Review of Green Room Productions' smash hit production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar.
Allow me to start with a little name-drop. Last year, in Dallas, I spent a delightful evening in the company of Jessie Mueller who created the role of Carole King in Beautiful on Broadway.
I’m happy to report that I’ve just spent an equally delightful evening with Green Room’s take on this, I hesitate to say, ‘jukebox musical’.
That glib, catch-all phrase undersells this remarkable show – which is actually a very accurate biography of a unique singer-songwriter; a study of an era when the standard music industry MO was the ‘song factory’; and a hilarious and exhilarating recreation of a decade’s culture and music.
A lot to achieve in a two-hour show but Green Room pulled it off with their usual panache, talent and incredible attention to detail.
An attractive abstract set comprised panels of retro record-cover-like tiles flanked by showbizzy lightbulbs, with stepped platforms and piano keyboard trim.
Alastair Woodgate’s clever design effortlessly became a TV show set, a recording studio and a concert hall stage, as well as the more mundane offices and sitting rooms.
We first meet Caroline Fitch as the global superstar performing at Carnegie Hall in 1971 – before we flash back to start her journey from gauche 16-year-old Brooklyn ingénue to household name.
Caroline’s performance was flawless: I believed in her Carole as she both looked and sounded the part.
But, more than that, she grew through the 12 years of the story: falling in love, having kids, coping with success, dealing with heartache… this was a detailed performance topped off by incredible vocals.
She was supported by three equally sublime performances, each expertly observed.
Chris Andrews played King’s life and writing partner Gerry Goffin, whose infidelity and mental health problems brought poignancy and gravitas to the show.
In contrast, light relief was provided by Matt Greenbank as hypochondriac worry-wart Barry Mann, and Katrina Boyd as sassy blonde Cynthia Weil: this couple had all the best lines and nailed every one.
Without a weak link in what is primarily an ensemble show, the rest of the cast came into their own especially in the large set pieces.
To the glorious sounds of the 11-strong band, in Susana Tierney’s skilled hands, we were treated to medleys of so many familiar songs: It’s Too Late, I Feel the Earth Move, You’ve Got a Friend…
I’m sure everyone in the audience thought ‘I didn’t know she wrote that’ at some point in the evening – for me, it was the Monkees’ Pleasant Valley Sunday.
Others who had hits with King’s songs, such as the Drifters, the Shirelles and Little Eva, all featured and, with a breathtaking array of costumes and wigs, wouldn’t look out of place on the tribute band circuit.
Director John Hebden must be congratulated on a production that did exactly what the writers intended – and more.
With Green Room at Wyllyotts, we’re so lucky to have Broadway theatre on our doorstep without having to fork out the airfare to JFK!
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