Carry On star joins The Rat Pack

CARRY ON STAR ANITA HARRIS JOINS THE RAT PACK AT THE THEATRE ROYAL 

The Rat Pack with Special Guest Anita Harris

VOTED NUMBER 1 TRIBUTE SHOW BY THE AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AT THE NATIONAL TRIBUTE AWARDS 

On Thursday 16th August, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr will be back to entertain audiences of the 21st Century in their own unique way, for a special concert full of music, laughter and sophisticated style.

David Alacey’s outstanding show The Rat Pack Is Back, Britain’s longest running tribute to the original trio, comes to Dumfries. The show has performed at a Royal Command performance, Leicester Square Theatre in London’s West End and recently The O2 arena in London. This year, the guys are also joined by their special guest, the legendary Anita Harris who will be performing her hits including Just Loving You, and The Anniversary Waltz.

The show accurately recreates the legendary performances of the pre-eminent entertainers of their time, together on stage.

Audience members will be surprised to see former EastEnders star Des Coleman playing the role of the versatile Sammy Davis Jnr. Des is best known for his role as Lenny in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he played for four years together with appearances in many West End Musicals including Rent and Porgy and Bess.

David Alacey joins Des as Ol' Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra. Former Young Musician of The Year finalist Paul Drakeley completes the line up as Dean Martin. 

They are backed by the swinging Buddy Greco Orchestra under the direction of BBC Musical director Mac Shone.

Although Frank, Dean and Sammy ruled the entertainment world with hit records and classic movies such as Oceans Eleven and Robin and The Seven Hoods, they were also part of a unique period in entertainment history, when entertainers enjoyed the company of influential friends such as JFK, Martin Luther King and even Mafia don - Sam Giancana. However, working with a live audience was what they enjoyed doing most of all and it was in a concert environment that they really established their place in history.  All three had long and successful solo careers, which were enhanced by their work together. This was a relationship which lasted from the 1950s until their final appearances together in 1988 for the apt titled Together Again tour.

The Rat Pack Show includes all of the hit songs made popular by the legendary performers such as Ain’t That A Kick In The Head, The Lady Is A Tramp, My Way, Mr Bojangles and of course, New York New York. 

For Anita Harris, coming to Scotland is always a pleasure.  “We always have such great times there” says Anita. “The people are fantastic and never forget you; when I did a show near Dumfries a few years ago, people came backstage to remind me about some of the great times I have had in the area over the years”

Anita was one of the stars of the legendary Carry On series of movies. She is also a complete all-round entertainer, harking back to the great days of Variety.

Des Coleman sums up the respect that Anita receives in the entertainment world; “It’s an honour to be working with her and learning from her on this tour and we have a great time on the road together. She says that this show reminds her of the camaraderie that the cast of those fabulous Carry On films shared. To think that she was part of that legendary group along with the likes of Sid James and Kenneth Williams and before that was actually a Showgirl in Las Vegas performing in shows alongside head-liners such as Vic Damone, Jerry Lewis and Sinatra himself – what a career!”

Anita is of course no stranger to Las Vegas, having started her career as a dancer there and returning recently to star alongside the likes of Kenny Lynch and Canon and Ball in the hit ITV series Last Laugh In Vegas. In this show she will also be passing on memories of working in Vegas then and now.

This show once again reunites Frank, Dean and Sammy together for one night only, so don't miss the chance to join the boys in a spectacular evening – Memories really are made of this!