Cast
Leigh Lothian – Carole King
Matthew Seadon-Young – Gerry Goffin
Georgie Ashford – Cynthia Weil
Ian McIntosh – Barry Mann
Barbra Drennan – Genie Klein
Joseph Prouse – Donnie Kirshner
Venue: Aldwych Theatre, London
Date: Saturday 20th April 2017
This is now the third time I have managed to see Beautiful in the West End in quite a short space of time. I also have tickets for the first UK Tour when it comes to Newcastle in November and I am pretty sure I will also go to see it in March when it comes to Sunderland. I think I am now officially obsessed with this show, well and truly lost count to how many times I have listened to the Broadway cast recording as well as Tapestry by Carole King. Read my first review here.
The special thing about this showing was that I had two new performers to watch in the leading roles with Leigh Lothian taking on the role of Carole King and Georgie Ashford on as Cynthia Weil. So two understudies in the show who really did give it their all from start to finish, putting on such a great show. It is always good to see different performers in the roles and see what they can bring to it, which in this case was showcasing more talent. Really working well together and proving that they are the understudies for a reason, highly talented and ready to step up to the starring roles.
The story is fully based on Carole King’s life and the build up to her becoming a performer as well as a composer and song writer. The struggles she had to face to become successful and the trauma that she had to deal with along the way in what she thought was her perfect life with the man she loved. The friendly rivalry with fellow writers Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, which does create for some fantastic scenes. Lightening the mood and showing that really can help you do your best work.
Considering this was the third time I had seen the show since October I have listened to the Broadway original cast recording and Tapestry by Carole King so many times over the past seven months, I really am admitting my obsession for everything to do with this show. It just has everything that you could wish for in a show and I really do hope that it does well on the UK Tour, I will be seeing it as a many times as possible during that time I can tell you that now!
Three days after I saw the show it was announced that it would be closing in the West End on 5th August 2017. Not to worry though as from September 2017 it is embarking on its first UK tour. So you won’t have to be in London to catch this truly fantastic show! Which as you can imagine I recommend for everyone to go and see, as you will know so many of the songs that it will actually shock you that you had no idea Carole King was involved in them. I am curious to see if many of the West End cast join the touring cast, I certainly hope so!
West End Tickets
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