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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:
Itis6oclocksomewhere · 18/12/2017 19:47

We're going to see Matilda on Wednesday!
Looking forward to it and interesting to read what others thought of it.

ArcheryAnnie · 18/12/2017 20:04

I loved it, and I'm someone who thinks Tim Minchin is overrated. (He seems a nice man! Just his work is overrated.)

Raaaaaah · 18/12/2017 20:04

We all loved it. My daughter adores the song especially When I grow up and A little bit naughty.

Lovejoyfull · 18/12/2017 20:11

I thought it was just me. It is a good show but the songs left no impression on me. I love the book and would recommend watching the film with Danny DeVito over the musical.

StuffAndNonsenseYes · 18/12/2017 20:14

I saw it 4 times in the West End when I lived in London (£5 tickets for young people), and I'm desperately hoping the new tour dates bring it near where I live now even though DS is way too young for it.

It's possibly my favourite thing ever.

But I suppose YANBU to have an opinion.

GrandDesespoir · 18/12/2017 20:24

I liked the staging/choreography and thought the acting was very good. However apart from 'Quiet' and 'When I Grow Up' I thought the songs were a bit generic.

peachgreen · 18/12/2017 20:37

I see quite a lot of musicals and didn't love Matilda but I did think it was incredibly clever - Tim Minchin's lyrics are fantastic but better on CD than in the theatre I think as they need to be really crisp and clear to be appreciated. The School Song is a work of genius and When I Grow Up is a real tear-jerker.

catrin · 18/12/2017 20:57

9 yr old dd and I loathed it. So boring! We fought about leaving at the interval. Second only to the lion king.
But we are in a minority with both and loads of people love it!

IncyWincyGrownUp · 18/12/2017 21:00

I saw it with ourbyear six classes. They were mesmerised. My son adored it, and I really enjoyed it too.

I’m taking him to see it again at some point.

Nottheduchessofcambridge · 18/12/2017 21:01

No catchy songs? What about “when I grow up”? I loved it, my DD9 loved it.

SuperPug · 18/12/2017 21:04

Bit slow to start but then loved it.
Totally agree re: Aladdin.

AlexanderHamilton · 18/12/2017 21:04

We are revolting children living in revolting times
We sing revolting songs u-sing revolting rhymes

And School Song is so clever.

ArcheryAnnie · 19/12/2017 00:24

My mummy says I'm a miracle is the one song I remember. All about PFBs!

LadyHonoriaDedlock · 19/12/2017 00:29

OK... not rtft but do you actually like musicals? I'm a performing arts teacher of 20 Yrs and Matilda is up there with Les Mis for me

jenthehen · 19/12/2017 00:31

I've never been to a London musical and was thinking Matilda would be s good one for me and my 14 year old daughter to see but this thread has put me off. She's quite a Tom boyish, sporty grown up 14, what would you suggest?

TheClaws · 19/12/2017 01:45

I found it depressing for the most part. I love musicals, and could appreciate the staging, but I feel that perhaps it isn’t the best material for a stage show. Sometimes books are like that; they don’t translate quite as well.

happymummy12345 · 19/12/2017 02:02

I loved it. It was brilliant

peachgreen · 19/12/2017 06:36

@jenthehen If you can get tickets, Hamilton. Matilda might be a bit young for a 14 year old I think.

CaurnieBred · 19/12/2017 08:19

@jenthehen you could try Everyone is talking about Jamie (not seen it myself but supposed to be the "new Billy Elliot"), School of Rock or Kinky Boots. Hamilton tickets are like gold dust.

jenthehen · 19/12/2017 09:10

Thanks CaurnieBred and Peach, all sound good.

threestars · 19/12/2017 09:15

We enjoyed the performance. The singing and choreography was superb.

We didn’t enjoy having the tallest family known to mankind sitting in front of us, or the huge group of bored French teenagers slurping slushies behind us, especially since the tickets were so expensive...

Wigeon · 19/12/2017 10:43

I can’t believe some people found Matilda boring, not catchy tunes! Bruce, the alphabet song, when I grow up, my mummy says I’m a miracle, revolting children - all works of genius and very catchy.

Think whether a 14 year old would like it depends on the 14 year old. If she appreciates extremely slick staging, choreography, genius lyrics, good music, spot on acting etc, then I don’t think it matters that it’s about a little girl.

ItsBeginingToLookAlotLikeChris · 19/12/2017 11:11

Oh phew I alai brought tickets for dd and after first few days comments wondered if it was going ti be so great. Looking forward to it again now but only read to page two.

ItsBeginingToLookAlotLikeChris · 19/12/2017 11:12

Don't let this thread put you off, it's won awards its been a smash and as pp on this thread have said they have seen it numerous times

NataliaOsipova · 19/12/2017 11:15

@jenthehen For a 14 year old? I'd say ditch the musicals (unless that's really your thing). The Play that Goes Wrong is a bit more grown up and genuinely laugh out loud funny. And you'll get better seats for half the price.