What’s it all about?
We’re pointing out the obvious here, but this is a musical about the life and music of Carole King, one of the most prolific and most successful songwriters of the 20th century. She wrote music for The Drifters, The Shirelles and even her daughter’s babysitter Little Eva, who found fame in the 60s with pop hit The Loco-Motion.
From her first meeting with lyricist Gerry Goffin through marriage, motherhood and her monumental success, Beautiful takes audiences on a musical journey through King’s career, breathing new life into the songs she wrote with her first husband and, following their break-up, as a solo artist.
Giving audiences even more music for their money, Douglas McGrath’s book also touches on their friendship with rival song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who were often pipped to the top of the charts by King and Goffin, whose own songs, including On Broadway and Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp), also make it into the show.
Who’s in it?
Those who weren’t already aware of Katie Brayben’s talent won’t take long to realise it sitting in the Aldwych Theatre’s auditorium. The actress was last seen on the London stage in Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III, in which she played the ghost of Princess Diana, but in the role of the legendary singer-songwriter her presence is felt in an altogether different way.
Brayben’s flawless King-like intonations, her ability to hit and hold the key notes and the raw soulfulness in her voice all contribute to a showstopping performance that will no doubt make an appearance among the nominations for this year’s theatre awards season. But Brayben doesn’t just belt out the tunes, she captures King’s emotional journey, through the elated highs and agonising lows of her relationship with Goffin, never more so than in her delivery of One Fine Day, in which her heartache weaves its way through every note as she struggles to stifle her tears.
While Brayben steals the limelight with her incredible portrayal of the American music icon – her accent is spot on, by the way – Ian McIntosh and Lorna Want are an absolute treat in the roles of Barry and Cynthia, delivering some hilarious one-liners as the song-writing partnership forever on the tail of their rivals’ success, and Alan Morrissey is equally superb as the supportive husband who King eventually leaves behind.
What should I look out for?
At the risk of sounding like a broken Carole King record: Brayben! Following relatively small roles in Bartlett’s future history play and musical thriller American Psycho, the actress has well and truly established herself as a face – and voice – to watch out for.
What will I be humming?
Pretty much anything that King, Goffin, Mann and Weil have ever written, which for those of you who aren’t too familiar with their work are some of the catchiest songs of all time. From pop classics The Loco-Motion and Who Put The Bomp to (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and the Grammy Award-winning You’ve Got A Friend, the musical’s score is… well… Beautiful.
Who was in the press night crowd?
Fellow singer Petula Clark, producer Mark Ronson, radio presenters Sara Cox and Claire Sweeney, and Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli all turned up on press night to enjoy the West End premiere of this Tony Award-winning hit. But with the London arrival of the acclaimed musical came a few extra special guests from the States; Mann, Weil and King all made the trip across the pond to see their lives played out on the Aldwych Theatre’s stage. In a spectacular curtain call, the press night crowd was even treated to a special performance by King after the singer paid tribute to the late Goffin, who passed away last year after seeing the show’s Broadway premiere.
In a nutshell?
There’s a new star in town and she comes in the form of Katie Brayben. The rising star brings the sound of Carole King to the West End stage in Marc Bruni’s slick and stylish production.
What’s being said on Twitter?
@sarajcox Saw the gobsmackingly brilliant @BeautifulInLDN last night.Laughed&cried&sang along.Topped off by @Carole_King coming on at the end! #gosee
@Baddiel #BeautifulMusical is a beautiful showcase for the genius of Carole King (and that of @Mannweil). Also @trixiepig’s amazing as Carole.
Will I like it?
If you love music, like your jukebox musicals of a Jersey Boys calibre or just enjoy a good night out at the theatre, this is a show you need to see. Beautiful takes you on an uplifting journey down the memory lane of music and indulges you in the sights and sounds of some of the most iconic bands of the last 50 years.
Of course, there’s also Brayben, whose performance alone should have audiences flocking to the Aldwych Theatre for a long time to come.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Yes, Beautiful, we will.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is booking at the Aldwych Theatre until 13 June. You can book tickets through us.