The Tap Pack at Sydney Opera House.
Five of Australia’s finest tap and theatre performers dazzle and delight us – featuring Thomas J Egan (Singing in the Rain, Fame The Musical, The Great Gatsby), Jordan Pollard (Avenue Q, Anything Goes, West Side Story), Sean Mulligan (Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia!), Tom Struick (Boys in the Band, The Voice) and Mark Hill.
The Tap Pack is a full cabaret atmosphere with table service and the show.
Created by Jordan Pollard, Jesse Rasmussen and Thomas J. Egan The Tap Pack is based on the idea of the “Rat Pack”. Throughout the night we are treated to a modern twist on the classic moves, tunes and banter in the style of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. The high-octane show was laced with choreographic allusions to 1950s rock and roll, as well as musicals such as The Pajama Game and Chicago, then updating to the modern stylings with a nod to Michael Jackson. Each of the cast tells the audience a bit about themselves and how they became involved in tap and dance – there is glorious rapport between the team.
The Tap Pack at Sydney Opera House.
The audience was wowed by the vivacious ensemble routines. The slick medley of hip-hop type numbers were contrasted with dazzling solo tributes to Sammy Davis Jr., Fred Astaire and Michael Jackson that reminded us why their dance moves have become classics. The ensemble unison dancing was incredibly precise and polished. The Astaire tribute included ‘Putting’ On the Ritz’ came with white canes and honorary Ginger Rogers, fellow cast member Thomas J Egan, impressively tapped danced backwards in white kitten heels.
The two musicians, Stefan Nowak and Dom Cabrera, were terrific at setting the scene with their musicality. There were movable stairs at either side of the raised stage, and for some of the solos a small wooden board with resin was used. There was audience participation that got the crowd clapping and joining along.
The Tap Pack is entertaining, accessible for all ages and includes some witty banter as well as amazing dancing.
Deliciously classy, smooth and stylish this is a joyously exhilarating show that had the audience screaming for more.
4 stars ★★★★
The Tap Pack
Featuring Thomas J Egan, Jordan Pollard, Sean Mulligan, Tom Struick and Mark Hill.
17 October – 4 November 2018
Studio Sydney, Opera House
