2:26pm Thursday 18th February 2010
By Katherine MacAlister
Bringing Sinatra and the Rat Pack to life should be child’s play for Tam Ward, writes KATHERINE MACALISTER.
Tam Ward was always spellbound when listening to his uncle singing Gene Kelly by the fireside. His family gatherings in Scotland always ended in song, and even his gran would have a go.
Tam, now 40, has therefore been singing for as long as he can remember, so when he beat off stiff opposition for the Frank Sinatra part in The Rat Pack, he already knew all the tunes.
Tam, (pictured, on left), also says his voice just “lends itself” to that of Sinatra, because he’s a natural crooner.
Which is good news for The Rat Pack brigade because, after a whirlwind cast change, Tam is now fronting this sensational show, coming to Oxford’s New Theatre from Monday.
“I’ve just got back from the States where I did the US leg, and when I returned found I’d been put forward for the Frank Sinatra spot,” he says.
No pressure, then. “Well, we aren’t trying to obliterate The Rat Pack or replace them, just evoke their spirit so that people are reminded what a fabulous combination they were,” Tam says in his Scottish brogue.
“The Rat Pack is great because there’s no cheesiness; we just want to make it as authentic as possible.
“So we have photos of the original line-up (Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr and Dean Martin) on the set. And while it’s not an impersonation show, there are moments when you feel like you are right back there.”
“Back there” being Las Vegas in the early 60s when The Rat Pack, as they were known, were as notorious on stage as off. So how far does Tam try to replicate the legendary Sinatra (pictured, on right)? “I don’t think the audience wants to know too much about the offstage antics, and when you look into it, it gets a bit dark in places. So I just try to remember that it’s all about the music. That’s what the audience is there for.”
As for Tam, keeping his voice in tip-top condition means it’s impossible to stay up until the early hours of the morning.
“I wouldn’t be able to cope with the show if I was out every night, so there is no debauchery,” he smiles. “I have to be there with bells on every night and have the voice to do it, so I can’t drink much, but that’s quite good, because it keeps me in check.”
But on a rare break from his touring Tam races back to Scotland to visit his family and friends and makes up for lost time by letting his hair down in style.
The Rat Pack is at Oxford’s New Theatre from Monday. Call the box office on 0844 8471585
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