Reviewed by Helen Noble
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, the Olivier award-winning West End and Broadway show.
Beautiful tells the inspiring story of Carole King, the soundtrack to a generation. Long before she was Carole King, the chart-topping music legend, she was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent.
Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit song-writing team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation, with countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Take Good Care of My Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof, and The Locomotion.
Daisy Wood-Davis plays Carole (Klein) King, Adam Gillian as King’s husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, Laura Baldwin as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Cameron Sharp as song-writer Barry Mann, Susie Fenwick as King’s mother Genie Klein and Oliver Boot as music publisher and producer Donnie Kirshner.
The cast is completed by Damien Winchester, Ronald Brian, Samuel Nicholas, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Vicki Manser, Carly Cook, Leah St Luce, Katrina May, Louise Francis, Mica Townsend, Jacob McIntosh, Reece Budin, Chloe Gentles and Julia Dray.
I was given the opportunity to review this musical, one that my husband had mentioned he would love to see. I on the other hand was slightly sceptical as personally I had to admit I had never heard of her.
Well I am so glad I got to see this, I never realised she was the person behind some of the well-known hit songs from the likes of The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Righteous Brothers, Bobby Vee plus many more.
The storyline was well executed bringing it all together, it tells her life story from when she started composing to her partnership, marriage and breakdown with Gerry Goffin all leading up to the recording of Tapestry with her playing a concert at the Carnegie Hall.
The musical is set with fabulous interchangeable scenery going from home life, to office with an ambience lighting, to a stage full of bright lights and glitzy costumes in a blink of the eye.
The sound, singing and piano playing was immense from everyone involved. Daisy Wood-Davis (Carole King) was outstanding with her vocals giving the goosebumps and hair on end effect.
This show offers a fantastic entertaining evening an if like me and had never hear of Carole King you will soon be in the know of who she is in this highly enjoyable production.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £20.50 to £50 (booking fees may apply).
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 3-7 March 2020, for more information or to book tickets visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01274 432000.
The Alhambra is a traditional theatre, the main theatre building is modern with bright lights which not only look fabulous but makes the building easy to find.
On the ground floor there is a ticket kiosk and a kiosk for purchasing soft drinks and sweets. On the first floor there is an impressive bar/cafe area, also a merchandise kiosk. The staff were welcoming and helpful.
The venue has disabled parking onsite to the left of the buildings entrance it says no entry but there is a buzzer system to allow entry.
There are plenty of carparks within a couple of minutes walking distance from the venue, Sharpe Street car park is just up the hill from the Alhambra. If using any of the NCP car parks if you inform the ticket office on arrival they give you an additional parking ticket to enable a discount on your parking fee.
Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | 01274 432000
