Beautiful

CRITIC’S CHOICE: Top 10 New West End Musicals 30 June 2015

News, Reviews, West End
Imelda Staunton to appear in Gypsy at The Savoy Theatre

What Musical should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Musicals which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Gypsy Everyone in this company is superb in their part, everyone can really sing, really dance and really deliver the goods in terms of dramatic and comic acting. This is that rare beast: an exquisitely cast musical where the requirements of the parts have more importance in the casting process than potential box office draw or Twitter popularity. It … Read more

Critics Choice: 10 Best West End Musicals 29 May

Off West End, Reviews, West End
Imelda Staunton to appear in Gypsy at The Savoy Theatre

What Musical should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Musicals which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Gypsy – awarded BritishTheatre.com’s only 6 Star Rating Everyone in this company is superb in their part, everyone can really sing, really dance and really deliver the goods in terms of dramatic and comic acting. This is that rare beast: an exquisitely cast musical where the requirements of the parts have more importance in the casting process than potential … Read more

CRITICS CHOICE: Top 10 Musicals 1st May 2015

News, Reviews, West End
Imelda Staunton in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre London

What Musical should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Musicals which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Gypsy Everyone in this company is superb in their part, everyone can really sing, really dance and really deliver the goods in terms of dramatic and comic acting. This is that rare beast: an exquisitely cast musical where the requirements of the parts have more importance in the casting process than potential box office draw or Twitter popularity. It … Read more

2015 Olivier Award Winners

News, West End
Dame Angela Lansbury wins her first ever Olivier Award for Blithe Spirit at the 2015 Olivier Awards

The 2015 Olivier Awards were held tonight at the Royal Opera House in London. Hosted by Lenny Henry, the evening was dominated by The Young Vic and Sunny Afternoon. The Young Vic’s production of A View From The Bridge won for Best Revival, Best Actor and Best Director whilst Sunny Afternoon won for Best New Musical, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Outstanding Achievement in Music. Dame Angela Lansbury received her first ever Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress. The Play That Goes Wrong won Mischief Theatre the award for Best Comedy. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Memphis and City Of Angels won two awards each. The evening concluded with a heartfelt rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water by Kevin Spacey and Beverley Knight. Spacey has just been awarded the special Olivier Award for his work over the last decade at the Old Vic. A very special night indeed. … Read more

Critic’s Choice – Top 10 West End Musicals (31 March 15)

Features, News, West End
Siobhan McCarthy and Jeremy Secomb in Tooting Arts Club's Sweeney Todd.

What Musical should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical The throbbing, majestic and luminous heart of this production comes from Katie Brayben’s faultless, radiant and absolutely triumphant turn as Carole King. Brayben recreates the feel, the sound, the look of Carole King in a completely authentic and resonant way – she feels like the natural woman. Read Our Review | Book Tickets 2. … Read more

REVIEW ROUND UP: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

News, Reviews, West End
Gary Trainor, Ian McIntosh, Lorna Want, Katie Brayben in Beautiful. Photo: Brinkhoff Moegenberg

Beautiful – the Carole King Musical has now opened in London at the Aldwych Theatre. Here’s a summary of what the major critics had to say. Book tickets to Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Stephen Collins BritishTheatre.com ★★★★★ Everything about the production seems fresher, lovelier and livelier than on Broadway. It’s a feast for eyes and ears and, when it is done, the feeling of elation is irresistible. I can count on one hand the number of musicals which have tempted me to dance along with the final tune, after the bows, but this show is another. And at its heart is the phenomenal Katie Brayben. This is the kind of musical one can see every week and not regret spending the time or money in so doing. Fundamentally fabulous and perfectly executed. Michael Billington The Guardian ★★★ Fans of the singer-songwriter Carole King may be happy just to … Read more

REVIEW: Beautiful, Aldwych Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Katie Brayben plays carole King in Beautiful at London's Aldwych Theatre

The throbbing, majestic and luminous heart of this production comes from Katie Brayben’s faultless, radiant and absolutely triumphant turn as Carole King. Brayben recreates the feel, the sound, the look of Carole King in a completely authentic and resonant way – she feels like the natural woman.

Tom Cruise Visits The Cast Of Beautiful

Gallery, News, West End
Tom Cruise West End Cast Beautiful

The cast of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical were surprised by a visit from Tom Cruise after their preview performance last night. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is the untold story of her journey from school girl to superstar; from her relationship with husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, their close friendship and playful rivalry with fellow song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, to her remarkable rise to stardom. Along the way, she became one of the most successful solo acts in music history, and wrote the soundtrack to a generation. Katie Brayben plays the title role of Carole King, with Alan Morrissey as King’s husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, Lorna Want as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Ian McIntosh as song-writer Barry Mann, Glynis Barber as Genie Klein, King’s mother, and Gary Trainor as music publisher and producer Don Kirshner in the West End production of Beautiful … Read more