Stage Musicals That You Found Unexpectedly Disappointing

[MarmaladeSandwich7]

For me it was The Bodyguard & I was really surprised as I love the soundtrack & Whitney.. It was ok but I thought it would blow me away & it didn’t. Maybe some things just work.better on the big screen.

Never seen The Lion King and I’m surprised to hear such negative reviews of it - such a shame because it looks like it would be amazing.

Paddington the musical will hopefully be amazing!!!

School of rock act 1 was so boring and bad.
Act 2 was great.

I just can’t understand the enduring love for Hamilton. Repetitive songs. Dreary set. Terrible cheating wretched dull man. It all went on far too long. Awful.

Don’t be put off; I thought it was incredible!

Hercules. Really lacked the heart and charm of the original movie and agree with the pp about it feeling oddly like a pantomime

Added my worst already, but favourites are:

come from away (original)
les mis (classic)
evita (Jamie Lloyd production only)
sunset blvd (ditto as evita)
wwry - cheesy but I’m a huge Queen fan

also like
starlight express - great staging at troubadour
lion king
calamity Jane
&juliet
book of mormon
avenue Q
oliver
cinderella
everybody’s talking about Jamie
cats
grease
saturday night fever
billy elliot
phantom

enjoyed but wouldn’t see again
shrek
aladdin
dear Evan Hanson
Strictly ballroom
jersey boys
blood brothers
wicked
The bodyguard
oh what a night
only fools and horses
mamma mia

did not enjoy
joseph
sweet charity
sound of music

Great list here. Not seen as many but my favourite is Les Miserables, followed by Phantom, Miss Saigon, and I absolutely loved Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Would probably see Cats and Joseph again, but wasn't too bothered about Starlight Express.

I didn't like Book of Mormon at all and left halfway through, but Grease and Buddy were great singalong ones.

I know that the others on your list are ones my mum would recommend too, as she seems to have seen them all lol 😆

Much preferred Billy Elliott the film to the musical

Forgot I saw Buddy with DM but can’t remember much about it! Obviously great music! I booked to see “ Only Fools” but broke my arm. Friends said it was great.

Return to the Forbidden Planet was incredible!

A Chorus Line! I loved the film, but DH and I were bored with the production in the West End! Never thought I’d say that about a musical!

Ooh you’ve reminded me of another couple I love - Miss Saigon and return to the forbidden planet!!!

Oh no, that’s rotten luck! Only fools was good but not amazing- they did do some little nods to some of their famous episodes though which was funny.

I'm seeing Miss Saigon in Edinburgh next month, can't wait.

I’m going to see it again early next year!! Hope you enjoy it!

The Devil Wears Prada and Cats.

Thanks, I'm pretty sure I will, I've wanted to see it for years.

Yeah I saw it again years later. We got tickets when it was going to be Whoopi and then covid happened. Definitely a lot better without the odd accent!

Just booked Mary Poppins later in the year. Will be dragging a teenage boy along too (my DS, not a random boy) Excited now!

I prefer the older ones too. My fave is 42nd Street. It's a real spectacle with all the tap dancing. It's just not something you see much anymore.

The problem with The Lion King is that it's Too Much Disney, Not Enough Africa.

Totally agree. Saw it twice, and wish it could have been more. I think the score of Guys and Dolls has to be in my all time Top 3, but this production beat any other hands down.

Six
Matilda
Lion King
Les Mis
Phantom

42nd Street makes me hold my breath, it's stunning. The songs are amazing, choreography just incredible.

South Pacifiic, High Society and Fiddler on the Roof I also love out of the older ones, I never get bored of watching them.

Jesus Christ Superstar is my all time favourite though.

If anyone has Matilda tickets and has been put off going, please send your tickets to me. I LOVED it, and would watch it again in a heartbeat.