The Tap Pack

The Tap Pack is the love child of Jesse Rasmussen, Jordan Pollard and Thomas J Egan, who have combined the style of those kings of cool the Rat Pack and the raw rhythmic dance that is tap. It's a great idea in theory, however what the creators have done is make the mistake of hanging a series of dance numbers on a unimaginative narrative.

In the beginning we meet Blue, an Australian busker who is desperate to perform at the Carnegie Hall. When he arrives in the Big Apple he haplessly meets Four Play - a tribute act which is just one performance away from the poverty-line. Together they form a partnership that runs the lines of the predictable twists and turns. There are some very funny lines but also some that are in just bad taste. The quip about Keira Knightley being slang for a "flat white" coffee is one in particular that sticks out as being offensive but not funny.

On the whole director Nigel Turner-Carroll keeps The Tap Pack moving along at pace which keeps most of the audience engaged and energised. There are great numbers that romp and stomp across the stage and in some cases it's shame that they come to an end and give way to exposition. It's a bit stop / start rather than full steam ahead. An edit of the script could help this and of course this is a new work and therefore there must be allowances made for that.

The cast are all committed and obviously love being a part of something that is unique and fresh. Particular standouts are Ben Brown as Junior, who dances and sings as if he was born doing it, and Jesse Rasmussen, who taps with all the power and punch of a bullet train.

The band, The Tap Pack Bandits, led by Michael Dench on keys, are absolutely fabulous. It's actually worth seeing the show just for their performance.

At times The Tap Pack will have you swinging in your seats, but only if you can forgive some of the silly lines.

Whitney Fitzsimmons