Up On The Roof - a beautiful tribute to Carole King

IT’S not an overstatement to call Carole King a musical legend. Just go have a look at her Wikipedia page, which is what I did after seeing Up On The Roof – The Carole King Songbook at Theatre On The Bay last week.

Whether you’re a lifetime fan, don’t know her music at all, or – like me – a fan who only knows a little bit, mainly her album Tapestry (which features her cat on the cover, read more about him here), it’s two hours of beautiful music performed by a supremely talented cast, on a gorgeous sigh-inducing set with exquisite lighting. Oh, and delightfully retro costumes that someone (wardrobe co-ordinator Elizma Badenhorst) must have had an absolute blast sourcing. As much as they placed the visual firmly in the folksy hippie 1970s when King was at her peak, such outfits would not be entirely out of place today and there was more than one piece I quietly coveted.

As someone with until now only a very general working knowledge of Carole King and her achievements, I loved that there were surprises for me. I did not know she and her first husband Gerry Goffin wrote The Loco-Motion for Little Eva, and Take Good Care Of My Baby for Bobby Vee, a decade and more before Tapestry. These are but two of the many songs they penned for other artists, and her own songs have been covered extensively.

Up On The Roof is not only an homage to this magnificent singer-songwriter, but informs as well, and had me digging into the internet to learn even more. The ensemble cast of six is exceptional. Where on earth do they find all these incredible women who play musical instruments as well as sing like angels? The talent up there on that stage is awesome, in the truest 16th century sense of the word, whether they are singing individually, sharing a song, or harmonising.

It was an evening well spent.

PRESS RELEASE

Renowned for her extraordinary contributions to the music industry, Carole King has left an indelible mark with her iconic compositions such as You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, I Feel The Earth Move, You’ve Got A Friend, and many more. This captivating musical journey through Carole King’s repertoire brings these beloved songs and many more to life.

This production features a cast of six multi-talented female performers including Ashley Butcher (bass, guitar, ukulele), Louise Duhain (piano/keyboards), Angelica Hattingh (guitar), Sanli Jooste (cello), Neo Motaung (percussion) and Tiisetso Sefatsa (percussion), with musical direction by Wessel Odendaal.

“With new arrangements of timeless folk and pop melodies the performers create a lively and intimate atmosphere that reminds us of those unforgettable nights we have spent with friends, making music and telling stories throughout the night until the sun came up”, says Jaco Van Rensburg, VR Theatrical.

Throughout the performance, interactive moments will invite the audience to sing along, creating a collective celebration of music and connection. Director Elizma Badenhorst says, “This resonates deeply with Carole King’s belief in the power of music to bring people together, and uplift the human spirit”.

Click here for interview with show director, Elizma Badenhorst and VR Theatrical producer, Jaco Van Rensburg.

Up On The Roof – The Carole King Songbook is more than just a tribute show; it is a homage to an iconic artist whose music has become the soundtrack of some of our most treasured memories, and it is a reminder that music connects us all, and that we have more in common with one another than what we might think.

Theatre On the Bay and VR Theatrical invite you to a night of nostalgia, extraordinary talent, and perennial melodies that have left an indelible mark on both the music industry and our lives.

Up On The Roof – The Carole King Songbook is at Theatre On The Bay for a limited season until 21 October, before transferring to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Main Theatre from 1 – 26 November, 2023.