NewsBite

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical star declared the best

THERE may be six productions of Beautiful showing around the world, but Melbourne star Esther Hannaford has been declared the best.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical opens at Her Majesty's Theatre this week. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical opens at Her Majesty's Theatre this week. Picture: Alex Coppel.

THERE may be six productions of Beautiful showing around the world but Melbourne star Esther Hannaford has been declared the best.

ARIANDA GRANDE PULLS OUT OF TRIBUTE

INSIDE RIHANNA’S INCREDIBLE 30TH BIRTHDAY

STAR ‘TOOK DRUGS WHILE PREGNANT’

NEW ALBUMS REVIEWED: VANCE JOY, MGMT AND MORE

The show’s US writer, Douglas McGrath, said today she was unique.

“I’ve heard (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman sung many times now,” McGrath said.

“The show has been going for five years on Broadway now and there were five years before that to create it so I’ve heard that song a lot but nobody sings it like Esther Hannaford. I just think she’s amazing.”

Esther Hannaford, as Carole, has been declared the best singer of the lot. Picture: Alex Coppel
Esther Hannaford, as Carole, has been declared the best singer of the lot. Picture: Alex Coppel
The cast performs Carole King’s top hits in the musical. Picture: Alex Coppel
The cast performs Carole King’s top hits in the musical. Picture: Alex Coppel

US producer Mike Bosner shared his enthusiasm.

“The amazing thing about Esther is that she puts a new spin on a song every time and finds the vulnerability,” Bosner said.

“Every time I see her perform, she’s different because her emotions propel her and that’s what makes her so special.”

Hannaford said she was still finding new expression in the music of legendary US composer Carole King.

The production stars a diverse cast. Picture: Alex Coppel.
The production stars a diverse cast. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical has been going for five years on Broadway. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical has been going for five years on Broadway. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Songs such as You’ve Got a Friend, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow and I Feel the Earth Move are just some of the hits featured in the show.

“I always try to connect to the lyrics in my heart because that’s the most important thing for me,” Hannaford said.

“I have the technique but as soon as I walk on stage, it’s all about emotion for me so I let go and just connect to the words.”

Beautiful opens Friday night at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/beautiful-the-carol-king-musical-star-declared-the-best/news-story/84a8e3b40248250fafdeaad34f6d3cc1