SINATRA: The Main Event

It was billed as the biggest comeback in showbusiness history – now its 40th anniversary is marked with a stunning recreation of The Main Event exactly as it happened at New York’s Madison Square Garden on October 13, 1974 starring West End and Hollywood star RICHARD SHELTON with The Syd Lawrence Orchestra

October 13, 1974 and more than 20,000 people were crammed into New York’s Madison Square Garden to be in the presence of living legend Frank Sinatra and witness SINATRA: The Main Event – billed as the greatest ‘comeback’ in showbusiness history.

Now to mark the 40th anniversary, that legendary concert will be recreated in the UK by one of the world’s finest Sinatra interpreters, West End and Hollywood star Richard Shelton.

Supported by the world famous Syd Lawrence Orchestra – voted the ‘Best Big Band in the Land’ for the 12th consecutive year – SINATRA: The Main Event will feature such Sinatra classics as My Kind of Town, The Lady Is a Tramp, I Get a Kick Out of You, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, You Are the Sunshine of My Life and the song that would become his signature, My Way. SINATRA: The Main Event is one night you will never forget!

SINATRA: The Main Event, produced by The Ministry of Entertainment in association with Stageworks Worldwide Productions, will open on Independence Day, Friday 4 July, for a summer season at the 850-seat Globe Theatre at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It then plays every Friday and Saturday until Saturday 6 September.

Press are invited to review the show on Friday 4th July at 8.30pm.

Frank Sinatra actually appeared in concert in the northern seaside mecca of Blackpool twice. In July 1950, with his career on the wane in the US, he became Blackpool’s highest ever paid performer at a princely £2,000 a show at the Opera House. “You know I could be mayor of this town!” he told his local chauffeur Frank Lucas, as he was mobbed by hundreds of excitable fans cheering, clapping, jumping up and down and banging on the cars windows on his arrival at the theatre. “They love me this town, don’t they?” He returned for two further performances there in 1953.

Richard Shelton performed as Frank Sinatra in the West End in Rat Pack Confidential, a performance that saw him nominated Best Actorin 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. He was twice personally chosen by Elton John to appear at his famous annual White Tie and Tiara Ball. Shelton, a British actor now resident in Los Angeles, recently recorded a new album, An Englishman in Love in LA, in Frank Sinatra’s actual studio at Capitol Records in Hollywood, backed by some of the remaining Sinatra musicians. He also performed as Sinatra in LA with Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum accompanying him on the piano.

Richard Shelton says, “Frank Sinatra continues to play an important part of my career and I’m very excited to bring to life the previously undiscovered treasure of his comeback tour. By evoking his spirit with the superb Syd Lawrence Orchestra, it’s a chance to experience what it might have been like to spend an evening with arguably the greatest entertainer of all time and to listen to and be moved by some of the greatest hits of his career.”

The Ministry of Entertainment co-director Anthony Blackburn said: “We are delighted to be working with Stageworks Worldwide Productions to bring Richard Shelton’s masterly portrayal of the great man back to Blackpool and the Globe Theatre for the summer season – this the right show in the right theatre in the right town!”

Amanda Thompson, MBE, Managing Director of Blackool Pleasure Beach, said: “We are delighted to add SINATRA: The Main Event to the list of shows here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach during our summer season. “The attraction has always been the place to come and see the cream of entertainment in the UK during the summer and 2014 will be no different. Frank Sinatra’s legacy has stood the test of time and I know this show will be a must-see for everyone.”

Box Office: 0871 222 9090

www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/sinatra-the-main-event/

Friday 4 July – Saturday 6 September

Fridays and Saturdays

at 6.00pm and 8.30pm

Press night: Friday 4 July at 8.30pm

Extra bank holiday shows:

Sunday 24 August at 6.00pm and 8.30pm

Monday 25 August at 6.00pm and 8.30pm

Tickets:

£21.00

£15.00 children (under 16) and concessions

£30.00: VIP arena table seats close to the stage

£50.00 Family Ticket (must include 2 Adults and 1 child up to a

maximum of 2 adults and 2 children)

£15.00 Coach Parties 20 or more (6.00pm only)

£18.00 Coach Parties 20 or more (8.30pm only)

£15.00 Wrist Band Offer

Group bookings buy 10 get 1 free