We chatted to Molly about starring as Carole King in the new UK tour of Beautiful the Musical.
How does it feel to be starring as Carole King?It’s really a privilege and an honour to be, one – such an icon and a legendary musician and writer, and two – the fact that she’s still with us, being incredible. It’s quite rare to be in a show where you get to play homage to an artist that is still around. It makes it ten times as nerve-wracking as they’re still there but it’s nice to say “thank you”. It’s a big love letter and it’s nice to be able to do that when the artist is still around.
What was it that made you want to be part of this production? Because she’s amazing and her music is amazing! It’s been around forever, and it’s influenced people in ways you don’t even realise.
When did you first hear Carole King’s music? I definitely was very small. My Granddad gave me the vinyl of Tapestry and we used to have an old vinyl player in our living room – I definitely played Tapestry quite a lot. That time period of music was very influential to me as a kid.
What are you most looking forward to about audiences catching this production? The fact that they’re going to be able to experience this show with complete live music from an ensemble. The energy that brings is very different to what people are used to from a traditional musical. I think they’re going to engage with the story on a different level because you get to have that communal experience. You’re invited to share this with us. A lot of the time the audience is very removed from a show and you’re expected to observe like a piece of art or a painting but theatre is so interactive and I think it really should be by allowing the audience to engage with us and inviting them to be a part of what we’re feeling. It’s going to be special.
What for you makes this musical special? As above!
Have you a favourite song in the show? It’s tricky as they’re all amazing. I think Beautiful, the title song of the show. It’s such a powerful song and you get it at the end of her journey. The fact that she goes through everything that she goes through and then she kicks out a belter of a song that is the epitome of positive mindset. It’s totally undefeated determination to succeed and to be happy and she doesn’t let anyone put her down. It’s a very big moment in the show and it has an amazing solo at the end.
What have you enjoyed the most about doing Beautiful so far? The people, everyone’s amazing and so lovely. I’ve never experienced such a wonderful bunch of people. It’s the end of week two of rehearsals and it feels like we’ve known each other for years. It’s going to be amazing.
By Emma Clarendon
Beautiful the Musical begins performances at the Curve in Leicester from the 28th February until the 12th March before embarking on a UK tour.