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Post by jvoom on Jan 16, 2018 21:11:24 GMT
I saw this in Dublin last night and, surprisingly, was very underwhelmed. I’ll preface by saying I’m a huge fan of Carole King and the 60s is probably my favourite era for music. I’ve never been one of those people who are very against jukebox musicals as I often think, if nothing else, they’re usually entertaining but this one sort of baffled me.
The book really didn’t work for me and I’m kind of amazed it was nominated for a Tony. The whole thing was so formulaic and cliché. Act one was especially bad with it basically being “hey I wrote a new song” followed by the song being performed then the same thing over and over.
I understand it’s hard to tell a story spanning such a long period of time in two and a half hours but some of the storytelling seemed really lazy (“we’ve had a second child since the last time you called”). The jokes were cheesy and predictable, some of the show went on for way too long (a lot of the first act) and some of the rest of it seemed rushed and crammed together.
Its also the first show (that I can think of) where I found the ensemble quite weak as a whole. The Shirelles weren’t in sync, one of them in particular was really phoning it in and I found a lot of the vocals weren’t particularly great.
Needless to say I was disappointed but hey, onto the next show.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 16, 2018 22:02:12 GMT
Welcome to the forum jvoom. Yes you pretty much echo my thoughts. They should be killing those ensemble numbers and they just don’t. If it’s like this now I’m glad I’m not seeing the e d of the tour. |
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Post by peggysue on Mar 9, 2018 15:34:48 GMT
Saw this in Sunderland on Tues night with the talented Bronte Barbe as Carol. The understudy was on for Jerry who was also very good. Enjoyed the show overall but probably wouldn't see it again.I found there was just that extra something that was missing. Nevertheless standing ovation at the end.
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Post by Mark on Mar 9, 2018 18:31:34 GMT
I was there last night. Quite well sold for Sunderland which often struggles with some of the mid-sized shows.
Really enjoyable, great cast and it still felt really fresh.
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Post by ensembleswings on Apr 5, 2018 16:58:16 GMT
Saw this in Bristol last night, was really looking forward to it after loving the show in London last year but I was left slightly disappointed by it all. There seemed to be a real lack of energy about it. Those around me (including those I went with) absolutely loved it but something was missing for me, don't get me wrong I still enjoyed it just not to the level I expected.
Sold well for a midweek show, stalls looked to be completely full and all three levels were open which was lovely to see.
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Post by Mark on Apr 5, 2018 18:33:44 GMT
Saw this in Bristol last night, was really looking forward to it after loving the show in London last year but I was left slightly disappointed by it all. There seemed to be a real lack of energy about it. Those around me (including those I went with) absolutely loved it but something was missing for me, don't get me wrong I still enjoyed it just not to the level I expected. Sold well for a midweek show, stalls looked to be completely full and all three levels were open which was lovely to see. Shame to hear you felt it lacked that "something". A friend of mine is part of the company and I know they've been having a great reception. It really is such a great show. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 6, 2018 6:00:07 GMT
Most of the people here who have seen it in the last few months have been underwhelmed and all cite a similar reason to ensembleswings. It can’t be a coincidence.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 25, 2018 7:30:20 GMT
Saw this in Stoke-on-Trent last night. Packed out as far as I could tell.
All the regulars were on. Very clear sound and vocals, although you do get the impression that the tour has been going for some time.
The comedy was a bit subtle for Stoke-on-Trent, so you could hear a pin drop during most of the funny lines in the first half. The crowd did warm up a little in the second.
Several people trying to sing along at different times, particularly in the second half and usually out of tune and out of time with the songs. No one quite near enough to me to stare at.
The orchestra pit is huge, so there's quite a distance from the front row to the stage. Hadn't realised how distracting the conductor (also on keyboard) is, with a raised lit platform. Luckily I was a few seats along and not directly behind.
One thing I hadn't noticed before is the conductor controls several cameras, including one pointing down from the roof, which he moves to make sure his playing matches the piano on the stage, even when it's angled away from the audience. Takes quite some skill and timing.
