Pitlochry Festival Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Pitlochry Festival Theatre 12/06/24
Sam Hardie director
Book by Douglas McGrath
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
If you are of a certain age, then Carole King provided the musical backdrop to your life. The Drifters, the Shirelles, an era of songs that you could sing and dance to. In fact, I worked at the Palladium as a dancer with the Supremes on Sunday night TV. Then it was ‘Tapestry,’ her solo album which broke all records culminating in a Carnegie Hall performance. Played on a tape in the car, this was the backdrop to our courtship in the early 70’s. I still have the CD, and fifty years later we are still married, the songs being a formative part of our relationship. Move over Taylor Swift - Carole King is the greatest songwriter of our time. This show, which premiered in San Francisco in 2013, moved to Broadway in 2014 and ran for two years in the West End from 2015 t0 2017, followed by tours worldwide.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre have created a new production with their multi-talented ensemble. I wondered if they could pull it off. Yes, they can. All the cast play several instruments, can sing , move and re-create the sound of the era with expertise. The charming Kirsty Findlay, playing the lead, does not endeavour to mimic but brings her own voice and piano playing, which incidentally is great, to the part. She also reflects Carole King’s retiring persona perfectly, as, with two children, she is let down by her writing partner and subsequent husband. Connor Going as Gerry brings his story to the stage with a likeable portrayal and performance. You find it hard to hate him. The rest of the cast show their multiple talents as they tell the story and perform all the songs. I was particularly impressed by Luke Thornton and Chris Coxton as the Righteous Brothers. They really nailed it. But the secret to a successful show is: The Book, The Book, The Book. This one tells an interesting story with great songs in a linear timeline. Just what an audience wants. Deftly directed by Sam Hardie, simple backdrops with moveable trucks and of course a bit of slash curtain and Broadway lights. The cast navigate them well. Choreography is fine but not quite capturing the moves of the sixties.
This show is just the start of a crowd- pleasing summer programme. What a treasure is the Pitlochry Festival Theatre under artistic director Elizabeth Newman. The matinee audience loved ‘Beautiful’ demanding two encores. This show runs until 26th September in rep. You can also book a superb preshow gourmet meal in the renewed restaurant overlooking the river and hills.
