Wicked the Musical

[MirrorrorriM]

Went yesterday. Am I alone in thinking it's not all that? Ok, the performances and dancing were good (the two lead actresses had amazing voices) but the plot was weak and a lot of the songs were meh.

At the end though the audience all leapt to their feet like it was the most incredible thing they'd ever seen. It's got nothing in Matilda or The Lion King IMO and I didn't see a standing ovation at those. I guess it's personal taste but I think I must really be missing something here. Both my DC agreed with me though.

And don't get me started on the constant chat / noise / fidgeting / noisy eating and drinking in the audience (adults as well as kids). I know it's a kids show but I've been to pantomimes with quieter audiences.

I agree OP! Didn't rate it at all. No stand out songs, and the storyline was rubbish too. Very talented cast though.

Oh dear. I’m going to see it in a few weeks and have been listening to the soundtrack, and loving the songs, I’m really looking forward to it.

I saw Matilda a few years ago and although I enjoyed it, I didn’t think it lived up to the hype. I hope I’m not disappointed with Wicked but I’m already hooked on the songs so I’ll enjoy the music if nothing else ...

I loved it! I guess we all like different things.

I disagree op. The plot and lyrics are actually quite clever and link well to the Wizard of Oz, plus the more you get to know the songs the more catchy the lyrics are.
But that’s just my opinion... I guess we all like different things.

I didn't enjoy it much - thin story, songs I didn't click with - but my adult DDs loved it and are currently trying to organise a repeat visit.

I think it must be a 'marmite' thing - so I hope you're one of the ones who loves it, JuneFromBethesda!

I really didn’t enjoy it. Felt like I didn’t understand the plot (maybe I should’ve read it before I went) none of the songs engaged me but the set looked good.

I would happily have left at the interval but dd seemed to be enjoying it . That said there are very few musicals that I do like . I do think that the seats are very uncomfortable at the theatre it’s at as well which didn’t help .

Oh thank God! I thought it was me, and everyone else seems to love it and it's been so successful.

I think the concept is quite clever, but but the story could have been so much better and there are no stand out songs or dance routines at all. I expect to leave a musical humming, I doubt whether I'd recognise any of the songs now.

We went earlier this year and I felt exactly the same, it's not something I've felt comfortable voicing in polite company

I love wicked and want to go and see it again but was also disappointed by Matilda, I felt as if I was waiting for the wow moment that never came! @JuneFromBethesda

I really enjoyed it - and also found the songs clever and very hummable. And the story is simple but has a good message. I guess we all like different things - I'm not keen on Les Mis (although I know loads of people love it).
I love all the old musicals - Oklahoma, Seven Brides,West Side Story, Calamity Jane - maybe I have old fashioned taste

It's tough when you go to see something in London though and don't enjoy it because it's so expensive.

But if you live near there's I think there's a thing on the Martin Lewis website about getting very cheap tickets for London shows - you have to be prepared to take last minute offers though.

No good songs? Did you miss Defying Gravity, Popular, For Good?

I agree - I saw it several years ago after seeing / hearing lots of hype particularly from friends on Facebook. I was not super-impressed by it, it passed the time but I’ve definitely seen better shows.

I love Wicked and think it is very clever. It has themes that stay with you. I have seen it twice.

I took Dc a few years back it was a present i thought it was alright a bit manic in the middle I wasn't sure what was meant to be happening music is great and Defying gravity is amazing but yeah I was underwhelmed , Dc loved it though .

I also enjoyed it and generally hate musicals

It was probably about a decade ago that I went but I really disliked it. Found the colours were really ugly, rubbish plot and I can't remember a single song.

I do think it helps to know a musical a bit before going to see it. I'm not that into musicals overall but think some are fantastic. Also saw Matilda and struggled to enjoy it because couldn't hear the words - and I'm sure they're great cos tim Minchin is great.

Learnt my lesson and listened to the Hamilton soundtrack a few times before going to see it - now that's a great musical!

Thought it was three hours of my life that I won’t get back.....

Love wicked (and matilda). I actually found it quite moving, I liked the way you found out why the lion was cowardly, the tin man had no heart etc, I liked the way there were links between the songs and the different interpretations of how they can turn out (elsphaba's (positive/negative) image of the celebration all through oz just because of her.). I thought the staging was good and generally found it clever. However I haven't really seen a play/musical I haven't enjoyed on some level.

I liked it a more than either Matilda or the Lion King, different things for different people. I've never been a big fan of the Wizard of Oz but I like the way it ties together all the random strands and makes sense of it, I love the songs and the two lead characters are great, I'd definitely go again.

Going in August (Kids week) I always find the audiences noisy and lots of eating, chatting etc which is a pain though.

Matilda is touring and Dd asked if I want to see it but the thought of all those singing children fills me with dread

I wasn't blown away either, but I know loads of others who absolutely loved it. I think when it first came out the reviews were very positive.

I completely agree. I was so excited to see it, then massively underwhelmed.

I found the storyline very thin too. Not impressed.

Loved Matilda.

Book of Mormon is best I've seen. Bat out of Hell is dire, apart from the music.

Yeah, it’s not my favourite. I ‘get’ it, I just don’t really rate it. There are many better musicals out there!