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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:
Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:57

Calliopespa · 11/05/2025 20:37

I think it depends.

Maybe play round with them. Some people like them tongue 👅 in cheek - like Gilbert and Sullivan. Others like heavier offerings like Les Mis. Personally I probably find the music and dancing an easier watch than theatre, though I actually like them all. How do you feel about opera? For me it’s the best of the lot.

Not really keen on opera either

OP posts:
Mymanyellow · 11/05/2025 21:56

I like seven brides for seven brothers, but the story line is a bit dodgy. Anything with Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire. Proper old school ones.

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:54

Butchyrestingface · 11/05/2025 20:39

So after starting a thread entitled "I hate musicals", by post 3 you are proceeding to enumerate the types of musicals you DO like.

Okay. 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

Lol very confusing
Someone asked me on thread if I preferred some more than others, and I thought it was worth considering. However, in conclusion even though some are less unbearable than others I'd rather not go!!

OP posts:
CrystalSingerFan · 11/05/2025 21:53

Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:48

Yes I agree the tunes in the older ones are better. The more recent ones do all sound so similar! Gilbert and S are quite cool x

Show quote history

G&S are indeed cool. Here's a link to a recent bit of wonderful English daftness.

PS Why are there so few links on Mumsnet on discussions like this? How can we discuss musicals/opera/operetta without examples? Style and Beauty seem to manage...

- 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?v=ejsyALvQxCc

Ponderingwindow · 11/05/2025 21:53

I love them, but lots of people hate them.

I have noticed anecdotally that people who love them tend to have internal narrators. Showtimes give us an easy way to silence the running dialogue in our brains when we need a break.

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. 🤷‍♀️

Fordian · 11/05/2025 21:53

I realised my hate of the ‘musical genre’ because of Elaine Paige (guttural chuckle) of a Sunday afternoon.

My DB and I were bringing our recently deceased mother’s house up to saleable standard over 6-7 months, 10 years ago. Scrubbing, scraping, painting etc. No wifi.

But a low point was EP of a Sunday afternoon. I hadn’t realised that my appreciation beyond Sound of Music goes no further. I particularly dislike the ‘stage-kid’ thing. That ’shouty’ confidence. (Guttral chuckle).

Nope. It’s a hard knock life.

GreenFressia · 11/05/2025 21:53

I just need to caveat this with there was one episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer where they all became uncontrollably possessed by the musical force - that was good. But just that.

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:52

DisabledDemon · 11/05/2025 21:51

Might I recommend that you listen to a track called A Musical from (sorry about this) a musical called Something Rotten. I've reproduced below some of the lyrics (hope that's allowed!) but as you don't like musicals, I think you might find it quite entertaining:

What the hell are musicals?
It appears to be a play where the dialogue stops
And the plot is conveyed through song.
Wait, so an actor is saying his lines and then
Out of nowhere, he just starts singing?

Well, that is the
Stupidest thing that I have ever heard
You're doing a play, got something to say
So you sing it? It's absurd!

Who on earth is goin' to sit there
While an actor breaks into song?
What possible thought could the audience think
Other than, "This is horribly wrong?"

That's so funny!!

OP posts:
DisabledDemon · 11/05/2025 21:51

Might I recommend that you listen to a track called A Musical from (sorry about this) a musical called Something Rotten. I've reproduced below some of the lyrics (hope that's allowed!) but as you don't like musicals, I think you might find it quite entertaining:

What the hell are musicals?
It appears to be a play where the dialogue stops
And the plot is conveyed through song.
Wait, so an actor is saying his lines and then
Out of nowhere, he just starts singing?

Well, that is the
Stupidest thing that I have ever heard
You're doing a play, got something to say
So you sing it? It's absurd!

Who on earth is goin' to sit there
While an actor breaks into song?
What possible thought could the audience think
Other than, "This is horribly wrong?"

GreenFressia · 11/05/2025 21:51

I'd rather stab myself in the arm with a biro than sit through a musical. Honestly I have an adverse reaction to them.

And I LOVE romance, I am a sucker for cheese. But musicals make me want to vomit.

Calliopespa · 11/05/2025 21:50

WildFlowerBees · 11/05/2025 21:36

Hate musicals, always the same type of melody and a similar type of warble voiced singer.

I tried to watch the Willy Wonker film that came out, I got as far as the first couple of minutes. Waste of a good film.

I loved that movie.

Perfectly whimsical: “noodle, noodle, apple strooodel…”

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:50

nottheplan · 11/05/2025 21:38

Oh I detest them too! Always have, we were made to watch the practice runs of the school musicals and the finished show too. So we watched the same thing about 5 times in the space of 3 months. God I hated it , others in my class would be delighted to get out of class..not me, I wished I could get back to my studies 🤣 We also were made to watch videos of real musicals too..I just found then extremely boring and annoying. I even hated sitting through Mama Mia

Edited

Oh that must have been so tough!!

OP posts:
Miley23 · 11/05/2025 21:49

I like some. Just been to see Muriels wedding twice within three weeks as was given free tickets and loved it. Also booked to see Joseph and Mama Mia.so

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:48

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 11/05/2025 21:45

YANBU. I like Oklahoma, My Fair Lady and West Side Story. That's about it. I particularly cannot stand recent musicals. The music is usually bland or actively awful. They don't seem to be able to write good tunes any more.

I love Gilbert and Sullivan, but that's operetta. Not really the same thing.

Yes I agree the tunes in the older ones are better. The more recent ones do all sound so similar! Gilbert and S are quite cool x

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 11/05/2025 21:47

I couldn’t stand Hamilton. It borrowed so heavily from Les Mis.Yes the rap/hip hop style was original but God it was tedious.

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:46

WildFlowerBees · 11/05/2025 21:36

Hate musicals, always the same type of melody and a similar type of warble voiced singer.

I tried to watch the Willy Wonker film that came out, I got as far as the first couple of minutes. Waste of a good film.

They are so similar!

OP posts:
WildFlowerBees · 11/05/2025 21:46

If I want to really irritate my dh who also can’t stand a musical, I start belting out in a very bad cockney accent ‘I’d do anyfin for you dear anyfiiiiiin’

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:45

Musclewoman · 11/05/2025 21:34

I have a visceral reaction to musicals...they make me cringe, you can't get in to the storyline without someone bursting in to song, I hate it! Just letting you know you're not alone in your hatred 😅

Thank you

OP posts:
SouthLondonMum22 · 11/05/2025 21:45

I don't generally like them but I do have 2 exceptions - The Greatest Showman & Hamilton.

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:45

Pomegranatecarnage · 11/05/2025 21:38

I hate them. The only one I’ve ever enjoyed was the Rocky Horror. I find them a huge cringe.

Actually it was cool

OP posts:
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 11/05/2025 21:45

YANBU. I like Oklahoma, My Fair Lady and West Side Story. That's about it. I particularly cannot stand recent musicals. The music is usually bland or actively awful. They don't seem to be able to write good tunes any more.

I love Gilbert and Sullivan, but that's operetta. Not really the same thing.

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:44

That's true. All the music sounds the same to me too!

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Mum2jenny · 11/05/2025 21:44

Not a fan of musicals either, but they are way better than opera imo.

Original poster
Ittakeslonger · 11/05/2025 21:43

Thank you! I know now I'm not alone!

OP posts: