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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not understand what kind of person hates musicals

474 replies

CrotchBurn · 31/12/2020 07:10

Love them. Love all musicals. I just don't understand how you can have people who like stories, and who like music, and they have this hatred of musicals.

There's also so many different types of musicals from Cabaret to Blood Brothers to Cats to Sound of Music, how could you dislike them ALL?

Is it about the singing preventing you from engaging with the story? Because it feels artificial? But surely all films and plays feel artificial? I just think there's no better way of getting huge amounts of info across quickly than in musicals. This scene from Les Mis for example, in one song you understand the conflict, both characters' motives and back stories.

Also isnt there a bit of snobbery here - theres no difference between opera and musicals except musicals are more fun.

OP posts:
NoraLuka · 31/12/2020 07:31

I don’t like musicals or opera. I also can’t stand Disney films where they suddenly stop what they’re doing to start singing. It spoils the flow of the story as if they’d just plonked an advert in the middle or something.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 31/12/2020 07:32

I dont hate musicals but I find the singing corny, OTT and hammy. Each song seems like extreme overacting and just a bit naff. this is how I feel.

I feel the same way I do about slapstick comedy. I just prefer something more subtle.

Cric · 31/12/2020 07:32

I really like musicals. BUT I watched cats the other day....WHAT????? The kids loved it and so have now watched it a couple of times with some weird fascination. I just don't really understand what the hell happened. Then when she goes off on the light fitting.... where?? Where is she going? Did Andrew Lloyd Webber take a load of drugs and then sit down and write a story? I will probably watch it again and try and work out some more of the story, I just feel like I have missed and important bit of information!

vampirethriller · 31/12/2020 07:33

I don't mind them as films but as live performances I find them excruciating.

blowinahoolie · 31/12/2020 07:34

DH hates them. I love them personally.

LadyPenelope68 · 31/12/2020 07:34

It’s called a difference of opinion Biscuit

HighHeelBoots · 31/12/2020 07:34

I hate musicals. Twee and cringy

jessstan1 · 31/12/2020 07:37

I don't like musicals. I like some of the songs from musicals but all that leaping about in unnatural situations makes me feel embarrassed. I enjoy opera but musical theatre is cringeworthy in my opinion and so shallow.

One exception is 'The Sound of Music', no gratuitous dancing around the street tossing things about - think that street sellers scene in 'Oliver' - yeuch. 'Oliver' is one I avoid on telly but I love the story of 'Oliver Twist, to which the musical bears little resemblance, especially the ending.

I dread to think what has been done with 'Les Miserables', another story I love.

Some years ago I went to see 'Evita', the film with Madonna. It was so rushed and superficial.

However, as I said, some of the songs are pretty good and I can listen to them happily as long as I don't have to watch the performances.

SaskiaRembrandt · 31/12/2020 07:38

I don't like musicals, I think they're corny and contrived. I hate the way they use song to communicate elements of the plot when a non-musical film or play would use acting.

One that sticks in my mind is Westside Story. What kind of credible gang struts, clicks fingers and bursts into song?

Yes, this. I saw a production of Westside Story once, and felt embarrassed for the performers.

I don't like ballet either.

jessstan1 · 31/12/2020 07:40

Attictroll: I find many of the songs weak but I’m a rock kid at heart
.......
Have you seen the Rocky Horror Show?

Original poster
CrotchBurn · 31/12/2020 07:40

@Attictroll

If you're a rock kid at heart you might really like Carl Anderson as Judas (1973)

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 31/12/2020 07:40

I don’t hate them as such, I’d not proactively go see many, I liked phantom of the opera for example. Many of them are a bit cringe and silly.

Brumplescruff · 31/12/2020 07:41

[quote CrotchBurn]@Attictroll

If you're a rock kid at heart you might really like Carl Anderson as Judas (1973)

[/quote] Do you usually try to push people into doing things they don’t like or don’t want to do?

This happens a lot to me when I say I don’t like musicals, musical theatre, opera - I’m interested why you feel the need to push people into doing something they don’t want to?

redfernsydney · 31/12/2020 07:42

I HATE most musicals......With the exception of Carmen jones and the rise and fall of little voice, seen both on film and on stage.
I have seen aspects of love and we will rock you...awful....just so bad...why?

Original poster
CrotchBurn · 31/12/2020 07:45

@Cric
For some reason I also really dont like Cats, not sure why. Obviously Memory is a great tune but... Its a musical and it's about cats so it feels like it ticks all my boxes but somehow theres something missing there! I like the big dramatic stories in musicals so Les Mis, jesus christ, miss Saigon, blood brothers, the more upbeat ones leave me a bit cold (starlight express, grease etc)

OP posts:
CaptainSandy · 31/12/2020 07:46

I hate them because they ruin my suspension of disbelief.

Original poster
CrotchBurn · 31/12/2020 07:47

@Brumplescruff
I think you are taking this thread massively to heart for some reason. Relax. Maybe with a good musical?

OP posts:
AuntieMarys · 31/12/2020 07:48

I love most musicals, especially Sondheim. I loathed Cats, Rent, and A Chorus Line.
Fave ones currently are In the Heights and Six

Original poster
CrotchBurn · 31/12/2020 07:48

@redfernsydney
Yes, we will rock you was so bad IMO. It was lazy!

OP posts:
Brumplescruff · 31/12/2020 07:51

[quote CrotchBurn]@Brumplescruff
I think you are taking this thread massively to heart for some reason. Relax. Maybe with a good musical?[/quote]
That’s really not funny.

I absolutely loathe them.

It’s a consent violation to push something onto people when it’s something they don’t want to do. It’s creeping and it triggers me.

It’s something my ex used to do. He over stepped all my boundaries and that’s what the “oh you’ll like this one or that one relax with a nice musical” does.

It doesn’t matter if it’s musicals or not likimg a food or whatever a boundary is.

It isn’t the right thing to do to push people’s boundaries and make fun of them when they have one.

Mycatismadeofstringcheese · 31/12/2020 08:04

Mostly I find them twee with a few exceptions. Hamilton is amazing. Book of Mormon was funny. I have a nostalgic love of the Sound of Music and Annie.

On the other hand I went to see Starlight Express just before it closed and that was fucking abysmal! If I hadn’t have been with my mum, I would have walked out. Can’t believe it lasted as long as it did.

CardoMondo · 31/12/2020 08:06

@Brumplescruff chill out 😂

OP I like Oliver! but a big part of that is that I love Victorian Britain and hearing kids with strong London accents.

I can’t stomach other musicals, too sickly sweet for me

Brighterthansunflowers · 31/12/2020 08:08

I actually like Musicals but voted YABU because shock horror people like different things

Brumplescruff · 31/12/2020 08:08

Please don’t laugh at me.

I’m really triggered by this it’s what my ex did and I’ve just been sick.

I don’t understand why people laugh at boundaries and don’t respect them.

This is horrible. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Oblomov20 · 31/12/2020 08:10

Not a fan. Not keen on panto either.