The Tap Pack

When I fist reviewed The Tap Pack it was back in 2014 and it was only the pack’s second gig. I found them super talented, full of energy and commitment, enthusiastic but still looking for that element which would enable them to put their stamp on a genre that had all but died out.

Seven years later, they have found it, without losing the magic that made them fresh and innovative in the beginning. They know exactly who they are and are now free to pursue excellence. With talent in spades, that’s not a hard journey.

There’s a conscious effort to recreate that multi-talented era of The Rat Pack, even though none of them were born at the time that showroom/cabaret/Las Vegas lounge genre was alive. They succeed brilliantly. This is two hours (with interval) of brilliant dancing, singing and comedy that is entertaining from its very first minute - with a comedic false opening. It feels spontaneous even though it is carefully put together and impeccably rehearsed.

The three creators - Jesse Rasmussen, Jordan Pollard and Thomas Egan - are centre stage for most of the night and provide the highlights – Jesse gob-smackingly matches feet and hands with his cross rhythms on a Cajon box; Jordan charms with light comedy and the best moonwalk you’ll ever see; Tommy is mind-blowing with his improvised routine which marries more cross rhythms than you can possibly count in an a capella (or whatever the word is for unaccompanied feet) spot. They sing, they juggle, they throw snooker cues, and they tap. BOY do they tap.

Joining them on stage are Tom Struik and Ben Brown, both terrific dancers but also super strong in their vocals. They slot into the pack as though they had always been there, although the Pack itself has always had a list of alternate cast members ready to step in - the best triple threats in the country.

With Musical Director Stefan Nowak providing the arrangements for an absolute kickass band, and a brilliantly designed set and lighting plot, the whole show was excellent with a capital E. There are just a few days of the Queensland tour left, and then a short break before Melbourne, regional NSW and Germany. If you really want to feel good, see it more than once.

Coral Drouyn