Sinatra 100 - London Palladium
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
NEXT year, 2015, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Francis Albert ‘Frank’ Sinatra and to celebrate The Ministry of Entertainment Ltd is presenting the world premiere of SINATRA 100 at the London Palladium.
From July 10 to October 10, some of the biggest stars in the world will perform at the world famous iconic venue where Frank Sinatra made his British singing debut in 1950.
SINATRA 100 is a series of glittering star-packed concerts with a rotating bill of A-list international guest artists appearing alongside and duetting with Richard Shelton, one of the world’s finest Sinatra interpreters. The amazing line-up is completed with the cream of West End performers, the world’s biggest Big Band and Sinatra’s own rhythm section.
The show’s producers have been travelling the world to sign up the greatest living exponents of popular song, many of whom performed with Sinatra himself. Most of these artists regularly fill arenas, but such is their love for the man and his music that they have readily agreed to join the celebrations and give their own fans an opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with them at the amazingly intimate auditorium of the London Palladium.
The full line-up of special guest artists will be announced soon.
Richard Shelton performed as Frank Sinatra in the West End in Rat Pack Confidential, a stunning performance that saw him nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role in the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards. He has also performed in front of the Royal Family at Windsor and Prince Albert in Monaco. This week, he sold out the Cadogan Hall starring in SINATRA: The Main Event, a 40th anniversary recreation of Sinatra’s The Main Event concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden on October 13, 1974 – billed as the greatest comeback in history.
Frank Sinatra, recipient of 11 Grammy Awards and one of the biggest-selling artists of all time with sales of 150 million records worldwide, has an unprecedented three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for his work in film, TV and music. He first topped the bill at the London Palladium in 1950, supported by the famous sand dance variety act, Wilson, Keppel and Betty, and comedian Max Wall. He returned to the Palladium in 1975 for 10 shows supported by jazz legends Sarah Vaughan and Count Basie.
Produced by Graham Mulvein and Anthony Blackburn with Executive Producers Clive Chenery and Sandi St. Paul (UK) and Gregg Field (USA), SINATRA 100 will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston and designed by Steve Howell, with FX design by Richard Kenyon, lighting by Brian Dunn, sound by Gary Dixon and costume design by Debbie Bennett.
For more information call 0844 412 4655 or visit www.sinatra100london.com/.
Also at the London Palladium: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats with Nicole Scherzinger (December 8, 2014 to February 28, 2015).