One of the most successful and influential musicians of all time, the pressure is on for Molly-Grace Cutler, playing the part of Carole King. Nikolai Foster's Tony and Olivier award-winning jukebox musical Beautiful tells the heartwarming true story of King's rise to fame, from writing hit songs with her husband Gerry Goffin to her stellar solo career.
The songs are, as hoped, fabulous and the soundtrack to a generation, many members of whom are in the audience tonight at Manchester's Palace Theatre. From the second Molly-Grace Cutler appears on stage singing So Far Away, you feel enveloped by her velvety tones, already convinced that you are watching King herself on stage.
The dynamic between King's character and Seren Sandham-Davies' Cynthia Weil, with whom, along with her husband Barry, King and husband Gerry share a friendly rivalry, plays out really well on stage. Sandham-Davies is just the right combination of an annoying 'pick-me' type and a friend who cares.
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It's something King really needs when Tom Milner's Gerry leaves her for another woman. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin, written by Barry and Cynthia for the Righteous Brothers, neatly ties in with this breakdown of their marriage.
We're taken on a magical ride through yesteryear as we sit back and watch The Drifters, The Shirelles and Little Eva - all of whom King wrote songs for, belting out sixties classics such as Will You Love Me Tomorrow, On Broadway and The Locomotion.
Edd Lindley's costumes are a sequin-spangled, fur-trimmed delight and brilliantly evoke the exciting, shiny and new first part of King's career. The set, by contrast, is suitably simple - most of the action, obviously, taking place in the music studio or concert hall.
It's the second act however, where the tension that has been building in the marriage between King and Goffin finally reaches its peak. There are audible boos in the audience as Tom Milner's Goffin comes crawling back just when King has started to branch out on her own terms.
And boy does she do well, proving heartbreak really is gold for creativity. It's Too Late could be sung in a very sombre style but Cutler's almost bouncy rendition shows that while King may feel her marriage is over, she knows her career most definitely isn't.
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and seventies hits Beautiful and I Feel The Earth Move add to the feeling that King's musical excellence is only just beginning and top off an exquisite treasure trove of tunes.
Cutler's gorgeous vocals - gentle and gutsy in equal parts, are flawless throughout, as is her acting. She plays the part with a likeability, maturity and humility that must surely make the real Carole King proud.
If you're hoping for a high energy production with an irresistible set of songs you won't be disappointed.
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