'Shelton is the essence of cool. Deserving of audiences on both side of the Atlantic, Richard Shelton is the most evanescent of entertainers with pathos and longevity in his voice, and should be celebrated for his craftsmanship in his own right ”
Bonnie Priever, The LA Examiner – ‘Sinatra and Me’
"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 both mesmerizing and disturbing as Sinatra. He is smooth and
charming in demeanor as he croons, but in a second displays a more private, volatile side to his nature and a life littered with indiscretions.”
“Shelton reproduces Sinatra’s dark, rich, warm, baritone with such effortless precision that you are totally transported. He even manages to connect with Sinatra’s vulnerability, which is of course what singled him out and made him an icon”
Jarlath O’Connell, ‘Sinatra and Me’.
‘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
"Richard Shelton delivers pure gold with wonderful singing that captures every subtle nuance of Sinatra's style - so similar in fact that one could be listening to a recording except we're most definitely not"
"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
“Superb…a sold-out command performance worthy of a concert stage”
John Murray - Read Review
“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’
“Perfection, with Sinatra's trademark weighted sibilants and legato phrasing”
Johnny Fox
“Richard Shelton is both mesmerising and disturbing as Sinatra and his rendition of ‘In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning’ was worth the ticket price alone.”
Eastern Daily Press
"Richard Shelton’s masterful take on Ol’ Blue Eyes is a must-see. Pitched somewhere between concert and confessional, this modest show has greatness in it."
"Shelton’s vocals are remarkable, manifesting not only Sinatra’s sliding rhythms and nuanced phrasing, but also the timbre of that famous instrument.
His voice wraps you up. It helps that the Sinatra songbook contains pure gold. But, again, the veracity of Shelton’s flinty performance adds a fillip to his interpretations of the music."
Donald Hutera
“Sinatra emerges as the worst kind of playground bully and Richard Shelton captures perfectly his string-pulling menace.”
Michael Billington, The Guardian, ‘Rat Pack Confidential’.
"The audience at Crazy Coqs were mesmerised and enthralled by Richard Shelton's performance"
West End Wilma - Read Review
"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
“What a voice! The future belongs to vocalists and Richard Shelton is going to lead the way there!”.
Gillian Reynolds, BBC Radio 2
"It is not only the voice that gives this show its particular essence, Richard Shelton seems to put the cloak of Mr Sinatra on his back and Sinatra's heart into his own being... a most enjoyable evening's entertainment"
Remote Goat - Read Review
“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
"Combining unapologetic dialogue with songs delivered in pitch perfect style, Richard Shelton effortlessly carries off the role of Sinatra, getting the showman and the person behind the image down to a tee"
Daily Business Magazine - Read Review
“A 5-strong cast especially Richard Shelton as an unnervingly authentic Sinatra”
Fiona Mountford
“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
"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"
"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
'His selection of material is impeccable and his style is shark skin sharp'
George Harris, Jazz Weekly
“Hitting all the right notes – Effortlessly smooth – a joy! The audience are unwilling to leave!”
Broadway World
"A glorious and compelling masterpiece"
Chris Omaweng - London Theatre
“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’.
"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
“What can I say – Richard Shelton is a true star and gave the most brilliant performance as Frank Sinatra!”
Kate Courtney, CNN Showbiz
"As in any great show he leaves you wanting more - more of the music and more of the man"
Nick Wayne – PocketSizeTheatre - 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.
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