Carole King’s ‘Beautiful

Beautiful The Carole King Musical

So why has Beautiful: The Carole King Musical proven so popular and resonated with audiences of all ages some 60 years since many of these songs were originally released, and nearly 50 years after ‘Tapesty’? “Well, I suppose it’s because to many people the music you hear in the show was the soundtrack of their generation” explains Carole, “but then those people have since played these tracks to their children and grandchildren and so new generations are enjoying a sense of ownership over these songs. The show contains songs like “You’ve Got A Friend” that I wrote many years ago but are still sung today, and hopefully still connect with people. The show really is a testament to the music, but the book is so good, as well as how it all comes together with the lighting, set and sound.”

Telling the story of one of the most successful songwriters of all time, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy award-winning musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical arrives at Milton Keynes Theatre this April as part of a UK Tour following a successful two and a half year run in London’s West End and a sell-out tour in 2017/18. King’s now iconic 1971 album ‘Tapestry’ was released when she was just 29-years old, and yet by this time she already had a string of over 100 chart hits written with Gerry Goffin, her former husband and song writing partner in the 1960s, including “The Loco-Motion” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow. ”Beautiful: The Carole King Musical offers audiences the chance to peek inside Carole King’s early life and the writing process of this now legendary duo alongside their fellow songwriters Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Speaking about the show, and how it feels to witness your life story being told on stage, sixtime Grammy Award winner King describes the process saying, “I was actually there for an early reading of the show and it reached a climactic and emotional moment within my life. At that moment I really began to realise that yes, this show was going to be great, however I knew I couldn’t stay for the second half of the reading!” Despite the show telling the story of Carole’s early years from teenage sensation to solo performer of iconic status, she didn’t actually see the show until several months in, “I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it initially, as it is my own past!”, but having heard from friends and family how much they loved the production she eventually ventured into the theatre. “Gerry and my Carole King is renowned for understating her remarkable success, and despite having written her first number one hit by the time she was seventeen years old, she still didn’t anticipate becoming a performer herself. “We were writing enough songs to pay our mortgage” she famously said in her 2012 autobiography, playing down the massive catalogue of hits she has written over the years. When pushed to acknowledge her immense talent, Carole says, “Looking back on my childhood I guess you could say there was an element of being a prodigy but I like to think I was given a gift with music. But I have studied hard and I like to think that I’m smart and I use my brain. I hope that comes across when people see ‘Beautiful’ on tour in the UK”.

The UK holds a special place in Carole King’s heart when it comes to Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as she was able to join the cast on their opening night. “Being at the West End premiere of the show was incredible. I didn’t attend the Broadway opening night performance, so it was particularly special to see the show in London. It’s always a bit surreal to see people you know, and people you knew, embodied so well by performers on stage but really wonderful at the same time. I love watching people come and see them forget about their cares and troubles for two hours and forty minutes,” she said. “It’s a wonderful feeling. ‘Beautiful’ is such a terrific show and I hope audiences will love it as it tours the UK in 2020 as much as they did when I sat in the auditorium in London with them then!” Beautiful: The Carole King Musical runs at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday 7th until Saturday 11th April 2020. Tickets are on sale now at www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes. 61

STARS

Manish Kumar Arora (K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant) reveals what’s in store for you this month

Pisces (19 February – 20 March) You can organise truces, make compromises, meet people in the middle, and help everyone to get along. You want to have some peace and harmony in your life so your mind works at its optimum level, and you can try to bring some mental balance in, focusing on all areas of life equally. You can be creative and enjoy spending time on your hobbies. You can be more positive about life, and can be theatrical and funny too, and people enjoy conversing with you. Favourable Dates: March 3, 8, 12, 17, 21, 26 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red

