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
“What can I say – Richard Shelton is a true star and gave the most brilliant performance as Frank Sinatra!”
Kate Courtney, CNN Showbiz
“What a voice! The future belongs to vocalists and Richard Shelton is going to lead the way there!”.
Gillian Reynolds, BBC Radio 2
“Perfection, with Sinatra's trademark weighted sibilants and legato phrasing”
Johnny Fox
“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’
"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
"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"
"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"
'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’
"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 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
"As in any great show he leaves you wanting more - more of the music and more of the man"
Nick Wayne – PocketSizeTheatre - 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
“Richard Shelton IS Frank Sinatra – it is incredible.”
Howard Mutte-Mewse, Turner Classic Movies – ‘Rat Pack Confidential
"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
‘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.’
"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"
“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 5-strong cast especially Richard Shelton as an unnervingly authentic Sinatra”
Fiona Mountford
“Richard Shelton convincingly takes you back to a time of glamour, booze, and effortless cool that is truly intoxicating”
“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
'His selection of material is impeccable and his style is shark skin sharp'
George Harris, Jazz Weekly
"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
“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 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.”
“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 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
“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’.
"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 audience at Crazy Coqs were mesmerised and enthralled by Richard Shelton's performance"
West End Wilma - Read Review
"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
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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