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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Matilda the musical is a bit pants

147 replies

Singadream · 18/12/2017 13:34

I like the book. I like Tim Minchin. The actors were all doing their job v well. But it just didn't do it for me.Yet everyone seems to rave about how amazing it is. Not many catchy tunes. No huge musical numbers to make you gasp. The fear is too pantomime. The pay off not wonderful enough. Or is it just me?

OP posts:
Enidblyton1 · 18/12/2017 13:48

I couldn't disagree more - it's a work of complete genius.

ChocolateIsAFruit · 18/12/2017 13:48

My son loved it

lookingforthecorkscrew · 18/12/2017 13:49

I often listen to musical soundtracks with 3yo DS at home and in the car. Matilda he could not give less fucks about, Hamilton on the other hand... loves it! He also loves Sweeney Todd. 😂

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 18/12/2017 13:50

Well I loved it (and kinky boots actually Grin) but obviously it's not unreasonable to dislike it, just different tastes. I thought the songs were great, and the kids were so talented!

cardibach · 18/12/2017 13:52

I haven’t seen it but lots of people whose opinion I respect with regard to musicals have and love it. I’ve heard the songs -how can you not think them catchy? Massive gaspy musical numbers are a bit old fashioned now - musical theatre has moved on - but what I’ve seen of the kids dances on tv appearance es seem pretty captivating to me. What were you expecting, OP?

mydogisthebest · 18/12/2017 13:54

Me and DH both loved it and want to see it again

The80sweregreat · 18/12/2017 13:55

Not seen it, but I felt the same about Les Mis, everyone else adores this show and rave about it - i just felt a bit let down ( being up in the rafters didnt help i suppose and i found it hard to follow)

IHeartKingThistle · 18/12/2017 13:56

We all love it! Have seen it twice.

IHeartKingThistle · 18/12/2017 13:57

Also lucky enough to see Tim Minchin's musical of Groundhog Day when it was previewing. It was AWESOME.

newdocket · 18/12/2017 13:57

I thought it was brilliant (and I don't really like musicals, generally)

LardLizard · 18/12/2017 13:58

I also think it’s amazing
Perhaps it a the fact it’s mainly children
Makes it even more amazing

paperandpaint · 18/12/2017 14:01

I haven’t seen it but have seen the Revolting Children’ song performed many times and it genuinely makes me want to run out of the room screaming - I absolutely hate this song with a passion!

LemonScentedStickyBat · 18/12/2017 14:03

I thought Matilda was amazing in every way - however I can empathise with you - am usually a fan of the Marvel films and I was totally underwhelmed by the latest Thor that everyone is raving about!

caffelatte100 · 18/12/2017 14:03

Loved it, but we heard the CD before and that really helped us enjoy it. Also read the books as well.

senzaparole03 · 18/12/2017 14:05

Oh I thought i was superb!! Went 2 years ago with my sister and her 2 kids.

*Not many catchy tunes.
Ah no way. Alphabet song, BRUCE, when I grow up, they're all excellent! Reguarly have singalongs with my sister's kids to these.

No huge musical numbers to make you gasp.
Oh the alphabet song/school song was jaw-droppingly good!! The song, the choreography, I was hooked! We were all sitting forward, and I can still see the scene with the gate and the letters etc. Just fantastic.

One of the best musicals I have ever seen.

Wishingandwaiting · 18/12/2017 14:05

Saw it with Miranda Hart and absolutely loved every moment

LardLizard · 18/12/2017 14:08

Wishing are you talking about Annie !!?

Cutesbabasmummy · 18/12/2017 14:09

It was ok. I've seen better to be honest.

christinarossetti · 18/12/2017 14:15

I'm not a fan of musicals, but I've seen it twice (with children).

The sets were fabulous, acting great, the musical score total genius.

Never seen anything like it.

SkyIsTooHigh · 18/12/2017 14:18

A lot of the music is slightly unconventional - it seems to have a lot of sharp edges somehow. I think it's great, but better if you've heard the music a few times beforehand so you get used to the style.

Librarybooksandacoconut · 18/12/2017 14:20

YABU. I'm not a massive musical fan, but I was completely blown away by Matilda. When I grow up gets me every time as it perfectly captures the discord between what children think adulthood is like, and adults being nostalgic for their own childhood when life seemed much more black and white.

Nettleskeins · 18/12/2017 14:22

get the cd. The more you listen the more amazing it is. My children knew all the songs off by heart. It is quite quirky tho, and needs exceptionally good actors to carry it off. Year 6 version of it was not easy to understand!

BendydickCuminsnatch · 18/12/2017 14:24

:-O NO catchy tunes??? We're always singing it here (me and DH, eldest kid is only 2.5 years).

I think the alphabet song one is so clever. Love When I Grow Up, and Revolting Children is v catchy.

We've even bought the book of When I Grow Up for DS for christmas Grin Feel culturally void now haha

Nettleskeins · 18/12/2017 14:25

Don't Let Them Steal Your Horses..oh no..Neigh eigh eigh. Ds2 still sings it to perfection and with cut glass timing. And when dd sings the Quiet song I am always overwhelmed by how confusing life is for kids, not just the geniuses of this world.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 18/12/2017 14:25

IHeartJealous!! We also always sing songs from Groundhog Day. He's such a great lyricist, really clever. Would love to see Groundhog Day.