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Post by djp on Apr 25, 2018 21:06:36 GMT
Most of the people here who have seen it in the last few months have been underwhelmed and all cite a similar reason to ensembleswings. It can’t be a coincidence. 3 people can be significant , or a completely random coincidence. Against that it sold out the Marlowe here all week, It got loud standing ovations each time I saw it, and had the punters praising Miss Barbe as they climbed the stairs leaving. Its also picked up excellent reviews, from everywhere else I Looked at. If you judged it by those criteria, its one of the best shows currently running. Parts of the ensemble were more impactful than others, but thats inevitable if you cast within a finite pool that fits a narrow requirement, and is willing and avalable to tour. Some were very very good - notably the drifters. Its also irrelevant to most people if songs were supposedly sung better, or the sound system was, in London . I can't see, the argument for the story being weak. Its the story they have , and the story is the story of the writer, as told in her songs. As musical theatre stories go, its a pretty strong story of life's major ups and downs, overcoming them, and progressing. The audience clearly bought into the story - as they vocally got behind Carole as it progressed. Some may not like the humour but thats almost inevitable if people just expect a documentary, or have little sense of humour - the important thing is that the audience in the main is laughing- ideally at the right points. Overall I think its the only musical I would think of giving 5 stars to of those I have seen in the last 6 months, its a got a top class performance from its lead - who was a great piece of casting , a strong or solid ensemble, no annoying names who can't do whats needed, some great songs from someone who could actually write good songs, a decent story thats not a copy of something else , or makes no sense, and a happy audience. after. |
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Post by LaLuPone on May 7, 2018 18:17:05 GMT
I know this is really the UK thread but Melissa Benoist (Marley from Glee and Supergirl in Supergirl) will be taking over as Carole for the summer on Broadway. Quite exciting!
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Post by Being Alive on May 8, 2018 17:30:27 GMT
Haven’t seen the show for about 2 and a half years, but am catching it tonight in Oxford. It’s my favourite jukebox musical by a mile, and I can’t wait to see it again!
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5,139 posts
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Post by Being Alive on May 14, 2018 22:53:05 GMT
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5,138 posts
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Post by TallPaul on May 21, 2018 13:31:38 GMT
Travelzoo has some deals available for Leeds next week.
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Post by daniel on May 29, 2018 17:49:11 GMT
Loved this at Wimbledon on Saturday. Sure, Ms Barbe had an odd vocal problem at the very end of act 1 (a few notes came out all muddled / muffled) but she really had "ditzy" down - and if she was miming on the keyboard, it was pretty decent. Star by a mile for me was Amy Ellen Richardson. Don't remember ever seeing her before, but wow, she can act and sing. Tour looked as good as any West End production IMHO. Will blog more next week, I think. also thoroughly enjoyed it! Third time seeing the tour, after one visit during each Birmingham leg - definitely felt the most energetic it has this time round. Ms Richardson was Kathy in the UK tour of Singin in the Rain a few years back, and was equally brilliant! |
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Post by Dawnstar on May 29, 2018 19:19:57 GMT
Star by a mile for me was Amy Ellen Richardson. Don't remember ever seeing her before, but wow, she can act and sing. She was in the ensemble of the Regent's Park Crazy For You so if you saw that (and I'm guessing you probably did) then you will have seen her before. She then took over the role of Patsy towards the end of the run at the Aldwych when Alexis Owen Hobbs left early (possibly went on maternity leave but it's hard to remember 6 years on) but given it's a small role I'm afraid I can't say I remember much about her performance. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2019 23:30:56 GMT
Not worth starting a whole new thread, but a bravo to the Broadway production on their five year anniversary is well worth a cheeky little post.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 16:56:42 GMT
So the 5th Anniversary on Broadway was pretty incredible by the looks of things! Chilina Kennedy exited the stage on the 5th Anniversary performance, and who showed up but Carole King herself, performing the song Beautiful at the end! Amazing!
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Post by biffo on Jan 16, 2019 10:04:42 GMT
Is a new UK tour planned in 2019 for this?
