West End star delivers a masterclass in storytelling, musicianship and effortless charm in an intimate, unforgettable concert
Cassidy Janson proved exactly why she’s one of the West End’s most compelling performers, bringing warmth, wit and a velvet-smooth vocal to a set packed with Carole King classics, personal favourites and stories that had the sold‑out Bolton Octagon audience completely captivated.
Cassidy Janson is one of the West End’s leading ladies and I’ve seen her perform on many occasions, in shows like Chess and &Juliet, in which she played Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway. Her acting ability is beyond question, her comic timing is exceptional and her singing is note perfect.
Seeing her in concert, in the intimate setting of the Bolton Octagon was a very different experience for me. I’d never seen her in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical but I was aware that she had played the lead, in that show, in the West End for two years. I have a Cassidy Janson album in my collection, so I was fully aware of her style and what to expect from the show; she didn’t disappoint.
She was a class act from beginning to end. Her three man backing band, which consisted of keys, bass and lead guitar looked effortless and smooth throughout and everything was designed to show off Cassidy’s soulful singing.
Between the songs, mainly Carole King’s, there were self-written contributions, a song gifted to her by Carole King, after being so impressed by her performances in the West End and even a song by the Beatles. All were performed in her silky style that had the sellout audience in the palm of her hand.
Her stories between the songs were genuinely interesting and were paced beautifully, but always delivered with humour and humility. Although her appearance at the Bolton Octagon was a one off, she continues her short tour until the beginning of July. If you get a chance to see her perform, I highly recommend you do.