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AIBU?

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Original poster

Wicked is the worst musical theatre EVER

296 replies

imsofancy · 23/12/2023 23:30

Just returned for taking my 13 and 15 year olds to see Wicked at the Apollo in London.

OMG this is the worst show I have ever seen!

The storyline is weak, the singing is screechy and the songs forgettable. Kids hated it too.

We had great seats which cost me +£300, but sooo wish we had left during the interval. I didn't because I think it is rude to the actors but you couldn't pay me to sit through this again.

We go to the theatre a lot and have seen many musicals and straight drama productions. But I wouldn't recommend this show to my worst enemy.

AIBU Wicked the musical is an abomination?

OP posts:
hattie43 · 24/12/2023 06:28

The only show I ever walked out of was cats years ago , but then so did the row in front of us and various others . It was dire.

PurplePim · 24/12/2023 06:37

Tell me you haven't seen We Will Rock You without telling me you haven't seen We Will Rock You 😆

Honestly there are so many bad musicals out there. They would be a mildly entertaining night out regardless, if they weren't so eye-wateringly expensive. The ol' Lloyd Webber formulaic approach to musicals seems particularly dated and tedious nowadays too, which doesn't help, but they seem to carry on regardless.

theleafandnotthetree · 24/12/2023 06:38

All this thread has done is confirm for me how deeply uninterested I am in musical theatre. They ALL sound awful and the cost is also just eye-watering.

sep135 · 24/12/2023 06:50

I love Les Mis (probably seen it six times over the years), Miss Saigon, Aladdin (in the US with the original genie who I think came to the U.K. one) and The Lion King. Had low expectations of School of Rock but enjoyed it.

Walked out halfway through Saturday Night Fever. This will be unpopular but we took the kids to see Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for a Christmas treat and were bored stiff.

As PPs have said, you're paying £400-500 for two hours' entertainment and you realise it wasn't worth it. We went to see Wonka instead this week which was £40 for all of us in the Selfridges cinema and, whether you think it's epic or just watchable, you don't feel the same regret of spending a lot of money on it.

Seadreamers · 24/12/2023 06:59

I saw it about 15 years ago and it was absolute rubbish back then. I was with a group of friends so I didn’t walk out but I should have.

I did walk out at the interval at the Lord Of The Rings musical in the West End. That was diabolical, and I’m a big LOTR fan, but no way could I tolerate sitting through the second half.

dayswithaY · 24/12/2023 07:22

I loved Wicked, but this is probably the first place I have come across people with a bad word to say about Hamilton which we hated.

It was awful, still don’t really understand the plot as it was all shouty singing. People around me were clapping and whooping like they were in a cult. Standing ovation that went on forever. We would have left at the interval (or maybe there wasn’t one? Can’t remember) but I kept thinking it would get better,

Horses for courses.

Twentypastfour · 24/12/2023 07:24

DH and I went to see this with friends years ago. DH and I came out shocked at how terrible it was and the other couple was raving about it and have been back several times for a re-watch! The four of us have always found it funny since how we all experienced it so differently.

ItsNotOkItsNotTheEnd · 24/12/2023 07:34

YABU. Bat out of hell is the worst musical by far.

Twynklebell · 24/12/2023 07:48

I grew up on musicals - I love them. I hated Wicked with a passion - left halfway through as I thought it was awful. The only saving grace were the sets and costumes.

None of the songs were memorable and the acting on the night we were there was terrible. Never again!

Vegetus · 24/12/2023 07:50

All musicals are shit with the exception of the book or Mormon.

ClaireEclair · 24/12/2023 08:06

Cats is awful. The people in front of us left at the interval. Hated Grease, Back to the Future too. And I know it’s not a musical but the Harry Potter play, The Cursed Child is one of the worst things I’ve watched. I hated it!! And you have to go twice!

QuizzlyBears · 24/12/2023 08:08

I like bits of Wicked but do find myself skipping those tracks if they come on. I love Les Mis, The Colour Purple, and In The Heights. Phantom and JCSS will also always be favourites for me! Standout for me though is Hadestown which I saw a few years ago and loved it so much, I still think about it often - really incredible.

I really dislike jukebox musicals like &Juliet and the new Moulin Rouge.

Bananas2 · 24/12/2023 08:13

I think theatre is different for everyone. For me Wicked is amazing and definitely in my top 5 but I really disliked Phantom of the Opera which everyone loves. My all time favourite is Les Mis which I've seen at least 4 times but my dad absolutely hated it (which I think is crazy haha)

Wolfpa · 24/12/2023 08:13

I think it’s very much down to personal preference. I saw Les Mis once and thought it was awful but if I say that to anyone who goes to musicals often it is like I have punched them in the face from their reactions

Wherly · 24/12/2023 08:15

I found the book borderline unreadable. I assumed it was popular because the musical was better.

Maybe not.

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 24/12/2023 08:16

Absolutely agree OP it’s rubbish. Never understood people who rave about it!

Ohforfox · 24/12/2023 08:16

Oh no! I have bought DD tickets for part of her xmas! Maybe we will love it, she does love theatre shows so hopefully it will be okay!

MumUndone · 24/12/2023 08:18

I thought it was rubbish too. Better than Cats though.

MumUndone · 24/12/2023 08:20

Absolutely adore Les Mis.

But best show of all time (they ought to bring it back) - Starlight Express!!

liverpoolgal82 · 24/12/2023 08:21

Same! I found it so boring. The kids loved it and thought I was v unreasonable. I love musicals, have seen most of them over my many years but Wicked I would have left mid way if I wasn’t with the children. Also wouldn’t sit through it again if I was paid to do so.

liverpoolgal82 · 24/12/2023 08:22

Oh yes- Starlight Express, I’d love to take my now teens to that. Definitely it should come back .

Hobbesmanc · 24/12/2023 08:26

We love Wicked and have been to see it several times. Musicals are our treat to ourselves and we are rarely disappointed in the West End. Cabaret last month was spectacular as was Moulin Rouge. Back to the future was amazing.

9 to 5. The Dolly Parton backed musical of the film was a proper dud and we only once left a show at half time and that was a dire version of Fame in Manchester.

bigbadbarry · 24/12/2023 08:28

ItsNotOkItsNotTheEnd · 24/12/2023 07:34

YABU. Bat out of hell is the worst musical by far.

100%. Absolutely dreadful

Pottedpalm · 24/12/2023 08:29

I saw Wicked on Broadway about 15 years ago and didn’t enjoy it much; rest of the family loved it.
i just don’t like the shouty style if singing these days, especially the kids. Matilda was an assault on the ears. I did enjoy one about Motown as the singing was wonderful.

bigbadbarry · 24/12/2023 08:29

I’m taking my teens this summer! It’s coming back

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