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 15, 2019 16:17:33 GMT
Looks like Beautiful is touring again next year. Have just received an email to book for Bromley, Saturday 11 to Saturday 18 January 2020.
It could well be the first stop on the tour as the run unusually starts on a Saturday.
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Post by LaLuPone on Apr 15, 2019 16:39:35 GMT
YES!! Love this show!
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Apr 15, 2019 16:42:15 GMT
I'm surprised a new tour is starting so soon, did the first one do that well? I'm intirgued as to who they'll cast as Carole?
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Post by ruby on Apr 16, 2019 22:29:20 GMT
Excellent, that's my parents' birthday presents sorted next year then. I expect I'll enjoy it too as I saw Cassidy Jansen singing some of the songs and she was awesome.
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Post by danieljohnson14 on Apr 17, 2019 7:35:39 GMT
Cassidy was brilliant when I saw the show, I found her to actually be superior to Katie Brayben in many aspects having seen both.
I like this show alot, but there is a point in Act 1, pretty much five minutes before the interval where I start getting bored, and it's happened both times I've seen it now. I don't know why it is, I think just because of the repetitive nature of Act 1, it does kinda drag toward the end. But it's a show that definitely gets better in Act 2 for me.
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Post by latefortheoverture on Apr 24, 2019 12:11:31 GMT
Full dates have been announced BEAUTIFUL UK TOUR LISTINGS 2020 SATURDAY 11 JANUARY - SATURDAY 18 JANUARY The Churchill Theatre, Bromley www.churchilltheatre.co.ukON SALE NOW TUESDAY 21 JANUARY - SATURDAY 25 JANUARY Hull New Theatre www.hulltheatres.co.ukON SALE FRIDAY 26 APRIL TUESDAY 28 JANUARY - SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatreON SALE NOW MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY - SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY Royal & Derngate, Northampton www.royalandderngate.co.ukNOW ON SALE MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY - SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY Congress Theatre, Eastbourne www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/congress-theatreON SALE FRIDAY 26 APRIL TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY - SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY New Victoria Theatre, Woking www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatreON SALE WEDNESDAY 8 MAY TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY - SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY Bristol Hippodrome www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/ON SALE WEDNESDAY 8 MAY TUESDAY 3 MARCH - SATURDAY 7 MARCH The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/the-alhambra-theatreON SALE MONDAY 20 MAY MONDAY 9 MARCH - SATURDAY 14 MARCH Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff www.wmc.org.ukON SALE MONDAY 20 MAY TUESDAY 17 MARCH - SATURDAY 21 MARCH Sunderland Empire www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/ON SALE WEDNESDAY 8 MAY TUESDAY 24 MARCH - SATURDAY 28 MARCH New Wimbledon Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/ON SALE WEDNESDAY 8 MAY TUESDAY 7 APRIL - SATURDAY 11 APRIL Milton Keynes Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/ON SALE WEDNESDAY 8 MAY TUESDAY 14 APRIL - SATURDAY 18 APRIL Venue Cymru, Llandudno www.venuecymru.co.uk/ON SALE FRIDAY 3 MAY TUESDAY 21APRIL - SATURDAY 25 APRIL Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury www.marlowetheatre.com/ON SALE SOON TUESDAY 28 APRIL - SATURDAY 2 MAY Cliffs Pavilion, Southend www.southendtheatres.org.ukON SALE TUESDAY 30 APRIL TUESDAY 5 MAY - SATURDAY 9 MAY Edinburgh Playhouse www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/ON SALE SOON TUESDAY 19 MAY - SATURDAY 23 MAY Liverpool Empire www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/ON SALE SOON TUESDAY 26 MAY - SATURDAY 30 MAY King's Theatre, Glasgow www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre/ON SALE SOON TUESDAY 2 JUNE - SATURDAY 6 JUNE Royal Concert Hall Nottingham www.trch.co.uk/ON SALE SOON |
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Post by danieljohnson14 on May 8, 2019 19:56:35 GMT
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