Eastern Daily Press
“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
PRESS
The American
“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’.
Radio 2
“What a voice! The future belongs to vocalists and Richard Shelton is going to lead the way there!”.
Gillian Reynolds, BBC Radio 2
Londontheatre1.com
"A glorious and compelling masterpiece"
Chris Omaweng - London Theatre
Broadway World
“Hitting all the right notes – Effortlessly smooth – a joy! The audience are unwilling to leave!”
Broadway World
The Telegraph
“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’.
Love London Love Culture
Sinatra Raw "A mesmerising and fascinating show that offers deep insight into the man behind the singer, beautifully performed by Richard Shelton...well pitched (in every sense) performance"
Love London Love Culture - Read Review
The Sunday Telegraph
“Richard Shelton in particular conveys a fearsome impression of how vile Sinatra could be when he was crossed (and sometimes wasn’t).”
John Gross, The Sunday Telegraph, Rat Pack Confidential’
The Stage
'Seemingly effortless style, unforced and highly polished”
Mark Shenton - The Stage
Playbill
“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.”
Sunday Mail
"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
Broadway World
"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
Musical Theatre Review
'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’
Pocket Size Theatre
"As in any great show he leaves you wanting more - more of the music and more of the man"
Nick Wayne – PocketSizeTheatre - Read Review
Broadway Baby
“Superb…a sold-out command performance worthy of a concert stage”
John Murray - Read Review
The Stage
“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’
Reviews Gate
"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
Turner Classic Movies
“Richard Shelton IS Frank Sinatra – it is incredible.”
Howard Mutte-Mewse, Turner Classic Movies – ‘Rat Pack Confidential
CNN Showbiz
“What can I say – Richard Shelton is a true star and gave the most brilliant performance as Frank Sinatra!”
Kate Courtney, CNN Showbiz
BBC
“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’.
Manchester Evening News
“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’
ActDrop
"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"
All About Jazz
“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
Jazz Weekly
'His selection of material is impeccable and his style is shark skin sharp'
George Harris, Jazz Weekly
Cabaret Scenes
‘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
Los Angeles Times
“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.”
Carns Theatre Passion
"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
The LA Examiner
'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’
LondonTheatre1.com
"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
The Spy In The Stalls
“Richard Shelton convincingly takes you back to a time of glamour, booze, and effortless cool that is truly intoxicating”
PRESS SELECTIONS
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.”
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