flash) as much as they wished. They were also invited to ‘Sing along when invited to.’ This was a welcome change from the rules and regulations that are often barked out at the beginning of a theatrical performance. The audience this evening were by no means well behaved – in a theatre etiquette sense, but that only added to the ambience of what the performers were trying to achieve and, for me, achieve it they did. By the end of the show I really felt that I had seen something very special indeed, that it was an experience and there is no doubt whatsoever, that I would do it again.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet the cast of The Rat Pack – Live in Concert. To a person, they were friendly, polite and so enthusiastic about their show that they are a credit not only to the theatre but to The Rat Pack and their band they are so lovingly and effectively emulating.
As they continue to tour the UK, I welcome everyone to start spreading the news, The Rat Pack is back!