This year the Ember Big Band has secured the talented services of Norman Pace to host the show, as well as Strictly Come Dancing Musical Director Allan Rogers. 

Norman, half of well-known comedy duo of the 80s Hale & Pace, has been performing in theatre in recent years starring in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre and touring with the Rocky Horror Show. 

For the past 11 years, Allan has been Musical Director on the Strictly Come Dancing Arena Tour playing at iconic venues including the O2 and Wembley Arena. 

This year’s concert tells the story of the Rat Pack – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford – a legendary brotherhood of tuxedoed, loveable rogues who took Las Vegas, and the rest of the world, by storm. The show contains some of the greatest songs ever written, including ‘Mack the Knife’, ‘My Funny Valentine’ and ‘Luck Be a Lady Tonight’. 

Both Allan and Norman are looking forward to the evening – as Allan says,  ‘It’s a treat working with a great twenty-piece band – and The Ember Band are a really talented bunch. This show is a ‘must’ for lovers of the Great American Song Book.’ Norman agrees and says, ’having been part of a comedy TV partnership like Hale and Pace it’s going to feel strange hosting a show without Gareth Hale by my side! But singing those Rat Pack hits with a 20-piece band is an amazing experience – especially as the show is supporting Princess Alice Hospice.” 

The event is being held at Leatherhead Theatre on 27 September, raising funds for the Hospice. We hope to see you there!