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The Rat Pack Is
Back Live at Southport Theatre
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According to Nancy Sinatra; the daughter of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself,
Frank Sinatra, tribute act David Alacey’s rendition of New York, New
York is far too close for comfort. The Star of the Rat Pack Is
Back! Stage show, David who trained as an actor at The Italia Conti
Academy in London, recorded a note perfect version of the classic
song for use as the signature tune to a new computer game to be
released by Atari. Accompanied by a 35 piece big band, David spent a
day in London’s famous Abbey Road recording studios recreating New
York, New York for use on the game Tycoon City New York.
"Performing New York, New York is second nature to me. In the 15
years I’ve been playing Sinatra, I’ve sung it live more than 1,500
times. In the studio it was a matter of going over absolutely every
syllable separately to ensure it was a really spot-on cover."
says David.
David says Atari chose him over all the other Sinatra tributes in
the world because he is one of the few performers who portrays the
singing legend as he entered the latter part of his career.
"New York, New York was recorded in 1980, Frank would have been 65
years old. There needs to be subtle changes to the phrasing to his
earlier recordings to ensure you create an authentic version of the
song." says David.
When Tycoon City New York; featuring David’s vocals; was released in
the States, Nancy Sinatra objected that the soundtrack was too
authentic and Atari were guilty of passing off. The game’s UK
release was delayed as a consequence and eventually released minus
David’s vocals. David can be seen as Sinatra in The Rat Pack Is Back
at Southport Thearter with Paul Drakeley as Dean Martin and Des
Coleman as Sammy Davis Jnr. The Rat Pack were the definition
of cool during their Fifties and Sixties Vegas heyday. Frank
Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr, collectively known as the
Rat Pack, combined the sound of swing with charisma, panache and
swagger. The trio had attitude to spare.
"It’s the UK’s original Rat Pack concert show; a brilliant
production with real musical pedigree. We are really looking forward
to coming to Southport Thearter, as the theatre has real variety
history, making it a perfect venue for our trip down memory lane."
says David.
Soap opera fans will recall Des Coleman as Lenny in "Eastenders",
the part he played with great popularity for over four years. Since
then, Des has been seen regularly as a reporter on "The One
Show" also for The BBC, when not touring as Sammy Davis Jnr
with The Rat Pack is Back.
Des who recently won a prestigious Royal Television Society award
has great memories of Southport:- "I used to spend a lot of
time here socially in the nineties and we always had a great time
because the people are so friendly. So I think that we will have a
gas during and after the show."
The band is led by Don Hunt a musical director who actually worked
with Sammy Davis Jnr on 2 TV specials. The cast of The Rat
Pack is Back have also recently graced the stage at a Royal Command
Performance for HRH The Princess Royal and performed for former
President Clinton at a Gala concert held at The Round House in
London. New York New York is one of 150 world-famous songs the
show can draw from in its set list. Thus, just like Frank, Dean and
Sammy in their prime, The Rat Pack Is Back! is spontaneous, with
performers responding to audience requests. It includes all the
razzamatazz of the Rat Pack’s infamous live stage show and one luck
lady in the audience will even have the chance to replace Nancy by
joining Frank on stage for the hit duet "Somethin’ Stupid"
– Memories really are made of this!
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Savings must not
be used to subsidise dodgy infrastructure projects
"THERE may be some sensible
infrastructure investments that are as good as other investments,
that's fine; but we can't have the £140 billion LGPS funds used as a
politician’s plaything." says GMB
GMB commented on the revelation that the Treasury and the Local
Government Association (LGA) have been having secret talks about
using Local Government Pension Schemes funds (LGPS) to pay for
infrastructure projects.
Brian Strutton GMB National Secretary for Public Services said in a
press release that:- "The money in these pension funds are
union members savings for their retirements. They are not a Treasury
resource. The funds are savings belonging to local government
workers and they should be invested well. I'm very surprised that
Treasury and the Local Government Association have been discussing
the use of our member’s pension savings to support government
infrastructure projects like roads and railways. There has been no
discussion with us which is very worrying. Given that government
wants staff to take more responsibility for the cost of their
pensions we have an absolute right to have a say in how those
pension savings are invested. GMB intend that this right is
exercised by our members. There may be some sensible infrastructure
investments that are as good as other investments; that's fine; but
we can't have the £140 billion LGPS funds used as a politician’s
plaything. Pension fund savings cannot be gambled on projects which
are financially dodgy due to risks of cost escalations from
planning, design or other problems. Government has worked with
National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) to come up with ways
for private sector pension schemes to invest in infrastructure
projects safely and GMB will be happy to help do the same for the
LGPS. But GMB can't have our members' pension pots raided to pay for
pet projects for politicians. That is not fair and probably
unlawful."
Do you agree with the GMB? Email us your views on this topic to:-
news24@southportreporter.com.
Elderly Residents Plan 715 mile Torch
Relay to Celebrate Olympics
HUNDREDS of elderly
residents living in 29 ExtraCare Charitable Trust retirement schemes
and villages across the country, including Reeve Court Village in St
Helens, are getting active in the run-up to the London 2012 Games,
bearing their own torch in a 715 mile relay. The torch will be
coming to St Helens on 17 April 2012 and staying for a few days
until residents and staff take it to Sheffield, travelling in
vintage cars and buses. The ExtraCare Challenge, launched this
week by former Olympic long-distance runner Dave Moorcroft, is a
celebration of activity, health and social opportunity in later
years. Involving a mix of activities (including gyms, running,
and cycling) and transportation (including hot air balloons, boats,
and golf buggies), the ExtraCare torch’s 5 month long journey will
finish at Shenley Wood Village in Milton Keynes on 27 July 2012, the
day of the Olympic opening ceremony. Seb Coe, Chair of the
London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic
Games, said:- "The ExtraCare Challenge is encouraging older
people around the country to fulfil their potential. I am proud that
with the help of partners such as ExtraCare, we are delivering our
vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to
boost participation in sports and other physical activities."
Nick Abbey, Chief Executive of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said
that he was looking forward to the ExtraCare Challenge. He added:-
"It is a clear demonstration of our collective drive and
imagination that we should unite and bear ExtraCare’s own Olympic
torch from scheme to village and village to scheme – travelling to
29 sites, with thousands of miles and countless activities involved
– culminating in a grand celebration at our brand new Shenley Wood
Village next summer. I suspect it will be one heck of a trip!"
For more information, please visit:-
extracare.org.uk and also go
to:-
london2012.com/inspire-programme
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