(Richard
Shelton)
Frank Sinatra, one of music's great icons,
is all set to ignite the South African stage in 2019 in a dazzling big band
international show, Sinatra And Me, featuring
celebrated British performer, Richard Shelton who has been described as
"one of the world’s finest Sinatra interpreters". Shelton is an
award-winning actor and singer and his show comes directly from the West End
and Los Angeles.
This highly acclaimed show kicks off in
Durban at the Rockwood Theatre on March 12, 2019, with four shows accompanied by a 7-piece band, before
heading to Gauteng, The Mandela at Joburg Theatre from March 21, and is bound
to hit all the high notes with Sinatra fans.
"I’m very excited to be making my
first visit to South Africa," he says, "and being in the position to
combine my two passions, travel and the music of Frank Sinatra and a big band.
It is the perfect way to make what I hope will be the first of many
visits."
Talking about the show, Shelton says:
"The show focuses on the wonderful music of Sinatra with hits including I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Fly Me to the
Moon, It Was a Very Good Year and One
For My Baby’ as well as lesser known hits, including a very intimate
rendition of My Foolish Heart.
"The show is brought together with a
narrative that looks at my time starring as Sinatra in London’s West End to the
synchronicity between our lives, borne out by many incredible coincidences in
LA including how his tuxedo literally walked into my life, a fact which was
verified by Sir Roger Moore (James Bond) on live TV. I was also one of the last
people to be inside Sinatra’s last home as it was being demolished. It was
completely by chance. We also have
original music in the show including the title track scored for a big-band
arrangement, Sinatra and Me, which we
recorded in East West Studios, LA, where Sinatra recorded My Way and A Very Good Year.
“Naturally, my biggest influence is the
music of Frank Sinatra but also vocal stylings from singers including Billie
Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. Musically, I’m influenced by the
greats including Oscar Peterson, Count Basie but also by a lot of classical
music. I’m drawn to musical arrangements that allow the lyrics to flow. For me,
the lyrics come first. You have to be able to tell a story first and foremost.
That’s not to discredit the music, but unless there’s space to make the lyrics
really mean something for the audience, you have nothing.”
Shelton received a Best Actor in a Leading
Role award for his performance as Frank Sinatra in Rat Pack Confidential. Now South African audiences will get an
opportunity to see him recreate the many magical moments in Sinatra’s musical
career.
He has performed for HRH Prince Charles at
Windsor Castle, for Sir Elton John at his White Tie and Tiara Ball, with the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the BBC Big Band, at
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London and on countless international TV and radio
shows.
As an actor, Shelton is known to British TV
audiences for playing series regular Dr Adam Forsythe in the TV show Emmerdale. He recently made his US TV
debut playing Mr Benson in House of Lies.
Hear the world’s greatest Sinatra
interpreter sing the coolest Sinatra songs – an unforgettable night of song and
storytelling.
Sinatra And Me kicks off the national tour
in Durban at Rockwood Theatre at Sibaya from March 12 to 17 with shows Tuesday
to Saturday at 20h00 and Sunday at 14h00. Ticket prices R200 booked through
www.rockwoodtheatre.co.za/durban or sibaya@rockwoodtheatre.co.za
Sinatra
And Me travels to East London, Port Elizabeth and
Cape Town prior to heading far South to New Zealand.
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