There are tribute shows, and then there are performances that feel like a rightful continuation of a legacy. Cassidy Janson’s celebration of Carole King sits firmly in the latter category, part homage, part personal journey, and wholly captivating. Janson returned to her portrayal of King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, not in character, but in spirit, revisiting the songs and stories that have shaped her career. What emerged was not just a retrospective, but a warm, often intimate evening that balanced reverence with personality.
From the moment she bounced onto the stage in a vibrant evening dress and launched into ‘I Feel the Earth Move’, Janson had the audience in the palm of her hand. Her anecdote about performing the song with King herself in Hyde Park in 2016 set the tone: this was a performer with both credibility and charm, able to wear her achievements lightly.
The set list moved fluidly between King’s catalogue and Janson’s own experiences. ‘Where You Lead’ gave way to a cleverly chosen Beatles pairing, ‘Chains’, one of King’s early compositions, and ‘Here, There and Everywhere’, delivered in the style of Celine Dion’s arrangement. It was a reminder not only of King’s far-reaching influence, but of Janson’s versatility as an interpreter.
Stories threaded naturally through the music. Her account of recording with Beverley Knight during her West End run, and of being asked by Amy Winehouse’s mother to perform ‘So Far Away’ for her daughter’s charity, added emotional texture without ever tipping into self-indulgence. Janson’s gift lies in her ability to make such moments feel shared rather than showcased.
Her own material sat comfortably alongside the classics. ‘Fairytale’ and ‘You Beat Me to Goodbye’, the latter a song gifted to her by King, were performed with sincerity and conviction, reinforcing her credentials as more than a custodian of another artist’s work.
A spirited ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’ brought the first half to a close, before Janson returned, now in a striking orange dress, for a second act that leaned further into vocal power. ‘Up on the Roof’ proved a standout, its emotional clarity and control marking it as one of the evening’s finest moments.
Backed by a tight, sympathetic band, Adam Dennis on keyboards, Chris Dodd on upright bass, and Al Cherry on guitar, Janson was given space to explore both the nuance and scale of these songs. Whether on the upbeat ‘On My Way’ or ‘Widow Woman’ from Fisherman’s Friends, the arrangements never overshadowed the performance.
The closing sequence captured the essence of the show. Pairing ‘Fire and Rain’ with ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, Janson traced the emotional and musical dialogue between James Taylor and Carole King. It was a fitting reminder of the interconnectedness at the heart of this music.
A well-deserved standing ovation followed, and the encore, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’, felt less like a finale and more like a statement of intent. That King herself was moved to tears by Janson’s rendition in Beautiful speaks volumes. This was more than a tribute. It was an artist honouring her influences while quietly asserting her own place among them.
Cassidy Janson’s tour continues across the UK and details can be found here, ‘Cassidy Janson sings Carole King’ Tour 2026 — Cassidy Janson
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 20.04.2026
