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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is there something wrong with me? I hate musicals.

212 replies

Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 20:21

AIBU? I'm 62 and all my friends seem to have developed a passion for musicals. I have been to quite a few with friends to be sociable and to see if I could get to like them but, with each musical, my dislike of them just grows. I find them contrived, and the music average and the whole experience very boring. I sit there hoping it's over soon. I go to be sociable but it's not an event where you chat or do an activity together. We simply sit, glued to a chair. Some musicals are better than others but overall I'd always rather be anywhere else, even home. Is there anyone else out there who gets my dislike? Am I destined to be a social pariah? My friends seem puzzled and a bit offended by my attitude.

OP posts:
alwaysamused · 12/05/2025 04:11

Find more friends who do other things maybe?

channelislander · 12/05/2025 04:06

I love a musical! I love most musicals, with the exception of some real rotters.

But there's nothing wrong with not liking them, or even hating them! My best friend can't stand 99% of musicals, I don't think he's missing out on anything because of it. Luckily for me I have other friends who are more than happy for a trip to the theatre, but I completely understand they're not everyone's jam and I wouldn't ever think something was wrong with someone for not enjoying a particular form of entertainment.

JuliaLivilla · 12/05/2025 03:57

Toooldforthisbollocks · 11/05/2025 22:39

I don’t like them either but strangely enjoyed the tv series Crazy Ex-girlfriend where the cast regularly burst into song.

But Crazy Ex-girlfriend songs were satirical and very amusing, and fitted in with Rachel's (I think she was Rachel) character of being so extreme and compulsive and impulsive. Weren't we were seeing her fevered imagination at work? Plus they never allowed them to take over, they always complemented the whole storyline.

SummerDaysOnTheWay · 12/05/2025 03:04

Hate them too 👍

YourOnMute · 12/05/2025 02:43

I dislike them too.. unfortunately my children love them (how this happened I am still unsure) and they are still young enough that I have to accompany them to watch them. And watch them perform.
I also really dislike concerts.

YoungSoak · 12/05/2025 02:21

I hate musicals too. The way the cast burst into song out of nowhere seems forced a lot of the time. I really enjoyed Hamilton thought and I think it’s because the entire thing is sung/ rapped from start to finish. Either commit to the singing or fuck off basically

NeverEndingSnorey · 12/05/2025 01:58

HoppingPavlova · 12/05/2025 01:57

You are not alone. Can’t stand them, they set my teeth on edge. However, I love the theatre, go often, just not musicals.

I think my strong dislike started as a child when I had to watch shit like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers etc on tv where they broke into (bad) song every 5 minutes. While liking his music otherwise, I even hated the Elvis movies as they were basically a very thin plot padded out with generic so so songs. There there was no choice in family viewing back in the day 😞.

My dislike also started with seven brides for seven brothers. Stupid plot, horrible singing.

HoppingPavlova · 12/05/2025 01:57

You are not alone. Can’t stand them, they set my teeth on edge. However, I love the theatre, go often, just not musicals.

I think my strong dislike started as a child when I had to watch shit like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers etc on tv where they broke into (bad) song every 5 minutes. While liking his music otherwise, I even hated the Elvis movies as they were basically a very thin plot padded out with generic so so songs. There there was no choice in family viewing back in the day 😞.

Mummadeze · 12/05/2025 01:40

I used to hate them as a young adult. Just found them weird and boring. Now I love them, I don’t know what has changed but I go as often as I can. I think I stopped being so cynical and suspended my belief. Or maybe they have improved in the last 30 years!

NeverEndingSnorey · 12/05/2025 01:37

i hate them too. I cannot stand the singing in most of them. Some are, as you say, better than others.
Majority though are absolutely shite

SALaw · 12/05/2025 01:34

MoistVonL · 11/05/2025 22:57

The real question is how do you feel about Singin’ In The Rain, @Ittakeslonger ?

If you love that movie I think you are fine.

