20 July 2015 (gig)
22 July 2015
In honour of the centenary of global icon Frank Sinatra, Sinatra The Man & His Music has opened at the London Palladium.
It is the official celebration of Frank Sinatra’s centenary year and marks 65 years since Sinatra’s first ever performance in the UK at the Palladium back in 1950.
The show is a concert biography recounted in Frank Sinatra's own words with the maestro literally dropping in on a giant screen for every song, larger than life, and in fine voice. It takes a moment to adjust to the combination of film footage and live dancers/musicians but the quality of each is so great, the boundaries between them soon slip away.
The dancers bristle with energy showcasing some spectacular choreography with lindy hops to die for as we are taken on a journey through Sinatra’s life and repertoire. The musicians are the stars of the show, always visible and at times taking centre stage for heart-melting solos on trumpet, clarinet and sax. Conductor, Richard John, deserving of praise keeping the 24-piece orchestra on a tight leash, with the drummer finding the time to glide his hand through his hair during the drum solo. Sinatra would have been proud.
The allure of old blue eyes is still strong which should see this well worked informative, energetic, but above all, entertaining production succeed.
The revamped footage allows you to analyze the master of understatement. The raise of an eyebrow, curl of the lip, or slight nod of the head is all you get, but it is enough to communicate the deepest emotion. As a production, what is unique is the balance between film footage and live performance, which show producer Karl Sydow precisely strikes.
After the show his daughter Nancy took to the stage to thank the cast. Visibly moved she said, “Frank loved London, and London loved Frank. His story had to be told here. Two legends, The Palladium and Frank.”
With truly wonderful renditions of ‘Fly Me To The Moon’, ‘New York, New York’ and of course ‘My Way’ be prepared for your emotions to run high. There is nothing more likely to bring to mind the passing of time and the richness of life than watching a great man star in a show after he’s long gone.
There is glitz, glamour, dancing, wonderful songs and Frank Sinatra, back at The Palladium in all his glory… impossible? Not anymore.
