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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think you don't have to be "cultured" to enjoy a West End Show

26 replies

Geminijust · 05/12/2022 14:28

Relatives coming over from Australia soon. The adults emigrated as kids, they now have teenage children who have never been to the UK.

They are spending 4 nights of their trip staying in Central London, in the heart of theatreland. I came across an offer for cheap theatre tickets so sent to them in case it was useful. They replied "no thanks - too cultural for us!" and went on to say they would be busy every evening looking at Christmas lights.

Obviously, each to their own, but I feel a bit sad they'll be missing out on some great shows, many of which I definitely wouldn't describe as "cultural", especially as it looks like a great deal.

Oh well.....

OP posts:

sashagabadon · 05/12/2022 14:31

most of the shows I would say are popular culture not high brow if that is what they mean? Frozen, Matilda, back to the future, lion king, Tina turner etc. They could do nutcracker at ENO if they want a bit of Christmassy culture. Just leave them to it, central london looks amazing right now, there is tonnes to do

PingPongMerrilyWithPie · 05/12/2022 14:36

Take them at their word and don't judge. Especially relatives visiting, they could be scraping the money together for flights, accommodation and food and looking to do free activities while they are here. Of which there are many in London.

I'm not saying it's definitely that, I'm just saying it may be a white lie for whatever reason. Don't take it so literally.

Hoppinggreen · 05/12/2022 14:38

No idea what “too cultural” means bit if they don’t fancy it that’s fair enough.

TellMeWhere · 05/12/2022 14:39

I mean, La Boheme might be too cultural. The Lion King, not so much.

Maybe they have no interest in the theatre. Some people don't. I remember two colleagues of mine walking out of a theatre performance our work took us to one christmas. Couldn't believe how rude they were.

Stressedmum2017 · 05/12/2022 14:39

They are probably just trying to phrase it nicely rather than what they actually think (boring, I should imagine).

luxxlisbon · 05/12/2022 14:39

No need to be sad! It sounds like they just don’t want to do it and have other things they want to see and do on their trip.
Everyone has different interests, if they aren’t interested then they aren’t ‘missing out’ on anything.

DuchessOfSausage · 05/12/2022 14:40

Maybe they meant it was too 'uk culture' for them, i.e. not of appeal to aussies

RedWingBoots · 05/12/2022 14:41

As PP said it is likely a polite way of saying it costs too much.

FourTeaFallOut · 05/12/2022 14:43

They just don't want to do it. I wouldn't get too involved with how they phrased it.

susan12345678 · 05/12/2022 14:43

Maybe they meant it was too 'uk culture' for them, i.e. not of appeal to aussies

They have the same shows in Australia! Hugh Jackman’s career began in musical theatre.

I think by ‘too cultural’ they are probably just trying to decline politely

EvilRingahBitch · 05/12/2022 14:45

I suspect they just don't enjoy sitting in a theatre for three hours - some people hate it - and have decided that a self-deprecating stereotype is more polite than saying "actually I'd rather stick pins in my eyes".

Herroyal · 05/12/2022 14:46

If it's not their thing it's not their thing!

Stompythedinosaur · 05/12/2022 14:47

Of course west end shows aren't particularly high brow. My guess is they are trying to find a polite way of saying they don't enjoy the theatre.

Brieeeeeeeee · 05/12/2022 14:48

It’s probably not their thing for a big anticipated trip to London - or not to their taste.

TrentCrimm · 05/12/2022 14:51

I agree you don't have to be 'cultured', but it just sounds like a polite way of saying it's not their thing. Don't feel 'sad' for them, I'm sure they'll have a great trip, but just doing what they really want to do

Hbh17 · 05/12/2022 14:56

Good grief, no. There is a lot of variety in the West End, which is great, but some shows are very much "dumbed down" and the opposite of "cultured". But it's their loss!

Original poster

Geminijust · 05/12/2022 14:56

Thanks, you're probably right, guess it's not their thing. If I went to New York for example a Broadway show would be high on my list, especially if cheap tickets were on offer. 4 nights of Christmas lights would be lower down but live and let live!

OP posts:

SleeplessInEngland · 05/12/2022 14:59

Obviously you'd have to be pretty low-brow to find even half the stuff on the West End too cultured, but it's their trip so up to them I guess. Looking at lights every night sounds dull as hell but each their own.

luxxlisbon · 05/12/2022 15:07

Geminijust · 05/12/2022 14:56

But that’s you.

Lots if the shows aren’t exclusive to the west end, they can see them in AUS if they wanted to. They can’t enjoy a frosty night looking at the London Christmas lights when they are back in Australia though.

Alvinne · 05/12/2022 15:08

Maybe they were just being polite and aren't interested. I've been to New York a few times, and London hundreds of times but never had any interest in West End/Broadway shows as it's just not my sort of thing. Try not to take it personally

TrentCrimm · 05/12/2022 15:09

Geminijust · 05/12/2022 14:56

It was a polite, well natured decline- there probably won't actually be four nights of looking at lights, just a mix of other stuff that they actually want to do above going to the theatre.

Lcb123 · 05/12/2022 15:23

I think that's a polite decline, and fair enough, a lot of people just aren't interested in musicals. I don't think you need to be 'cultured' to enjoy a west end show. Most West end shows will be on in Australia at some point, so makes sense they prioritise doing 'London' things whilst here.

kingtamponthefurred · 05/12/2022 15:24

It's up to them what they do with their holiday, but I feel sorry for the kids growing up in a home where 'culture' is a disparaging term.

DuchessOfSausage · 05/12/2022 15:40

Huge Actman was brilliant in Oklahoma!

Fairyliz · 05/12/2022 15:44

Not quite the point of the thread but could you post the link for cheap tickets? 😁

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