*Spoiler Warning*
I booked this show a couple of weeks ago for a price of £35 - not too bad if you ask me. I have to admit i did not know a lot about Carole King but after seeing this show last night, i am STILL humming the score. I loved all the songs especially Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, One Fine Day, Beautiful and the amazing I Feel The Earth Move.
The shows opens with her talking to the audience at Carnegie Hall in New York which is where the musical ends, the audience is then suddenly thrown back to Brooklyn in the 1960s with the hopeful song writing teenager Carole and her mum Genie Klein. Carole King was being played by Bronté Barbé who had the MOST amazing voice which isn't really shown until the second act and after she divorces Gerry. Her portrayal was very sentimental and entertaining and she really connected with the audience.
The musical then shows her life songwriting with her husband Gerry Coffin (Kane Oliver Parry) and he was incredibly talented because when Carole kicked him out, we all hated him which is hard to be able to do. His performance really highlighted the connection between Carole and Gerry and that they truly loved each other.
Through the musical she makes friends with Cynthia Weil (Amy Ellen Richardson) and Barry Mann (Matthew Gonsalves) who worked brilliantly as a duo together which provided a few laughs for the audience on numerous occasions. Act I ends with Gerry telling Carole that their relationship, in his eyes, is over and of course the AMAZING song One Fine Day, which I was dancing in my seat to. From here, we follow Carole's journey (where Bronté really gets to show off her voice) to her splitting up with Gerry, to LA, and finally Carnegie Hall before my favourite song, I Feel The Earth Move.
Costumes and outfits were typical to the 1960s as well as the set which is put together in an interesting way so that different sections can be used at different times throughout the performance.
This show is definitely up there in my top 5 favourites because of the songs, performers and storyline. This show highlights the importance of never giving up and showing us what Carole was able to achieve by herself. Bronté's standout performance has got to be a firm favourite of mine and shows that this show, truly is, Beautiful.
Beautiful The Carole King Musical is currently visiting various venues around the UK on it's tour.
P.S - Massive shoutout to Bronté for being so lovely outside stage door!
Any questions email me at freddieelee@gmail.com !
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