Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at the Winter Gardens Blackpool Review
19-23 June 2018
Reviewed by Bernadette Booth
We parked 2 minutes away from the Winter Gardens complex, on Topping Street – free parking after 6pm, otherwise chargeable parking on nearby car parks is very expensive – £5.50 for 4 hours.
We arrived at the wonderful Blackpool Opera House, situated within the Winter Gardens. The Opera House is a very beautiful, very atmospheric and traditional large theatre. The staff were very warm and helpful, offering to show the audience to their seats. We were lucky to get front row seats, and had a magnificent view of the huge stage and the amazing sets.
The show charts the story of Carole King’s (played brilliantly by Bronte Barbe) rise to stardom from unassuming beginnings, also covering the story of her romantic life, charting the ups and downs of her experiences with multiple fabulous songs.
Carole and her husband Gerry Goffin (played by Kane Oliver Parry) wrote many hit songs for such names as The Drifters, The Shirelle’s, Little Eva, The Righteous Brothers. These performers, and others, were played fabulously in the show by the most wonderful singers/dancers.
The show also focuses on Carole’s relationship with fellow writers Cynthia Weil (played by Amy Ellen Richardson) and Barry Mann (Matthew Gonsalves). Amy Ellen Richardson was one of the best singers/performers I have ever seen. Magnificent voice, witty and charming.
The stage sets are fantastically effective, transporting you back to the different periods of Carole’s life – focusing on the 50’s/60’s/70’s. There were constant set changes, all quick, slick and stunningly managed. The costumes were all gorgeous, and the detail around hairstyles of the different periods was brilliant. The sound quality was perfect, clearly the theatre has a very high quality sound system.
This is definitely a must-see show, we felt as if we were in the West End, it was a truly “Beautiful” experience, and received a well- deserved standing ovation from the audience.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £17.50 to £49.50 (booking fees may apply).
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from 19-23 June 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 856 1111.
Winter Gardens & Opera House, 97 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HL | 0844 856 1111
