The reviews are in for Sinatra the Musical at the Aldwych Theatre and while critics praise standout performances from its star casting, they say the script lacks emotional depth.
Featuring more than 20 of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits, this new musical brings his music and legacy to life on stage, with Joel Harper-Jackson (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Kinky Boots) as the iconic crooner.
Sinatra the Musical, booking until 10 April 2027 in London’s West End, also stars Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (EastEnders) as Frank’s mother Dolly Sinatra.
While critics unanimously praised Harper-Jackson in the lead role (“captures the swagger of the young crooner”- The Times) and Russell for her “show-stealing comic cameo” (WhatsOnStage), they say that two-time Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro’s book “never invests these colourful characters with real emotional depth” (The Telegraph).
The verdict: Joel-Harper Jackson and Jenna Russell shine but script is lacking depth.
Critic’s comparison
| Publication | Rating | The Key Takeaway |
| The Telegraph | ★★★ | Terrific performances, clunky book. |
| The Guardian | ★★★ | Plenty of style yet the script is flat. |
| The Times | ★★★ | A brassy band and a star with swagger. |
| The Stage | ★★★ | Harper-Jackson and Russell shine, fails to capture Sinatra’s achievements. |
| What’s On Stage | ★★★ | Slick, intermittently euphoric new musical. |
| The Standard | ★★ | Lavishly mounted but lamely written and characterised. |
The reviews: what they loved about Sinatra the Musical
Standout performances: Critics heaped praise on Joel-Harper Jackson as Frank Sinatra and Jenna Russell as his mother Dolly Sinatra. In a three-star review, The Stage said: “Joel Harper-Jackson is cooly in command as the man himself.” and “Russell as the rasping, acidly funny Dolly is a highlight.”
Big band power: In a three-star review, What’s On Stage said: “The undoubted highlight of Sinatra is Gareth Valentine’s 17-piece onstage band.” This was echoed in another three-star review in The Times, where critic Clive Davis writes: “a 17-piece band supervised by the arranger Gareth Valentine gives the music all the brassiness it requires.”
The reviews: what fell flat for Sinatra the Musical
A script lacking emotional depth: The main criticism of Sinatra the Musical across the board was that the script is lacking depth. In a three-star review in The Telegraph, critic Marianka Swain writes “Joe DiPietro’s clunky book never invests these colourful characters with real emotional depth.” The Stage adds that it “fails to fully capture Sinatra’s achievements.”
Songs that don’t fit the narrative: Some critics felt that Sinatra’s songs did not always fit with the narrative. The Times’ Clive Davis said: “Some of the songs, such as Learnin’ the Blues, aren’t quite top-drawer. Others are crowbarred into the narrative.”
The back story
It is New Year’s Eve, 1942, and a 27-year-old Frank Sinatra is about to step onto the stage and change music history. As his career skyrockets, Sinatra is torn between his devotion to his wife Nancy and the temptations of fame. When he begins a passionate relationship with Ava Gardner, his world begins to unravel.
Driven by ambition, artistry and love for his family, Sinatra sets out to stage one of the greatest comebacks in showbusiness history. Featuring more than 20 of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits — including That’s Life, One For My Baby, The Best Is Yet To Come and Come Fly With Me.
The cast includes:
- Frank Sinatra: Joel Harper-Jackson (Standing at the Sky’s Edge)
- Ava Gardner: Ana Villafañe (On Your Feet!)
- Nancy Sinatra: Phoebe Panaretos (Strictly Ballroom)
- Dolly Sinatra: Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (EastEnders)
The wider cast features Marty Maguire (Marty Sinatra), Lee Zarrett (George Evans), Sylvie Regan, Mia Savident, Felicity Walton (Little Nancy), John Stacey (Mitch Miller / Harry Cohn / Ensemble), Allana Taylor (Marlene Dietrich/Ensemble), Oliver Adam-Reynolds (Nat King Cole / Ensemble), Becky Anderson (Lana Turner / Ensemble), Carl Au (Lee Mortimer / Ensemble), Sam Brown (Tommy Dorsey / Ensemble), Helen Colby (Hedda Hopper / Ensemble), Adam Davidson (Gene Kelly / Ensemble), Jenna Innes (Judy Garland / Ensemble), Melissa Nettleford (Billie Holiday / Ensemble), Samuel Nicholas (Ensemble), Mia Musakembeva (Ensemble), Swings: Emma Crossley, Alexander Day (Dance Captain), Christopher GoPaul, Stuart Hickey, Nardia Ruth, Christina Shand (Assistant Dance Captain).