If you like that but not many currently staged musicals, YANBU because it’s just a matter of taste.

If you dislike that movie you have a withered black heart and I’m not sure what could save you.

Why is the film called “Singing in the Rain” though? I feel that song jars in the whole storyline and then the name the film after it?!

SALaw · 12/05/2025 01:31

I love musicals but I don’t expect everyone else to. Not everyone loves sport, but some love it with a passion, not everyone loves concerts but others do. Why would anyone assume that because they like something, everyone does? Surely empirical evidence around them (family, colleagues etc) shows that this isn’t the case?

HelpNeededBeforeIHaveABreakdown · 12/05/2025 00:04

You might like this… comedy sketch very much taking the piss out of musicals!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/4QqiQmgrpFU?si=xrhfTz9lXtaPQ8Mo

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 23:43

CrystalSingerFan · 11/05/2025 23:04

Musical. And, as nobody's explained why links are bad form, here's a link to (sadly) the brilliant film version finale: A

Gotta love Renee Zellweger.

Show quote history

Much prefer Renee in Bridget Jones!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 23:42

CatherineofIslington · 11/05/2025 22:56

How many musicals have you seen OP?

Have you seen Operation Mince Meat? It’s fantastic.

Oh not sure . Loads . Maybe over 30 on stage. Many more on film.
Not seen operation mincemeat though. Interesting subject for a musical

OP posts:
DoBeGoodDontBeBad · 11/05/2025 23:13

I find musicals really, really dull. When a song starts I just feel an impending sense of doom until it ends and the acting starts again. I can't tell what they are saying and I don't know why they have to sing it.

The only one I have ever enjoyed is Little Shop of Horrors. Still love it now.

CrystalSingerFan · 11/05/2025 23:04

Fordian · 11/05/2025 22:51

I’m on a roll, here! Is Chicago considered ‘a musical’? Or an operetta? I love it.

Musical. And, as nobody's explained why links are bad form, here's a link to (sadly) the brilliant film version finale: A

Gotta love Renee Zellweger.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLz_kQKl1-OMCs4LvdMBT4JXTi_xnNr5SA&v=luef1H24hU8

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 23:03

Phew! I do like that film!

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 11/05/2025 23:02

They're mostly shit with awful songs but there are a few exceptions. West Side Story, Sound of Music (mostly for the story tbh) and Grease. But I'd never want to see a live performance of any of them.

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 23:02

Tiredalwaystired · 11/05/2025 21:53

I’d have thought by 62 you’d have worked out that we dont all like the same things. 🤷‍♀️

Probably not but I have learnt that when you post something there's always at least one person who likes to be disparaging.

OP posts:
MoistVonL · 11/05/2025 22:57

The real question is how do you feel about Singin’ In The Rain, @Ittakeslonger ?

If you love that movie I think you are fine.

If you like that but not many currently staged musicals, YANBU because it’s just a matter of taste.

If you dislike that movie you have a withered black heart and I’m not sure what could save you.

CatherineofIslington · 11/05/2025 22:56

How many musicals have you seen OP?

Have you seen Operation Mince Meat? It’s fantastic.

ImaginedCorners · 11/05/2025 22:53

Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 20:37

Lol It never occurred to me I simply have a high performance of friends who like musicals! Plays seem better as I can get into the plot.

But plays are equally unsuited to someone who only goes ‘to be sociable’. You’re just sitting in the dark watching people sing/dance/speak onstage. You’re just as well off going by yourself if you’re a musical/theatre fan. Unless you go out for dinner or for a drink afterwards to discuss there’s not much point going to theatre of any kind with friends. Why not see your friends to do something you all enjoy?

Fordian · 11/05/2025 22:51

I’m on a roll, here! Is Chicago considered ‘a musical’? Or an operetta? I love it.

Fordian · 11/05/2025 22:49

Movie of Mamma Mia? If I could have dug a hole in which to climb…. How embarrassing! BUT I am aware many people love them, best of luck 😬