Is it just me - Musicals?

[Kazzyhoward]

Am I the only one who just doesn't "get" musicals? I like to go to the theatre for plays, I like to go to pop/music concerts. But I'd rather eat my own vomit than go to watch a musical. I have a few friends/family that love them and always pestering me to go, but I absolutely hate them.

I just don't "get" it when actors who suddenly burst into song or leap into dance every few minutes. The last I went to, that probably finished me off, was Cats - yes, I don't deny the fantastic scenery, costumes, etc., but it was really repetitive, no obvious story, just loads of people dressed up pretending to be cats. Once I'd seen the costumes/scenery, I was bored rigid.

I love Porgy and Bess, Oliver, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, The Producers, to name a few and Sondheim is brilliant.
I can understand why people don't like those with no substance but there are good musicals.
My dh hates musicals but likes The Producers.

I remember accidentally stumbling across moulin rouge when channel hopping - it was wonderful

Snap gilly except Sondheim stuff , the West Side Story Lyrics are his best IMO!

Devilish The fake Nicole Kidman annoyed me in MR! Actually all of it!

So, I've just googled the info on Chess. It's on at the London Coliseum, and the only tickets I'd be able to afford are right at the back of the balcony. London theatre peeps, can you see/hear OK from there, and what are the seats like in terms of comfort? I'd love to see Chess again, but I can't justify £100 or more to be in better seats, and if I'm not going to be able to see/hear, there doesn't seem much point in going. Glad to see some Chess love on here, though. It really is a most brilliant musical.

Thanks mornington Yes I agree, I only know the hits from it! I would love to see it. Elaine Paige said on her show there were problems with the story early on. I'll google !

YAdefinitelyBU.

They are ace.

I am not an expert on the Coliseum but I would be wary of the seats you describe morningtoncresent. It is a venue that is normally devoted to opera so I would expect the cheaper seats to put sound over vision. That being said, I love the songs of Chess and wouldn't expect much of a spectacle so those seats might me fine.

I lurrrrve them!

Thanks, Loonoonow. If that's the case, I can't really justify the expense of a trip to London plus 'cheap' tickets. I know the music very, very well (as in I could sing along to the entire show without lyrics) so the point of seeing different productions for me is the staging and the characterisation. And the last touring production I saw was quite honestly so amazing that it would take some beating.