Richard Shelton (actor)
| Richard Shelton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Wolverhampton, UK |
| Occupation | Actor and singer |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Website | http://www.richardshelton.co.uk/ |
Richard Shelton is a Los Angeles based British film, TV and theatre actor and acclaimed singer with a successful solo career based. In the UK, Shelton is best known for playing the charmingly murderous role of Dr Adam Forsythe on British T.V.'s long running drama Emmerdale (ITV) and for his 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' portrayal of Frank Sinatra in the award winning drama Rat Pack Confidential in London's West End.[1] Richard has recorded solo albums at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and Abbey Road Studios in London. He is also a familiar voice on BBC Radio 2 and 4 with many live international appearances to his credit.
Acting
With a long acting career spanning film, TV and theatre, Richard was nominated as 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Frank Sinatra in the hard-hitting drama Rat Pack Confidential in London's West End. Shelton has appeared in TV programmes in the UK and the US and international movies.
Film and TV
Richard is best known to audiences in the US for his portrayal of Mr Benson in 'House of Lies' (Showtime) starring Don Cheadle. In the UK, Richard is a household name after playing the charmingly murderous Dr Adam Forsythe between 2006-8 in the long-running drama 'Emmerdale' on British TV. His confused character, Adam was welcomed into the community where he charmed them and cared for his long suffering wife, Stephanie Stokes played by Lorraine Chase. In the most watched episode on British TV at the time, Adam murdered his brother-in-law and was caught trying to escape which led to his arrest and ultimate demise.
Richard also played Inspector Rossi in 'Eastenders' (BBC) and Nick in 'Family Affairs'.
Richard's film work includes playing Monsieur Harvey in the Academy Award nominated film 'My Week with Marilyn' (Harvey Weinstein), the Crooner in 'I Capture the Castle', Nick in 'The Wrong Stuff' starring Josh Duhamel, Leonardo in 'Checkmate', Dr Fulton in 'Stuck', Conrad Holmes in Brash Young Turks, Howard Marks in the WW2 Japanese cult movie 'Joker Game', Trigorin in 'The Rehearsal' and Nick in 'Swinging with the Finkles'. His very first film acting role was as the embodiment of death in the 1980's low budget classic 'Dance of Death', in which he played a mysterious and evil black-hatted dancer whose appearance and subsequent scary dance resulted in the rapid death of whomsoever witnessed it, in the style of 'The Ring'.
Theatre
Richard's 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' nominated performance as Frank Sinatra in 'Rat Pack Confidential', (West End, London) brought him to the attention of the British nation. Richard's expansive theatre credits include Mark Anthony in 'Julius Ceasar', Launcelot Gobbo in 'The Merchant of Venice', Sebastian in 'The Tempest' at the Bridewell Theatre, London where Richard was a co-founder. Richard's break-through role was as Young Scrooge in 'Scrooge the Musical' at the Dominion Theatre (London, West End and international tour) playing opposite Academy Award winner Anthony Newley as Old Scrooge. Richard also played the title role of Jumping Jack Flash in the rock musical 'Carnaby Street' (Arts Theatre, West End, London). Other roles include Sandy MacKendrik in 'Whisky Galore' (Nottingham Playhouse/UK Tour), Harry Bright in 'Mamma Mia' (international tour) when he performed for His Serene Highness, Prince Albert of Monaco, 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'. Richard took his sell-out one-man show 'iCroon' to the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival for two consecutive years.
Music
Shelton is quoted as saying 'Music is my passion. A life without music is inconceivable to me.
As a solo artist, Richard recorded his most recent album 'An Englishman in Love in L.A.' at the world famous Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, featuring 13-tracks including the title track by 'BBC Young Composer of the Year' Alex Rudd and lyrics by Jenifer Toksvig. Other songs include the original ballad 'Over Like the Roses' by Martin Newell, a ballad version of 'It's Not Unusual', 'Smile', 'Young at Heart' and 'She Loves Me'.
Richard also recorded his album 'Top Cat' at London's Abbey Road with a 65-piece orchestra featuring classics including 'My Way', 'From Russia with Love', 'Bring Me Sunshine' and original songs 'Grenadine and Blue' and 'Autumn in Soho Square' by Martin Newell.
Richard has performed by Royal Command for Prince Charles at Windsor Castle, Sir Elton John at the 'White Tie and Tiara Ball', with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at The Colliseum Theatre in London, home of the English National Opera, the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Big Band on 'Friday Night is Music Night', headlined at the world famous jazz club Ronnie Scott's in London and countless live national and international TV and radio performances. Richard's impression of Neil Diamond in 'Celebrity Stars in their Eyes' was one of the most watched Christmas show's on T.V.
Frank Sinatra
Richard is widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading interpreters of Frank Sinatra. Following his acclaimed performance in 'Rat Pack Confidential', he has performed with orchestra's and bands across the world, evoking the charisma and musicality of one of the worlds greatest icons.
Following his sell-out 'The Main Event' concert at London's Cadogan Hall with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Shelton is producing a festival of music called 'A Very Good Year' with the US Grant Hotel, San Diego in June 2015 celebrating the centenary of Sinatra's birth by presenting three evenings of Sinatra music. In 'Behind Those Blue Eyes' Shelton is joined by Sinatra's musicians including Mike Lang (piano), Chuck Berghoefer (bass) and Gregg Field (drums) and in a masterclass session, Shelton presents what it takes to 'become' one of the greatest singers and an Academy Award winning actor while the musicians discuss what it was like to work alongside Sinatra and other greats. The second evening 'Franks Way' focuses on the saloon music of Sinatra. 'The Main Event-Our Way' is a 16-piece big band special and recreates the energy of Sinatra's post-retirement come back show at Madison Square Garden, New York in 1974.
Awards
Richard was nominated as 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' from the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Frank Sinatra in the hard-hitting drama 'Rat Pack Confidential', (Nottingham Playhouse. West End, London)
Critics
'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.' - Machester Eve ing 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
Charity
Richard is a tireless fundraiser for Breast Cancer charities, since his mother died of the condition when he was 12 years old. Richard 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, raising tens of thousands of pounds. His connection to MND is through his step-mother, who was living with the condition until 2006.
Early Life
The son of a self-made builders merchant from Wolverhampton in the middle of England, Richard's early show-business interests were forbidden and he was instructed to 'get a trade'. Richard trained in international hotel management and before becoming an actor, Richard had a very successful hotel career, eventually working as Commercial Director of Sales InterContinental Hotels.
Other
Richard also writes motivational workshops for clients including Microsoft, Corus (British Steel), InterContinental Hotels Group and has presented many corporate events nationally and abroad. He recently wrote and directed an adaptation on a Harry Potter theme for the world leading pharmaceutical company Phadia.
References
- ↑ Livingstone, Hannah (29 August 2011). "Standing up with stamina at the fringe". BBC Online. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
Charles Spencer - The Daily Telegraph newspaper Michael Billington - The Guardian newspaper Benedict Nightingale - The Times newspaper