Beautiful The Carole King Musical review

Following on from the success of Evita last year, St Annes Musical Productions (StAMP) have again produced a musical with a strong female lead in this popular feel-good show.

It follows the life of Carole King from being a highly intelligent 16 year old school girl through her discovery as a songwriter, her marriage and children, her eventual heartbreak and ultimate breakthrough as a solo performer. The story is told using the songs she wrote with husband Gerry Goffin and using songs by friends Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

In his first time directing for this company, director James Cave has understood that the music is the main feature of this show. At the rear of the stage is a cleverly-designed raised area with individual picture frame areas which are lit up for songs being recorded or performed by artists of the time. This includes a suitably soulful Lead Drifter (Daniel Ebitonmer) and Kyle Cooper as Neil Sedaka.

However, when it comes to the songs being written and created, James brings the performers and piano front and central and we are treated to the pure music. This is all enhanced by a sensitive lighting plot, good use of projections and appropriate period furniture for the time.

Danielle Woodhouse’s choreography is slick and well-rehearsed and the ensemble in particular seem to have thoroughly enjoyed providing appropriate costumes for the era.

The company has used quality backing tracks for this show and this worked well for the style of music. Credit to musical director Leanne Farrer for working the company on both the musical entries with the tracks and the harmonies which came through on many of the group numbers but specifically in You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’ (a great cameo by James Cave and Steven England as the Righteous brothers) and the poignant ‘You’ve got a friend’. Also credit to Neil James on the music cues which were spot on.

Danielle Quine is a delight as the feisty writer Cynthia Weil and her chemistry with real life husband James Quine as hypochondriac Barry Mann was terrific.

Derek Winward brings all his experience to the part of Donnie Kirshner and Gill Winward as Carole’s mother Genie brings out the comedy perfectly.

George Plant plays the part of Gerry Goffin displaying his talented singing voice and also the turmoil of the pressures the industry brings to him.

The absolute star of this show is Millie Quine as Carole King. Her journey from a 16 year old shy schoolgirl to singer and performer was excellent from start to finish. Her quality in the middle range of her voice suited the Carole King repertoire perfectly and the performances of ‘It’s too late’, ‘Will you love me tomorrow’ and ‘Natural Woman’ were stunning.

This is a real feel-good show and is playing to deservedly packed houses for the rest of the week.

Pauline Hardie