Fly me to the moon: Meet the world-famous Frank Sinatra tribute from Wolverhampton
For years Richard Shelton has felt a special affinity with Frank Sinatra as fate kept pushing them together.
Now the LA-based actor and singer, who grew up in Wolverhampton, is bringing Ol’ Blue Eyes to life in his critically acclaimed show Sinatra: RAW.
And when he starts singing at Birmingham’s Old Join Stock Theatre next week he hopes to convince audiences that the Chairman of the Board is actually in the room.
“My aim is to evoke a moment in time with Sinatra, so audiences feel they’ve actually met the great man and heard what he really thinks about a life in show business and becoming the icon the world knows and loves today,” says Richard, who will be known to television audiences as the charming but murderous Dr Adam Forsythe in Emmerdale.
Setting the scene for the show, he says: “It’s 1971 – ‘The Purple Room’ club in Palm Springs. Frank Sinatra prepares for his last intimate, pre-retirement show. People jostle for position and the air is electric with anticipation. But he’s disillusioned with the music scene and he drinks ‘One For My Baby’ too many.
“He starts to reminisce things take a surprising turn. This is the 2am Sinatra you dream of meeting – dangerous, unpredictable, startling, brilliant. The music supports the narrative and it’s a warts and all portrayal, so expect some surprises.”
It’s already received great reviews following a hugely successful Edinburgh Fringe season and a run at London’s Brasserie Zede and Richard says he’s been delighted by the response from audiences.
“I’m thrilled – very grateful. It’s the first play I’ve ever written and it’s daunting to be judged on my writing as well as my performance. In writing it, I sought to unearth what people don’t know, so they’ll learn something fresh about him.
“That can be challenging when people already know so much about someone so famous, but I discovered some amazing facts and managed to put them in a dramatic context, which is all supported by the music. I’ve had some fabulous reviews in both Edinburgh and London, which is very encouraging.”
The underbelly of the icon
Richard had known from young age that he had a strong connection with the Rat Pack star having been struck by the facial similarities between them after seeing a childhood photograph of the singer.
“I first played him in the hard-hitting drama, ‘Rat Pack Confidential’ in London’s West End which led to a Best Actor in a Leading Role’ nomination.
“It was fascinating delving into the underbelly of the icon, finding out what made him tick. That led to performances across the world, ranging from big bands and orchestras to intimate jazz clubs.
“I also have an uncanny life synchronicity with Sinatra and we share some truly amazing coincidences, including his tuxedo literally walking into my life as a result of recording at Capitol Studios in LA, and being one of the last people alive inside his last home as it was about to be demolished.
“My relationship with him is primarily as an actor, so what happens comes from the inside – I ‘feel’ what’s happening, so that what comes out is honest,” he tells Weekend.
When asked how he gets into character before a performance, he says: “The tuxedo helps get you in the mood but essentially, I just remove myself. Some people ask what it’s like stepping into his shiny shoes but to paraphrase a certain song, it’s more to do with going behind the blue eyes and just allowing him ‘Under My Skin’.”
Sinatra is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.
Weekend asked Richard why he thinks his songs and music have stood the test of the time. “Because he tells the truth,” he says.
“When he sings of being happy, you’re right up there, ‘Flying to the Moon’ with him. When he sings of sadness, you’re alongside him in the bar, in the ‘Wee Small Hours of the Morning’.
“He lived every song and then some, and no-one tells a story better than him when he sings. He also knew the extremes of life – the up’s and down’s, the winning and losing.
“Combine that with the most beautiful singing voice and perfect phrasing, and you get a pretty potent cocktail,” adds Richard.
With so many to choice from, does he have a favourite song, we ask?
“I think it’s ‘In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning’. It’s such a simple song but the way Sinatra sings it is so full of meaning, that it almost hurts. In it, there’s a lyric, ‘You’d be hers, if only she would call’.
“The words ‘if only’ are so poignant. That’s what I’d do ‘if only’ – but the moment’s not there. He captures that emotion magnificently,” explains Richard, who has performed for British and European royalty, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, for Sir Elton John and in movies including ‘I Capture the Castle’.
From Wolverhampton to the world
He said it felt ‘great’ to be coming back to the region with Sinatra: RAW, which was a five-star recognised sell-out at the Edinburgh Festival
“I love the Midlands – I was at college in Birmingham once I left Wolverhampton, so am a Midlander through and through with many happy memories. It’s always a joy to meet a fellow Midlander and share a joke. I think Midlander’s have a unique sense of humour and the ability not take themselves too seriously, to see the funny side of life. I like that,” says Richard, who attended The Regis school in Tettenhall.
Although now based in California, he still thinks about his time in Wolverhampton. “I have many happy childhood memories; going off for hours on my bike for what seemed like miles and miles over Perton, when it was just fields, and playing with legions of other school kids in the giant haystack right in the middle and making dens – I’m absolutely sure that wouldn’t be allowed today!
“My first show at the Grand Theatre with the Vera Hildreth School of Dance and when I really got the performing bug, or the Christmas lights, which always seemed so magical back then –- great, simple memories.
“I grew up in Wightwick, where I swear I had the longest paper round in the whole of Wolverhampton – years of delivering what felt like tons of newspapers in a soggy canvas bag, up and down hills. Backbreaking work for tuppence but good for the muscles!
“My last school was Regis in Tettenhall, which I just loved – I had some great times there. Still talk about those times now with friends,” says Richard.
After the show’s run in Birmingham, he will be returning to LA and preparing to tour South Africa with a big-band during March ahead of releasing an album.
“In May, I’ll be coming back over to the UK to release my album, ‘Lost and Found’, which was recorded over in LA. It’s a collection of swing and big-band sounds comprising original material and some standards and pop songs given cool, jazzy treatments.
“Think Harry Connick Jr. meets Sinatra with a touch of Tony Bennett. I’m excited about that because whilst it’s great work and an honour to be associated with Frank Sinatra, it’s also really important to have your own voice,” says Richard.
Sinatra: Raw is on at Old Join Stock Theatre, Birmingham at 8pm on January 23, 24 and 25 and at 3pm and 8pm on January 26. Admission is £15. See www.oldjointstock.co.uk/whats-on/sinatra
