REVIEW - Beautiful: The Carol King Musical

A brand new production of the award winning West End and Broadway show, Beautiful – The Carol King Musical, has arrived at The Palace Theatre in Manchester.

Following such a hilarious, uplifting and heartfelt story, this proved to be the jukebox musical we all crave; it was unlike any performance I’ve watched before and had the whole audience on their feet erupting into applause as it came to a close. I don’t think there was a seat occupied as the final song broke out across the auditorium.

Beautiful was inspired by Carol King’s 2012 memoir, A Natural Woman, and recounts the untold story of her journey to fame, right from fighting her way into the musical industry at the mere age of seventeen and selling her first hit ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’. The plot also explores her intractable relationship with fellow song-writer Gerry Goffin and their playful rivalry with another musician duo - we are walked through the reality of her seemingly perfect life.

Molly-Grace Cutler is exceptional as the ambitious Carol King. Her whole portrayal of the role was simply phenomenal, and she had such a unique tone to her voice that sent chills through the audience. I was left feeling so emotional and yet my heart was so full at the end as we watched her achieve the dream she’d pursued for the entirety of the show. Molly’s pure passion and wealth of raw talent shone through as she stood on that stage. Her performance was so fresh & energetic, paying a truly fitting tribute to Carol herself and absolutely doing her a great deal of justice.

The rest of the cast were all wonderful too, doubling up with an array of talent as musicians alongside their own characters which I thought to be a stroke of brilliance. My attention was drawn to each and every person stood upon the stage, showcasing so much expression and fervour for their individual characters – my eyes were constantly darting about the stage to watch someone new. The Drifters, in particular, were a powerhouse of hand-jiving hip-thrusting motion, smug bravado and contagious energy with compelling vocals.

This nostalgic crowd-pleaser presents a beautiful demonstration of weaving King’s songs into her life story. Such a joyous and vibrant musical filled with many tears, toe-tapping numbers, smiles & laughs galore and strong performances from every cast member.

Before its nostalgia and joy continues to spread, catch Beautiful – The Carol King Musical in Manchester at the Palace Theatre running until Saturday 15 October.