REVIEW: Sinatra The Musical does it Frank's way in this sensational swing biopic - buy West End tickets here

Old Blue Eyes sang about life, love, heartbreak and triumph better than anyone. Now those timeless songs tell Frank Sinatra’s own remarkable story.

From screaming Bobby Soxers and Hollywood glamour to scandal, redemption and one of the greatest comebacks in entertainment history, Sinatra The Musical is a must-see swing celebration of ‘The Voice’.

It’s at The Aldwych Theatre, in London’s West End, until April 10, 2027, ahead of a much speculated Broadway run.

TICKETS: Book tickets, from just £35 each, on the official site at sinatramusical.com , plus check for offers at londontheatredirect.com and theatreticketsdirect.co.uk.

TRAVEL: For London train times, prices and tickets, visit thetrainline.com. The theatre is a five minute walk for Covent Garden underground tube station.

HOTELS: For an overnight London stay search latest hotel prices and deals at booking.com.

Regrets? You’ll have a few if you don’t go see Sinatra The Musical in the West End. Frankly, it’s unmissable, writes Graham Walker.

The production is packed with many of the biggest sing-along songs from the Great American Songbook, cleverly woven together in this emotional Frank Sinatra biopic.

Just as Mamma Mia! used ABBA's greatest hits, to tell its story, Sinatra The Musical lets the Chairman of the Board's timeless classics chart his rollercoaster life.

It features 23 iconic songs and including outstanding renditions of I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Come Fly With Me, That’s Life, All Of Me, Witchcraft, Nancy, Nice ‘n’ Easy, and Fly Me To The Moon Every number is earned, not just added to satisfy fans.

The cast performances - more later - are fabulous throughout, topped by the commanding central presence of Joel Harper-Jackson as the legend himself.

He wisely avoids becoming a straightforward impersonator. Instead, he captures Sinatra’s distinctive phrasing, impeccable timing, relaxed microphone technique and vocal style so convincingly that, at times, you forget you’re watching an actor.

I was lucky enough to see the real Sinatra perform live in concert four times. His concerts were always celebrations of the best orchestrated swing music played by world-class musicians. Sinatra The Musical captures that atmosphere wonderfully.

This isn’t the whole Sinatra story though. There’s no Rat Pack, no John F. Kennedy years, no marriages to Mia Farrow or Barbara Sinatra, and no global touring years that cemented him as an international icon. In fact we do hear just a few bars of My Way, which came much later in his career. it had to be included. And, inevitably, the evening ends with a joyous audience sing-along of Theme From New York, New York. No Sinatra show could finish any other way.

But for a show that only scratches the surface of Sinatra’s extraordinary life, what it chooses to tell, it tells with style, confidence and enormous heart. It focuses on the extraordinary period that shaped the icon – his meteoric rise as the world’s first pop superstar, his spectacular fall from grace amid scandal and failed relationships, and one of entertainment’s greatest ever comebacks.

It explores what made Sinatra “The Voice”, from his obsessive love affair with “The Body”, Hollywood bombshell Ava Gardner, to his relentless pursuit of the Oscar-winning role of Angelo Maggio in From Here To Eternity – a reckless, self-destructive Italian-American character who often seemed a mirror image of Sinatra himself. He was born for the part, and he knew it.

The musical also brilliantly recreates his recording sessions at Capitol Records with Nelson Riddle, showing the orchestra performing live before invited guests as Sinatra recorded Songs For Swingin’ Lovers! Oh how I’d have loved to have been there. Now you can. Sinatra The Musical transports us back to relive the magic.

It starts with the frenzy of the screaming Bobby Soxers – the teenage girls in white ankle socks whose devotion made Sinatra the world’s first pop idol during his legendary Paramount Theatre appearances. The production cleverly uses projected images to help tell the story, including further newspaper archive clips during the show. From there come the MGM sailor musicals, before the darker chapters of Sinatra’s real life story.

The two hour and 45mins production doesn’t shy away from Sinatra’s failings. His marriage to first wife Nancy crumbles as he embarks on a succession of affairs with Hollywood stars including Lana Turner and Marlene Dietrich before falling hopelessly in love with Ava Gardner, who would become wife number two before their tempestuous relationship collapsed.

Nor does it ignore his alleged links to organised crime, although it offers important context, while also celebrating his unwavering stand against racial discrimination. Sinatra famously refused to perform at venues where his Black musicians were not welcome, reminding audiences that he was often ahead of his time in challenging segregation.

Several moments will surprise audiences unfamiliar with Sinatra’s life, including his darkest personal struggles, his reported suicide attempt, the fierce battle to win From Here To Eternity, and his initially fractious relationship with arranger Nelson Riddle before the pair went on to create some of the greatest albums in popular music. The theatre posters proclaim this is “the legend that almost wasn’t”, and by the end you understand exactly why.

Ana Villafañe is magnetic as Ava Gardner, bringing glamour, passion and heartbreak in equal measure. Phoebe Panaretos, portraying Nancy Sinatra, his devoted first wife, also delivers a memorable acting and singing performance, while the actors playing Sinatra’s formidable mother Dolly, played by Jenna Russell, his warm-hearted father Marty, portrayed by Marty Maguire and long-suffering publicist George Evans, with Lee Zarrett in the role, provide humour, warmth and emotional balance as they navigate the singer’s explosive temperament.

One of the show’s many musical highlights is a torch song duet Sinatra shares with Billie Holiday, played by Melissa Nettleford, a beautifully moving duet of One For My Baby. And watch out for a delightful tap dance showcase from Gene Kelly actor Adam Davidson.

The role of young Nancy Sinatra, shared between three gifted young performers – Sylvie Regan, Felicity Walton and Mia Savident – bring warmth, innocence and charm to one of the show’s most touching characters.

Around them, Kathleen Marshall’s stylish choreography, sumptuous mid-century costumes, elegant sets and the glorious live orchestra create a production that looks and sounds magnificent.

If you’re looking for a definitive biography, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for an evening immersed in timeless songs, first-class performances and the unforgettable story of how Frank Sinatra became a legend, Sinatra The Musical absolutely delivers.

And, just like the man himself, it does it his way.