I used to love going to a musical stage show. I was brought up on the likes of The King and I and My Fair Lady and played the LP soundtrack of South Pacific until I practically knew it backwards. Progressing to the many Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals and the marvellous Cameron Mackintosh productions was as effortless as moving on from Elvis to the Beatles in my teens.
Try as I might though, I just can’t seem to come to grips with the Modern Musical genre that captivates my DGCs.
The plots seem so complicated - unless they’re based on true life, in which case we can at least get the gist but everything seems distorted by the shouting/screeching delivery of the so called songs.
A simple plot is often over complicated to the point where I often have to rely on Wikipedia to help me out (not during the show, I hasten to add.)
Last night I went to see the excellent production of Operation Mincemeat. A review would take too long to write but the talented cast of five kept the show moving at such a pace that some of the humour didn’t hit the mark (for me) There was barely time for the audience to draw breath, let alone the cast.
My real sadness though was that on the way home, I couldn’t remember a single song and if I hadn’t already known the plot I wouldn’t have grasped what it was all about. 🤔
Is it just me?
So glad to hear of someone else who didn't enjoy Les Mis, Kate. Or Cats. Xx
I think we're in the minority kitty.
Kate1949
I love
The King and I
Buddy
Blood Brothers
Jersey Boys
Miss Saigon
We Will Rock You
B
I remember going to see Blood Brothers in Bristol years ago. I whispered to my friend "thought David Cassidy was in this?" She whispered back "That's him, the little boy on the stage now." 😁 Clodagh Rodgers played Mrs Johnstone.
I love live shows, theatre is magical, I’ve enjoyed musicals in theatres for many years, old and new.
If I didn’t like the sound of one, I generally wouldn’t go.
Last musical I saw was last years tour of Kinky Boots with Johannes from Strictly.
I’ve seen this twice now and seen Les Mis three times.
In the last couple of years we’ve also seen Jersey Boys, Strictly Ballroom, Wicked and Grease, thoroughly enjoyed them all.
Joseph and his technicoloured Dream Coat- Jason Donavan . The best ever!!!
Norah I hated ‘Starlight Express’ was bored stiff couldn’t wait for it to be over same with ‘Cats’ KittyLester hated every minute of it.
Absolutely love BloodBrothers my very favourite, also LesMis
and Joseph
I’m going to see Miss Saigon next month as it’s on tour near me. It will be the fourth time I’ve seen it and I’m still looking forward to it. My absolute favourite is Les Miss and would happily see that many more times. Loved Phantom at first but wouldn’t really rush to see it again and was disappointed with Love Never Dies. We’re taking our DGD to see Barnam this Saturday so hope that will be good. We took her to see Starlight Express last year and can’t wait to take her to see Cats when it tours next year.
I saw Kinky Boots too, and Hairspray and Moulin Rouge. They weren't as familiar as the traditional musicals to me but I still enjoyed them.
I have seen "The Rocky Horror Show" several times and I love it. I also like "Little Shop of Horrors."
I toured as Rowena in "Salad Days" many years ago but I can't say I liked it as a musical.
Allira We've seen Blood Brothers a few times. We were lucky enough once to see Helen Reddy as Mrs Johnstone.
Years ago we saw Hair, The Mousetrap, Budgie (I think it was) with lovely Adam FAith. We also saw Becket with Derek Jacobi and Robert Lindsay. Lovely memories.
BrandyGran
Joseph and his technicoloured Dream Coat- Jason Donavan . The best ever!!!
I saw Jason Donovan in Priscilla of the Desert, I’d forgotten that one, also excellent.
Not a Musicals fan at all - been dragged (kicking and screaming) to Wicked, Buddy and Jersey Boys. ABBA would be my nightmare. However, I did enjoy The Lion King on Broadway, partly because the American audiences don’t hold back. DDs are great fans of Rocky Horror.
Just seen a youth version of West Side Story - was great although am not a fan of most of the songs. My fave is Joseph. We also sing and listen to a lot of Hamilton in this house!
Kate1949
We saw Seven Drunken Nights, the songs of The Dubliners recently. We love Irish music. I'm from an Irish family. What a show that was. 🎻 🎵
It’s not a musical though is it?🤔
Why would you see a rip off like Miss Saigon when you could see the real thing, Madam Butterfly?
I love musicals. Hard to pick a favourite. I particularly love the old ‘Hollywood’ type stage musicals. Anything Goes, 42nd Street, White Christmas etc. I loved a Chorus Line, Funny Girl and also big long running productions like Phantom, Wicked and Lion King. We saw Anything Goes and Hamilton on the same London break. They were both amazing but so different. I’ve also seen some excellent shows at my local theatre. A real escape from reality. I haven’t seen Les Mis yet but it’s on my list.
I’m almost embarrassed to say this but my D and GD have seen Priscilla Queen of the Desert several times.
I am embarrassed because I understand it is quite naughty and that’s all I know about it.
I have realised I don’t even know if it is a musical.
It is a musical Usedtobeblonde. It’s a bit risqué, it’s based on the lives of drag queens, but there is nothing shocking about it, it’s funny and sad at the same time, and there are some great songs in it.
Hollysteers. Well it sort of is a musical. It has music in it and a story was being told.
Kate1949
Allira We've seen Blood Brothers a few times. We were lucky enough once to see Helen Reddy as Mrs Johnstone.
Years ago we saw Hair, The Mousetrap, Budgie (I think it was) with lovely Adam FAith. We also saw Becket with Derek Jacobi and Robert Lindsay. Lovely memories.
Clodagh Rodgers was superb in Blood Brothers, Kate1949
I hadn't realised she had died last year.
RIP Clodagh
hollysteers
Why would you see a rip off like Miss Saigon when you could see the real thing, Madam Butterfly?
Because it was good?
Because we can see both if we wish? Because some of us remember the Vietnam War ad the suffering of the people?
I'm sure rip-off is not really an appropriate term to describe a musical which shows the suffering of people in more modern times than Puccini's opera, which was based on a short story.
I've seen Madam Butterfly. I went with my daughter. We were bored.
Magenta8 and FGT2
I quite like the old musicals,but I don't enjoy the newer ones .
I prefer Opera as well .
It all started when I was given Madame Butterfly aged eight .
I love Musicals and living 30 minutes on the train to London . I try and go regularly. I saw Evita at the palladium last year and saw Elaine Paige in the role back in the late 70s .
Les Mis is one of my favourites and I loved Hamilton.
I’m pretty easy to please , I like traditional musicals like 42 street and more modern ones like Six . Another favourite is The Girl from the North Country based on Bob Dylan’s songs .
The one I was disappointed in was Matilda. Enjoyed the film and read the book to my kids . But the musical was a bit meh .
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