Introducing... The new Rat Pack

THE Rat Pack. They were the coolest of the cool, suave, sophisticated lounge lizards who charmed the rich and famous of Las Vegas throughout the 1950s and 60s – none more so than Sammy Davis Jnr, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

At the Edinburgh Playhouse next week, audiences can relive the glamour and glitz of those hot desert evenings, when The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas returns to town for a week-long run.

For singer, dancer and actor Alonzo Saunders, who plays the legendary Sammy Davis, it will be a chance to reacquaint himself with the Capital.

"I was in Edinburgh with The Rat Pack a few years ago, what a beautiful city," he says.

"I think, as an American, Edinburgh is what a lot of Americans imagine Scotland to look like, a castle on a hill, beautiful green fields, buildings with great character. I love it. I think it was one of the first times I was actually happy to be a tourist."

Having starred on Broadway in the 1996 Tony award-winning revival of Bob Fosse's Chicago as Mary Sunshine, as well as performing in the 1995 Tony Award-winning musical epic Showboat, Saunders is no stranger to musical theatre.

He has also played Jacob in productions of La Cage Aux Folles and appeared in Oliver and A Chorus Line.

The all-rounder admits, "I thrive on a challenge. I love being put to the test, especially on stage. To release all my inhibitions to find a certain character to find that spirit. Whether it's a play or a musical, I try to dive right in and create something real and tangible."

His last trip to Edinburgh was not the first time Saunders had stepped into Sammy Davis Jnr's shoes either. As well as starring in the London West End production, he has also toured Europe in the role.

"I was a fan of the Rat Pack before landing this role, but perhaps more now. I have always been a fan of Sammy. He paved the way for black entertainers. I was definitely influenced by him when I was doing musical theatre growing up. He, along with Frank, Dean and Peter Lawson were American royalty."

Saunders, who was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but brought up in Atlanta from the age of ten, continues, "I loved researching this role and was surprised to discover that Sammy talked his wife into having a famous porn star live with them because he had a thing for her. Can you imagine? I also learned that he took very good care of his dad and uncle who gave him his start, long after he had become a star."

The Rat Pack Live celebrates the incredible singing talents of three of the world's most famous entertainers and some of the finest songs that have ever been written.

Back when the famous rubbed shoulders with politicians and partied hard, Sinatra, Davis and Martin were the all-singing, all- dancing entertainers who everyone wanted.

Joining Saunders on stage to complete the trio are Stephen Triffitt as ol' blue eyes and Nigel Casey as Deano.

Together they bring the three legendary characters back together again to perform all time classics such The Lady Is A Tramp, Mr Bojangles, I've Got You Under My Skin, That's Amore, For Once In A Lifetime, New York, New York, My Kinda Town, Fly Me to the Moon, Volare, Me And My Shadow and of course My Way – all with the accompaniment of a 15-piece orchestra.

"My favourites are What Kind Of Fool Am I and Mr Bojangles," says Saunders. "I don't try to imitate Sammy when I sing, but capture his essence and energy.

"I love the stage and the audience. Sammy so appreciated his audiences and had such distinct mannerisms. I try to find those similarities in me. There are times when I'm on stage and I feel like his spirit has taken over."

So if you wish you'd been able to swing with the hardest partying pack in town – or were just too young to do so at the time – now's your chance.

• The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas, Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, Monday-Friday, 7.30pm (Thursday matinee 2.30pm), Saturday, 4.30pm and 8pm, £15-£27.50, 0800-587 5007