Last night the West End sparkled a little brighter at Sinatra the Musical's charity gala in aid of Nordoff and Robbins. From the first note to the final bow, it was pure old-school glamour.
The story follows Frank Sinatra from his humble beginnings in Hoboken to global stardom, and the complicated relationships behind the legend. Every song you love is here under one roof, with the biggest names of the 40s & 50s popping up along the way.
Understudy, Sam Brown, stepped into the big shoes, and what a triumph. Soaring vocals, fabulous characterisation, and a Sinatra the audience genuinely couldn’t decide whether to love or hate. Charming, flawed and magnetic: the perfect embodiment of the man himself.
The cast sparkled from start to finish, capturing all the glitz and glam of 40s and 50s Hollywood. Phoebe Panaretos was beautifully poignant as Nancy, and Jenna Russell was a total standout as Dolly Sinatra, lighting up the theatre with her razor-sharp wit and true Italian-American grit. Add a dazzling set and gorgeous costumes, and you have a show that had the whole house buzzing - it was clear that the audience loved every minute!
Most of all, it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces come together for Nordoff & Robbins. Their music therapy changes lives, and nights like this help make that work possible.