Press

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

Advertiser.com.au

‘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.’

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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

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

The Stage

'Seemingly effortless style, unforced and highly polished”

Mark Shenton - The Stage

The Guardian

“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’.

Londontheatre1.com

"A glorious and compelling masterpiece"

Chris Omaweng - London Theatre

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’.

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.”

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’

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

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"

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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

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

West End Wilma

"The audience at Crazy Coqs were mesmerised and enthralled by Richard Shelton's performance"

West End Wilma - Read Review

Broadway Baby

“Superb…a sold-out command performance worthy of a concert stage”

John Murray - Read Review

Entertainment Focus

"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"

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Turner Classic Movies

“Richard Shelton IS Frank Sinatra – it is incredible.”

Howard Mutte-Mewse, Turner Classic Movies – ‘Rat Pack Confidential

London Evening Standard

“A 5-strong cast especially Richard Shelton as an unnervingly authentic Sinatra”

Fiona Mountford

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

Jazz Weekly

'His selection of material is impeccable and his style is shark skin sharp'

George Harris, Jazz Weekly

Broadway World

“Hitting all the right notes – Effortlessly smooth – a joy! The audience are unwilling to leave!”

Broadway World

The Times

"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

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

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

The Spy In The Stalls

“Richard Shelton convincingly takes you back to a time of glamour, booze, and effortless cool that is truly intoxicating”

thespyinthestalls.com - Read Review

One 4 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"

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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’

Shawn Levy

“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

The Times

“Richard Shelton’s splendidly tough yet laid back performance as authentic a rat and a pack-leader.” -

Benedict Nightingale, The Times, ‘Rat Pack Confidential’

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.”