Aries (21 March – 19 April) You would pursue your long-fought ambitions with renewed vigour and strength. You would be revealing your inherent talents to the workforce. Exposure to new ideas open up new worlds to you. The first half of the month would be very much exhausting while the latter half shall see you off sailing smoothly. You may find your closest relationships are challenged, and it will be up to you to practice and model respecting each other's boundaries. Favourable Dates: March 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Black Taurus (20 April – 20 May) You are learning to develop the courage to strike out on your own individual and creative path without fear. This period enhances your ability to handle the details required to do a good job, and others become more aware of your skills. Chances are excellent that you will find a lovely confidante–someone to share your daily activities and thoughts with–even if this is an online friend or other casual connection. Favourable Dates: March 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 24 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Red Gemini (21 May – 20 June) This period represents a time in your life in which you build a secure foundation in your professional and public life. You find yourself in the spotlight, and what it is exactly that you have been building may come up for inspection. Those of you in creative fields may find your energy turning inward now. You would be learning how to give more of yourself creatively and romantically when appropriate. Favourable Dates: March 1, 9, 10, 18, 19, 27 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue Cancer (21 June – 22 July) This can be an excellent time to start a new project, venture, or journey that you can work on. You continue to be more sociable and have a stronger desire to bring balance and harmony to your life. You may prefer hobbies that you can pursue alone, without the help of anyone. In love, you like to take charge. Your closest relationships would grow by leaps and bounds, and the time you spend together benefits you all immensely. Favourable Dates: March 4, 9, 13, 16, 18, 22 Favourable Colours: White & Blue Leo (23 July – 22 August) You want to keep your mind busy with lots to do to use up the extra mental energy that you have now. You enjoy being around others because they help challenge your mind and keep you mentally stimulated. Those of you who are single may find love among different cultures, while partnered ones will find this is a great time to forge stronger relationships. You can count on your pals to be there for you. Favourable Dates: March 4, 8, 13, 17, 22, 31 Favourable Colours: White & Blue Virgo (23 August – 22 September) You have a positive attitude and people enjoy being around you because of it. You can come up with a new idea that you’re excited about, commit yourself to lots of little projects, are more sociable, and more outspoken. You’re charming and can attract many suitors, though you can keep them at a distance emotionally. Your hobbies may be unconventional, and you go into everything you try with enthusiasm. Favourable Dates: March 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25 Favourable Colours: White & Purple Libra (23 September – 22 October) You are likely to see benefits, and experience growth in the areas of romance, pleasure, creative expression, hobbies, entertainment, and children. Your fair share of fun, romance, and good times are in store. Your willingness to enjoy yourself and explore your creativity now brings new opportunities. This may also be a very psychic time, and those of you who are given to messages from beyond could find the spirits are very active. Favourable Dates: March 5, 7, 14, 16, 23, 25 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Grey Scorpio (23 October – 21 November) You need to guard against risky financial moves, gambling, and the like. You might find some conflict involving your pursuit of pleasure in this month. Unsettled financial matters could get in the way of your desire to indulge in extra-curricular activities. You no longer view your place in the world, your career, and your reputation with rosecolored glasses. In the second half, you might meet someone with whom you establish a serious friendship. Favourable Dates: March 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Green Sagittarius (22 November - 21 December) Your creativity is stimulated this month, but so is your excitability and your need for freedom. You are likely to be more outspoken than usual, perhaps even rebellious. You need to make sure your optimism isn’t unrealistic, and your good feelings don’t become arrogance. Love affairs can move on to the next level as they mature and become better founded. Relationships with the children in your life are enriching and inspiring to you now. Favourable Dates: March 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22 Favourable Colours: Blue & Green Capricorn (22 December – 19 January) You are learning to develop the courage to strike out on your own individual and creative path without fear. You take a hard look at the role you play in others’ lives, and consider exactly what it is that satisfies you and contributes to your happiness, beyond marriage, romance, career, religion, and so forth.. You want to keep things casual in love if single, can make it passionate but don’t want anything beyond that. Favourable Dates: March 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22 Favourable Colours: Blue & Green Aquarius (20 January – 18 February) Your creativity and social life are stimulated this month, and plenty of opportunities to express yourself uniquely and creatively are likely to present themselves. This is a fabulous period in which to take a vacation you’ve always wanted to take, to try out a new hobby or creative project/approach. Your ability to renew and refresh could benefit your closest relationships, so think about ways you can inject new passion into your sex life. Favourable Dates: March 5, 7, 14, 16, 23, 25 Favourable Colours: Blue & White manishastroconsultant manish@manishastrologer.com 65