Beautiful: The Carole King Musical - Aldwych / National Tour

Saw this in Sunderland on Tues night with the talented Bronte Barbe as Carol. The understudy was on for Jerry who was also very good. Enjoyed the show overall but probably wouldn't see it again.I found there was just that extra something that was missing. Nevertheless standing ovation at the end.

Saw this in Bristol last night, was really looking forward to it after loving the show in London last year but I was left slightly disappointed by it all. There seemed to be a real lack of energy about it. Those around me (including those I went with) absolutely loved it but something was missing for me, don't get me wrong I still enjoyed it just not to the level I expected.
Sold well for a midweek show, stalls looked to be completely full and all three levels were open which was lovely to see.

Most of the people here who have seen it in the last few months have been underwhelmed and all cite a similar reason to ensembleswings. It can’t be a coincidence.

3 people can be significant , or a completely random coincidence. 

Against that it sold out the Marlowe here all week,  It got loud standing ovations each time I saw it,  and had the punters praising Miss Barbe as they climbed the stairs leaving. Its also  picked up excellent  reviews, from everywhere else I Looked at. If you judged it by those criteria,  its  one of the best shows currently running.

Parts  of the ensemble were more impactful than others, but thats inevitable if you cast within  a finite pool that fits a narrow requirement, and is willing and avalable to tour. Some were very very good - notably the drifters.  Its also irrelevant to most people if songs were supposedly sung better,  or the sound system was,   in London . I can't see, the argument for the story being weak. Its the story they have , and the story is the  story of the writer, as told in her songs. As musical  theatre stories go,  its a pretty  strong story of life's major ups and downs, overcoming them, and progressing.  The audience clearly bought into the story - as they vocally got behind Carole as it progressed. Some may not like the  humour but thats almost  inevitable if people just expect a documentary, or have little sense of humour  -  the important thing is that the audience  in the main is laughing- ideally  at the  right points.

Overall I think its the  only musical I would think of giving 5 stars to of those I have seen in the last 6 months, its a got a top class performance from its lead - who was a great piece of casting ,  a strong or solid  ensemble, no annoying names who can't do whats needed, some great songs from someone who could  actually  write good songs,  a decent story thats  not a copy of something else , or makes no sense, and a happy audience. after.

Haven’t seen the show for about 2 and a half years, but am catching it tonight in Oxford. It’s my favourite jukebox musical by a mile, and I can’t wait to see it again!

Travelzoo has some deals available for Leeds next week.

She was in the ensemble of the Regent's Park Crazy For You so if you saw that (and I'm guessing you probably did) then you will have seen her before. She then took over the role of Patsy towards the end of the run at the Aldwych when Alexis Owen Hobbs left early (possibly went on maternity leave but it's hard to remember 6 years on) but given it's a small role I'm afraid I can't say I remember much about her performance.

So the 5th Anniversary on Broadway was pretty incredible by the looks of things! Chilina Kennedy exited the stage on the 5th Anniversary performance, and who showed up but Carole King herself, performing the song Beautiful at the end! Amazing!

Looks like Beautiful is touring again next year. Have just received an email to book for Bromley, Saturday 11 to Saturday 18 January 2020.

It could well be the first stop on the tour as the run unusually starts on a Saturday.

I'm surprised a new tour is starting so soon, did the first one do that well? I'm intirgued as to who they'll cast as Carole?

Cassidy was brilliant when I saw the show, I found her to actually be superior to Katie Brayben in many aspects having seen both.

I like this show alot, but there is a point in Act 1, pretty much five minutes before the interval where I start getting bored, and it's happened both times I've seen it now. I don't know why it is, I think just because of the repetitive nature of Act 1, it does kinda drag toward the end. But it's a show that definitely gets better in Act 2 for me.