Richard Shelton (actor)

In the United States, Shelton has guest starred in 'House of Lies, Jane the Virgin and 'The Britishers'. Shelton also played Inspector Rossi in Eastenders and Nick in Family Affairs.

Shelton's film work includes 'iCommit', Major Ian Thomas in 'Palau', Monsieur Harvey in My Week with Marilyn, the Crooner in I Capture the Castle, Nick in The Wrong Stuff , Leonardo in Checkmate, Dr Fulton in Stuck, Conrad Holmes in Brash Young Turks, Howard Marks in Joker Game, Trigorin in The Rehearsal and Nick in Swinging with the Finkles.

Shelton's film role was in Dance of Death, in which he played aevil black-hatted dancer whose dance resulted in the rapid death of whomsoever witnessed it.

In the horror film, 'Do Not Disturb' Shelton received two nominations as 'Best Supporting Actor' from the London Horror Film Awards and the Chicago Horror Film Awards.

Shelton was nominated as 'Best Actor in a Leading Role in the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards for 'Rat Pack Confidential'.

Shelton's theatre credits include Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar, Launcelot Gobbo in The Merchant of Venice, Sebastian in The Tempest at the Bridewell Theatre, London, where Shelton was a co-founder.

Shelton's break-through role was as Young Scrooge in Scrooge the Musical at the Dominion Theatre . Shelton also played Jumping Jack Flash in Carnaby Street at the Arts Theatre.

Other roles include Sandy MacKendrik in Whisky Galore (Nottingham Playhouse/UK Tour), Harry Bright in Mamma Mia (international tour) , Captain Compass in The Magic Boat (Polka Theatre), Teddy Bompass in How She Lied to Her Husband (Edinburgh International Fringe Festival), Tim in Last Time a King (La Bonne Crepe) and Hindlay in the international tour of Wuthering Heights.

Shelton appears regularly at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his shows,'iCroon', 'Sinatra and Me' and 'Sinatra: RAW'

Shelton is quoted as saying "Music is my passion. A life without music is inconceivable to me."

As a solo artist, Shelton recorded his most recent album 'Lost and Found' at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles> It includes 17-tracks including the original title track 'Lost and Found' (Alex Frank/Specner Day), 'An Englishman in Love in LA'('BBC Young Composer of the Year' Alex Rudd, lyrics by Jenifer Toksvig), 'Over Like the Roses' (Martin Newell), 'Sinatra and Me' (Alex Frank/Spencer Day). Other songs include a ballad reworking of "It's Not Unusual", "Smile", "Young at Heart" and "She Loves Me".

Shelton also recorded his album Top Cat at London's Abbey Road with a 65-piece orchestra featuring 'My Way', 'From Russia with Love', 'Bring Me Sunshine' and original songs 'Grenadine and Blue' and 'Autumn in Soho Square' by Martin Newell.

Shelton has performed by Royal Command for Prince Charles at Windsor Castle, Sir Elton John at his 'White Tie and Tiara Ball', with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at The Colliseum Theatre in London, the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Big Band on 'Friday Night is Music Night', the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, headlined at Ronnie Scott's in London, Vitello's, Catalina and Vibrato in LA, and live national and international TV and radio performances.

Shelton's impression of Neil Diamond in Celebrity Stars in their Eyes was one of the most watched Christmas shows on TV.

In 2015, Shelton produced A Very Good Year with the US Grant Hotel, San Diego with three performances evenings of Sinatra music. In August 2016 and 2017, Shelton produced and starred in 'Sinatra and Me'[2] at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.. In 2018, Shelton wrote and starred in 'Sinatra: RAW' which imagines him at his last performance in Palm Springs prior to his first retirement in 1971.

