Richard Shelton stars in Sinatra: The Main Event at The Globe Theatre, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Picture: Richard Barlow
Sinatra: The Main Event continues at The Globe Theatre, Blackpool Pleasure Beach until 6 September (Fridays and Saturdays).
In its relatively short history this 850-seat has adapted to many demands.
Originally a custom built circus, it also hosted a variety of cirque fusions before throwing its doors open to all-comers.
Enter this collaboration between The Ministry of Entertainment Ltd and Stageworks Worldwide Productions and the big ask of The Globe morphing into to New York’s Madison Square Garden circa 13 October 13, 1974.
That’s the date 40 years ago when Frank Sinatra, using the boxing parlance often associated with the New York venue, made what was billed as “the biggest comeback in showbusiness history”. These days it’s difficult to recall that Ol’ Blue Eyes ever had anything to come back from, but when the real deal made his first of only two Blackpool appearances (at a highest ever payment of £2,000) in 1950, his star was waning in the USA.
But by 1974 he had more anthems to call on than the United Nations and his handful of shows were a triumph. Timely then that this production has hooked into the anniversary to create an as near as possible carbon copy of that Madison Square Garden event – complete with asides, anecdotes and even an authentic looking Jack Daniels libation or two
Obviously The Globe’s odd combination of cabaret and theatre setting falls rather short of New York’s iconic venue, but close your eyes and listen and you could just about be transported back in time and place.
Richard Shelton has an established pedigree as a leading Sinatra tribute – nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role in the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards for his part in the successful Rat Pack Confidential show and a list of solo celebrity performances.
He’s just about top of his tree in an increasingly crowded field, and it helps that he looks the part of this post Rat Pack performer – confidently owning the stage, making eye contact with as many of the audience as possible, yet never coming out of character.
The material adheres strictly to his 1974 repertoire, meaning some favourites are missing and some rare items are included, but there are still plenty of anthems (‘My Kind Of Town’, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, ‘New York, New York’ and, of course, the show closer ‘My Way’).
Shelton clearly and deservedly enjoys very minute in the limelight – it is, after all, his near perfect vocal re-creations most of his (and Sinatra’s) fans are here to hear, but full marks must also go Chris Dean and his 14-piece Syd Lawrence Orchestra for stepping perfectly into the shoes of Sinatra’s 1974 band, Woody Herman and the Young Thundering Herd (conducted by Bill Miller). All right, their arrival on stage is low profile enough to make one question what the producers are there for, but apart from that it’s a classy show and a timely addition to the tribute genre.
Robin Duke
www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/sinatra-main-event
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