Theatre News

Carole King musical Beautiful opens in West End in 2015

The Broadway import will open at the Aldwych Theatre in February

Jessie Mueller and Jake Epstein in Beautiful on Broadway
Jessie Mueller and Jake Epstein in Beautiful on Broadway
© Joan Marcus

Following much speculation, it has been announced that Carole King musical Beautiful will transfer to London, opening at the Aldwych Theatre on 25 February 2015 (previews from 10 February).

The show, which premiered on Broadway in January to acclaim, tells the true story of King's rise to stardom from being part of a chart-topping songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in pop.

Beautiful will also embark on a US tour beginning next September.

The Broadway production starred Jessie Mueller as Carole King, but the UK one will feature an all-British cast, according to Baz Bamigboye in the Daily Mail. Details will be released at a later date.

King said of the news: "This show is an honest portrayal of my early life with Gerry Goffin and our friendship with our competitors Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It captures the essence of my emergence as a singer and my growth as a woman. I love that the next chapter of the Beautiful story is taking place in London’s West End. I have so many good friends in London and warm memories of good times there. I can't wait to re-visit."

Producer Paul Blake added: "Carole King might be a native New Yorker, but her story of struggle and triumph is as universal as they come – and her music is loved the world over."

Public booking for the show opens today, 5 September 2014, and the show is currently booking to 13 June 2015.