“No one should take lightly standing onstage trying to BE Frank Sinatra, but Richard Shelton is quite simply phenomenal. He captures the essence of the man perfectly. His voice has exactly the right tone; he has that twinkle in his eye; he has the anger that sometimes flowed out of every Sinatra pore.”
Mike Young, BBC, ‘Rat Pack Confidential’.
“A 5-strong cast especially Richard Shelton as an unnervingly authentic Sinatra”
Fiona Mountford
"Fans of Ol' Blue Eyes will enjoy ‘Sinatra: Raw’ as Richard Shelton delivers the story of his life, warts and all and takes us through the highs and lows of Sinatra's incredible career, and he has the voice and patter down pat."
Matt Byrne
"If you’re a fan of Sinatra this show, goose-bumps are guaranteed. Richard Shelton sure knows how to croon, and if you close your eyes his voice is a near perfect imitation of the real deal"
'Simply astounding! It cannot be denied, the synchronicities with Sinatra are extraordinary. His voice, moves and mannerisms, and of, course his look, all create ‘Sinatra’. Incredible vocals, a real class act and fascinating to watch. And if you close your eyes ‘Ol Blue Eyes’ lives again in that moment. Truly remarkable.”
Catherine Francoise, ‘Sinatra and Me’
“The hit songs, interwoven with teasing irony into the story get a rapturous response, especially thanks to Richard Shelton as an unnervingly authentic Sinatra.”
The Stage, ‘Rat Pack Confidential’
“What a voice! The future belongs to vocalists and Richard Shelton is going to lead the way there!”.
Gillian Reynolds, BBC Radio 2
"A play about a life lived as much as it is a tribute concert, ‘Sinatra: Raw’ is the up-close, late night show we all would have wanted to see: Frank, a glass of booze, a microphone and someone to play the piano. Highly recommended"
Weekender - Read Review
“Richard Shelton IS Frank Sinatra – it is incredible.”
Howard Mutte-Mewse, Turner Classic Movies – ‘Rat Pack Confidential
"Sheer brilliance, Richard Shelton channelled Frank Sinatra and Richard left the building. As for the songs, close your eyes and take in the sound, of Richard absolutely nailing Sinatra’s voice, as it washes over you. Open your eyes and the likeness is there for all to see."
Carn's Theatre Passion – Caroline Hanks Farmer - Read Review
"A glorious and compelling masterpiece"
Chris Omaweng - London Theatre
“Sinatra: RAW” stars Richard Shelton, one of the world’s finest Sinatra interpreters. Shelton performed as Frank Sinatra in “Rat Pack Confidential,” a stunning performance that saw him nominated Best Actor in a leading role.”
“Richard Shelton convincingly takes you back to a time of glamour, booze, and effortless cool that is truly intoxicating”
'Seemingly effortless style, unforced and highly polished”
Mark Shenton - The Stage
“Hitting all the right notes – Effortlessly smooth – a joy! The audience are unwilling to leave!”
Broadway World
"The audience at Crazy Coqs were mesmerised and enthralled by Richard Shelton's performance"
West End Wilma - Read Review
"UNMISSABLE! As soon as @RichardShelton started to sing, it was like Frank was in the room with us and we were all in the palm of his hand"
‘As near to being Sinatra himself as dammit. With every song Shelton became Sinatra. The concept of the play is brilliant and the performance uncanny. Shelton skilfully recreated Sinatra's legacy. He portrayed the character with brilliant ease, and with his gift of replicating the stunning vocal ability of his hero he brought Sinatra right into the room.’
Helen Theophanus
"Outstanding - from the opening notes of 'A Very Good Year' Richard Shelton is remarkable, completely transforming into the great man so you would believe he was back in the room with you!"
Broadway World - Read Review
"A full-bodied and well-researched production, the delivery of the songs is spot on. One of those shows that’s over too quickly!"
LondonTheatre1 - Read Review
"As in any great show he leaves you wanting more - more of the music and more of the man"
Nick Wayne – PocketSizeTheatre - Read Review
‘Richard Shelton’s incredible show delves just as deeply into Sinatra, the man and the myth, as it does the music, as Ol’ Blue Eyes contemplates his retirement from music in 1971.’
"A model of its kind – not the usual tribute show hagiography but a warts and all portrait of Old Blue Eyes. Sophisticated and polished, Richard Shelton does Sinatra proud"
Reviewsgate – William Russell - Read Review
“What can I say – Richard Shelton is a true star and gave the most brilliant performance as Frank Sinatra!”
Kate Courtney, CNN Showbiz
“A stand out performance from Richard Shelton as a swaggering steely-eyed son-of-a-bitch Sinatra.”
Alan Hulme, Manchester Evening News, ‘Rat Pack Confidential’
“A superior singer who tips his hat to a legend with grace and elegance in an album that Sinatra himself would be proud of’”
Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
“Singing the hits with style, Sinatra is marvellously played by Richard Shelton with a smile that turns on and off like a light bulb and an edge of near psychotic violence who comes across as a 24-carat bastard.”
Charles Spencer , The Daily Telegraph, ‘Rat Pack Confidential’.
'His selection of material is impeccable and his style is shark skin sharp'
George Harris, Jazz Weekly
“Richard Shelton is an actor who has discovered a way to convey the complexities of Sinatra’s character. He has an uncanny connection to the character of Sinatra. He has got, to paraphrase Cole Porter, Sinatra under his skin.”
Shawn Levy – author of Rat Pack Confidential
"Singing his way through that famous back catalogue Richard Shelton reminds us what made Sinatra such an undeniable star, as he croons, you can feel the world melt away"
Theatre Weekly - Read Review
The Daily Telegraph - ‘Sinatra without the sin’
– Charles Spencer
“Sinatra is marvellously played by Richard Shelton, with a smile that turns on and off like a lightbulb and an edge of near psychotic violence. He sings the hits with style, while also capturing Sinatra’s domineering and often downright ugly personality.
BBC – Mike Young
“No-one should take lightly standing onstage and trying to be Frank Sinatra. But Richard Shelton is quite simply phenomenal. He captures the essence of the man perfectly. His voice has exactly the right tone; he has that twinkle in his eye; he has the anger that sometimes flowed out of every Sinatra pore.”
Manchester Evening News - ‘Yes, they were rats’ – Alan Hulme
“They did it their way. They did drugs, booze and pimped for JFK. They did kinky sex too. They were the Rat Pack. The stand out performances come from Richard Shelton as a steely-eyed swaggering son of a bitch Sinatra.”
The Times – ‘Planet Hollywood Laid Bare’ - Benedict Nightingale
“This play shows the tawdry truth behind the macho myth. Never more so than when it’s dealing with Richard Shelton’s splendidly tough yet laid-back performance as authentic a rat as a pack-leader.”
Alongside social media Richard also has a dedicated Mailing List to keep in touch.
Just like a Fan Club, the Mailing List will keep you updated on Richard's news as well as current and future projects, tours, and all things Shelton!
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