Crooners comes to the Lichfield Garrick this February with a brand new comedy musical that puts a quintessential British twist to a genre symbolised by the crooner and exemplified by the music of the Rat Pack and the American Song Book.

This comedy musical is a collaboration between comedy writer and performer Roman Marek and one of the UK’s most prolific modern swing bands, The Mini Big Band. Featuring music of the greatest crooners of all time; Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr as well as Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin and Britain’s very own crooner, Matt Monro, Crooners will leave audiences smiling ear to ear.

“We love the music of the Rat Pack and the great crooners and wanted to combine that with our love of the British variety comedy show,” says script writer Marek. “We wanted a show that makes audiences laugh out loud. An all singing, all dancing musical comedy with echoes of Morecombe and Wise.”

Crooners follows the story of three very British gentlemen who, by their very nature, exhume the characteristics of a crooner; suave, self-assured, stylish, but, by the very same nature, it is not always obvious that these characteristics adopt quite so well by the quintessentially British. Cue a splendiferous injection of British comedy, tongue firmly in cheek.

The line up includes former Manchester City, Wrexham and Northern Ireland footballer Jim Whitley, who has exchanged his football boots for tap shoes. After injury cut short Jim’s football career, he broke into the theatre world with his portrayal of Nat King Cole in the production of Christmas Crooners and Strictly Swing before joining the Rat Pack tour as Sammy Davis Jr to critical acclaim. He is now excited to be part of this brand show that plays homage to music he loves; “We’re playing the music of all the greats completely live with an ace band, while throwing in some British comedy that’s had me rolling around in laughter” said Whitley.

The show includes the fully live on stage musicianship of the 10-piece modern swing band The Mini Big Band. The is going to be a swingin’ affair!

Crooners runs at the Lichfield Garrick on Saturday 24 February at 7.30pm. Tickets are £25 and can be booked online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling the Box Office on 01543 412121.