The creative team includes two-time Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis) who wrote the book, three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes) as director and choreographer and Olivier Award-winner Peter McKintosh (Crazy for You) is the designer.
Where to see Sinatra the Musical
Venue: Aldwych Theatre, until 10 April 2027
Age: Recommended for ages 13+. Children under 5 cannot be admitted.
Runtime: 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval)
Full details on Sinatra the Musical
What are the critics saying about Sinatra The Musical?
"A lavish West End production packed with immortal songs and lifted by terrific performances."
“Sinatra: The Musical is a turbulent experience, boasting more than 20 Sinatra hits and sleek, glossy staging, but is let down by poor writing that never quite gets under the legendary artist’s skin.”
“Joe DiPietro’s clunky book never invests these colourful characters with real emotional depth.”
“Thankfully, the terrific performances elevate the material. Joel Harper-Jackson is an effortlessly charismatic, if aptly obnoxious, young Sinatra.”
“It’s the formidable women who really dominate.”
"In the lead, Joel Harper-Jackson marries smooth vocal power to Sinatra’s signature swagger."'
“Jenna Russell can steal a scene with just a single line delivered on a telephone.”
“We do get some colouring in on Sinatra’s progressive values.”
“Happily, Kathleen Marshall’s production, complete with a fine ensemble and some joyful choreography, doesn’t stint on the big hits.”
“Plenty of style yet the script is flat.”
"A brassy band and a star with swagger."
“Joel Harper-Jackson captures the swagger of the young crooner from Hoboken and a 17-piece band supervised by the arranger Gareth Valentine gives the music all the brassiness it requires.”
“Ana Villafañe makes a shimmering Ava Gardner.”
“The script by the prolific Joe DiPietro trudges through the early decades, ticking off the hits and affairs.”
“Some of the songs, such as Learnin’ the Blues, aren’t quite top-drawer. Others are crowbarred into the narrative.”
"Fails to fully capture Sinatra’s achievements."
“Joel Harper-Jackson is cooly in command as the man himself, with a voice that emulates his character’s smooth, chocolatey tones.”
“Russell as the rasping, acidly funny Dolly is a highlight.”
“Despite polished performances all round and serious brass band umph, it’s a humdrum affair.”
“A shrewd decision to save the Sinatra favourite New York, New York for the curtain call.”
"Lovers of the swingin’ Big Band sound will find plenty to enjoy in this slick, intermittently euphoric new musical."
“Joel Harper-Jackson in the title role can now be accurately termed a quadruple threat, in that not only does he sing, dance and act, he also does an uncanny vocal impression of the great Frank.”
“Frank’s mum (Jenna Russell in a show-stealing comic cameo) is an old-school ballbuster.”
“The undoubted highlight of Sinatra is Gareth Valentine’s 17-piece onstage band.”
“It moves fast, rather like one of those Hollywood biopics of yore (only much swearier), but is more efficient than illuminating.”
"Set pieces and grand spectacles do little to distract from the cracks."
“Lavishly mounted but lamely written and characterised.”
“Joel Harper-Jackson does a creditable job of capturing the smooth-bore cadences of Sinatra’s styling.”
“There are effective big routines here, one in Pantone blazers, one in pastel gowns, and one in tailcoats.”
“It imperfectly hammers hits from Frank Sinatra’s back catalogue into a misconceived triumph-over-adversity narrative that covers nine years of his life.”
Aldwych Theatre, London
Related News
Last minute theatre in London: 10 must-see shows to book right now
Sinatra Christmas concert to play at the Aldwych Theatre, starring Joel Harper-Jackson
11 musicals to book during London Theatre Week 2026
Abigail’s Party Reviews: critics agree Outhwaite is a tour de force as Beverley in Mike Leigh’s classic
Latest News
A jaunt through the history of panto: how a flexible theatre form transformed Britain’s Christmas theatre scene
Everything you need to know about West Side Story at the National Theatre
10 reasons we can’t wait for West Side Story