• Best Actor in a Leading Role nomination - Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards for his portrayal of Frank Sinatra in 'Rat Pack Confidential'
• Best Supporting Actor nomination - Chicago Horror Film Awards for the movie 'Do Not Disturb'
• Best Supporting Actor nomination - London Horror Film Awards for the movie 'Do Not Disturb'

• "Shelton as Sinatra is simply phenomenal. He captures the essence of the man perfectly." - Mike Young, BBC
• "Richard Shelton captures perfectly Sinatra's sting pulling menace" – Michael Billington, 'The Guardian'
• "Shelton's splendidly tough yet laid-back performance as Sinatra" – Benedict Nightingale, The Times
• "A stand-out performance from Richard Shelton as a steely-eyed swaggering sonofabitch Sinatra." – Manchester Evening News
• "Sinatra was marvellously played by Shelton with a smile that turned on and off like a lightbulb" – Charles Spencer, The Telegraph
• "Richard Shelton's evil-eyed Sinatra" – Fiona Mountford, London Evening Standard
• "Richard Shelton is both mesmerising and disturbing as Sinatra" – Suffolk Evening Star
• "Richard Shelton is a superior singer who tips his hat to a legend with grace and elegance on An Englishman In Love In L.A. , an album that Sinatra himself would be proud of, well done! - Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
• "His selection of material is as impeccable as his wardrobe, and his style is shark skin sharp." - George Harris, Jazz Weekly
• "A sold out command performance worthy of a concert stage” - Broadway Baby
• "Shelton has a seemingly effortless style, unforced and highly polished – with this brio and panache he has a bright future." - Mark Shenton, Daily Express
• "Shelton is quite the performer extraordinaire-he wowed the crowd and expressed himself brilliantly, singing renditions with his own signature. Comfortable on either side of the world and surely deserving of fans and admirers worldwide.” - Bonnie Priever, The LA Examiner
• "What a voice! The future belongs to vocalists and Richard Shelton is going to lead the way there!” - Gillian Reynolds, BBC Radio 2
• "Shelton thoroughly enthralled the audience! ‘Under My Skin’, sizzled and his energy swings hard.’ - Chris Walker, LA Jazz Scene

"A glorious and compelling masterpiece" Londontheatre1.com

https://www.londontheatre1.com/reviews/review-of-sinatra-raw-a-new-play-by-and-starring-richard-shelton/

If one for your baby and one for the road is what you are looking for in Edinburgh from August 3 hi yourself to the Frankenstein Pub George 1V Bridge for 1pm where Richard Shelton will bring Old Blue Eyes to life warts and all in the Fringe's most sophisticated show his way. Bill Russell Reviewsgate

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 https://www.carnstheatrepassion.com/review-sinatraraw/

SINATRA: RAW "A model of its kind – not the usual tribute show hagiography but a warts and all portrait of Old Blue Eyes. There will be no more sophisticated and polished act in Edinburgh this August Richard Shelton does Sinatra proud”. Reviewsgate https://reviewsgate.com/sinatra-raw-edinburgh-fringe-4-wil…/

As in any great show, he leads you wanting more - more of the music and more of the man. Pocket Size Theatre http://www.pocketsizetheatre.com/2018/08/review-sinatra-raw-at-oak-room-in.html

Shelton is a fundraiser for breast cancer charities, since his mother died of it when he was 12 years old. Shelton has sung with the BBC Big Band and BBC Concert Orchestra for the Moon Walk Breast Cancer Charity in London's Hyde Park and for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and 'Tickled Pink'. He also organised a big-band fundraiser event for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, r. His connection to MND is through his step-mother, who was living with the condition until 2006.

The son of a builders merchant from Wolverhampton, Shelton trained in international hotel management and before becoming an actor, Shelton eventually became commercial director of sales at InterContinental Hotels.

Shelton also writes motivational workshops for clients, including Microsoft, Corus , InterContinental Hotels Group and has presented corporate events nationally and abroad. He recently wrote and directed an adaptation on a Harry Potter theme for Phadia.

• Charles Spencer - The Daily Telegraph newspaper
• Michael Billington - The Guardian newspaper
• Benedict Nightingale - The Times newspaper

• Official website