“Every member of the cast is convincing; it’s a pleasingly deep yet simple and joyous piece of theatre”

Musical Theatre Review, Fiona Orr
 

"Connor Going's Gerry Goffin...is played tastefully, earnestly, and harmonises well with Findlay and the others.”

Dominic Corr, Corr Blimey

 

BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical *****

Better get your tickets quick because this is going to be one big hit once word gets around. Pitlochry Festival Theate launches the summer season with the award-winning musical celebration of the life and work of singer/songwriter Carole King and it hits the high note in Sam Hardie’s top notch production, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Douglas McGrath’s book traces King’s life from her teens, to first co-writing some of the 60s biggest hits with her first husband, Gerry Goffin, to finding her own voice and the landmark issue of her solo album Tapestry in the 70s. The script is witty, fun and thoughtful by turns, getting its strength from not having concocted fiction underlying the treasury of music but a human story of a real woman overcoming many barriers to find herself and show the world her talent.

Kirsty Findlay inhabits the role of King, embracing every nuance, with an outstanding performance, treating us to great singing that is powerful and poignant, along with sensitive acting. Her rendition of Will You Love Me Tomorrow, which King wrote at 17, is breathtaking.

The show charts the frenetic world of 60s songwriting in New York. King and Goffin worked for music publisher Don Kirshner turning out great music to order. The marriage was falling apart due to Goffin’s depression and infidelity. Connor Going brings a lost soul quality to the errant husband.

They, and King individually, created so many great hits for others which sometimes are forgotten. Beautiful reminds us of their achievements with an ensemble of talented actor/musicians movin’ and a’groovin’ into the mantles of 60s stars from Neil Sedaka to Little Eva and The Shirelles to The Righteous Brothers. Musical director Richard Reeday creates a pacey feast of hits.

Although King had faith in her music, she was reticent about putting herself in the spotlight as a performer. Divorced, she moved to California and then came Tapestry; an album from the heart, that captured the hearts of many others. 

What a treat it is to immerse oneself in this excellent musical bio and come out singing!

Broadway Baby, Joy Watters