Some of "the most memorable hits of the 20th century" will be performed on stage at the Wyllyotts Theatre when Beautiful, The Carole King Musical comes to town.

Potters Bar will be resounding to the sound of the 60s and 70s next week when Beautiful, The Carole King Musical opens at the Wyllyotts Theatre on Tuesday, May 7.

Featuring a tapestry of iconic songs, this regional premiere of the jukebox musical is being presented by local theatre company Green Room Productions. 

The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning musical tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom.

Potters Bar audiences will experience the highs and lows of Carole King’s career— from the song writing of her teens to the wildly successful platinum album Tapestry — all set to the music that we know and love.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Rehearsals for Green Room's production of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical.Rehearsals for Green Room's production of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical. (Image: Green Room Productions)


Beautiful day

Potters Bar performances of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical run from Tuesday, May 7 to Saturday, May 11, at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

There is a BSL interpreted performance on the Saturday evening.

Some performances have already sold out, but remaining tickets can be booked via the Wyllyotts Theatre website www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk or 01707 645005.


St Albans & Harpenden Review: Rehearsals for Beautiful, The Carole King MusicalRehearsals for Beautiful, The Carole King Musical (Image: Green Room Productions)

Carole King, who recorded classic album Tapestry, is played by Caroline Fitch, who was last seen on the Wyllyotts stage as Bonnie Parker in Green Room’s gripping production of Bonnie and Clyde.

Caroline said: “Emerging at the beginnings of the contemporary music scene, Carole King had an ambition to be heard and to speak truth in her music: it is a joy to tell her story and perform her songs on stage.

"Carole wrote some of the most memorable hits of the 20th century — timeless classics that speak to generations now. Even after being immersed in the script and music for several months I cannot tire of this score, embracing such wonderful music.”

Carole King fought her way into the record industry at 17 and, by the age of 20, had married Gerry Goffin and was writing number one hits for some of the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll at the time, including The Drifters, The Shirelles, Aretha Franklin and The Monkees.

Her incredible journey produced the soundtrack to a generation, including such unforgettable classics as You've Got a Friend, One Fine Day, So Far Away, Take Good Care of My Baby, Up on the Roof, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, I Feel the Earth Move and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, all of which feature in the stage show. 

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Green Room Productions presents Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalGreen Room Productions presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Image: Green Room Productions)

The story of Carole and Gerry’s friendship and rivalry with competing songwriters, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, is also told in the show, which includes hits from that duo including You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, made famous by The Righteous Brothers, and On Broadway recorded by The Drifters.

The Shirelles, The Drifters, The Righteous Brothers, Neil Sedaka and Little Eva, who was the first to record The Locomotion, together with a host of other characters, are brought to life by a hugely talented cast of 28.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Rehearsals for Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalRehearsals for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Image: Green Room Productions)

Alastair Woodgate, Green Room’s chairperson, said: “We are thrilled to have been granted the rights to present this story of one of the most famous singer-songwriters in the world.

"Everyone knows the music, even if they didn’t realise it came from the pen of Carole King. Her output represents one of the most amazing catalogues of pop music ever written.” 

The show weaves both her professional and personal realities, triumphs, and challenges, into a theatrical ‘tapestry’ that's full of sensitivity and humour.

Alastair added: “The title song, ‘Beautiful’ is about attacking each day with joy, optimism and love: it’s a great sentiment and one we hope to convey to our audiences.”