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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Goatymum · 24/12/2023 09:09

Inthebitterend · 24/12/2023 01:16

I wasn't a big fan of Wicked. Defying Gravity is a great song but the rest is quite meh to me. I found it hard to understand what Glinda was even singing when I first saw it. It made more sense when I listened to the official soundtrack but I was still not fussed about it. I'm glad I got to see it for free.

My faves are Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Les Mis and Cabaret. I saw Cabaret recently in London and it was spectacular. Like, heart stoppingly wonderful. I 100% recommend it if you can go. I won the TodayTix lottery and only paid £25 for a £300 seat!!

Totally concur re Cabaret- absolutely outstanding production! I saw it summer 2022.

TheClitterati · 24/12/2023 09:09

I feel this way about Les Mis.

Isawitcoming · 24/12/2023 09:16

Saw Wicked with DC in Manchester years ago and we were not impressed. DC then saw it again in Broadway on a school trip and loved it. I think a lot depends on the cast, where your seats are etc

Goatymum · 24/12/2023 09:18

Forgot to say Everybody’s Talking About Jamie also loved - not as keen on Dear Evan Hansen (saw it on Broadway for DD’s 16th when in nyc).preferred Be more Chill which we saw off-Broadway. Loved Matilda too! Great songs and set.

Menier · 24/12/2023 09:18

Yes, agree, went a few years ago with my DD and DH, we all found it disappointing.

Original poster
imsofancy · 24/12/2023 09:19

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!

I hated it BUT I can appreciate people enjoy different things.

I hope your daughter has a wonderful time. Merry Christmas

OP posts:
Grimpo · 24/12/2023 09:19

YANBU. We found it pretty tedious.

whereimfrom · 24/12/2023 09:20

clare8allthepies · 23/12/2023 23:45

When I saw it I absolutely loved it. All of the main actors were good but the one playing Elphaba had a phenomenal voice. It was over 6 years ago so it’s probably a completely different cast but I would be surprised if the show was massively different.

Yes this is when I went and the cast were brilliant.

I loved it

Tinytigertail · 24/12/2023 09:24

Kazzyhoward · 24/12/2023 09:05

YABU. Wicked is awful but Cats is definitely the worst musical ever.

Hard agree. Cats is the only theatre production I've ever walked out on.

Newyearnamechangehere · 24/12/2023 09:27

Grease the musical predates the film, it hasn't been changed. I prefer it, Rizzo's song makes more sense.

Hate Wicked, kids love it. I think maybe it appeals to teenage/young adult starting to make sense of injustice like racism etc so having a simple straightforward visualisation of it is their thing.

Hated Choir of Man, it was so stressful with photos and filming being allowed. Couple in front spent the whole show filming their mate/partner and I could only see their screens or the glow at times. Didn't realise the 'rules' are different for it - you can film and sing along. Never again!

Vespanest · 24/12/2023 09:27

There should be no screeching in wicked, and there is some lovely songs, for good and thank goodness (couldn’t be happier), the second one when done right gives the understanding to Glinda

Wicked - I Couldn't Be Happier perfomed by Cynthia Erivo on PBS

This video has me captivated and has become another favorite song. Cynthia's voice is angelic being accompanied by soothing violins. This is wonderful.

https://youtu.be/cY6b_Qdg7Eo?si=j5HgJzj4uoZ9rvR4

Brird · 24/12/2023 09:27

I saw Wicked a few months ago and really didn't enjoy it, even though I like musicals. The venue in Victoria is massive, and was very cold. It's more like a cinema with all the food and merchandise points scattered around. It was half-empty with no atmosphere. The songs were forgettable. The two female leads had great voices, the male lead though, really did not.

I considered leaving at the interval but thought I'd see it through as I was there. Shouldn't have bothered!

eastsheener · 24/12/2023 09:28

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 .

It is back next year at Wembley theatre

Princesspollyyy · 24/12/2023 09:29

I took my daughter to see it a couple of years ago and we hated it. Hugely disappointing. We actually left in the interval as couldn't sit there any longer. YANBU

Isometimeswonder · 24/12/2023 09:30

TheChosenTwo · 23/12/2023 23:36

Mind you I saw moulin rouge recently and that was terrible too, but I’d gone with a friend who was quite enjoying it so we stayed. I thought it was shit.

Really?! I thought it was amazing! The set, the choreography, the singing... just fantastic!

AllTheYoungGoodyTwoShoes · 24/12/2023 09:32

I have seen a lot of musicals in different places over the years. My favourite was Les Miserables, have seen it 3 times and has been fabulous each time.

Recently saw 42nd Street in Glasgow, it was fantastic, the lead, think her name is Nicole- Louise or something, was amazing. The cast were all brilliant, Faye Tozer was especially great.

I saw Oliver in the 90s with Barry Humphries as Fagan, I remember he was brilliant in it.

Westfacing · 24/12/2023 09:32

YANBU!

Over the past 15 years or so I've taken my grandchildren to so many shows and musicals from Phantom, Grease, King & I, etc., to Hamilton, and without doubt Wicked was awful in comparison to all the others.

TheChosenTwo · 24/12/2023 09:32

Isometimeswonder · 24/12/2023 09:30

Really?! I thought it was amazing! The set, the choreography, the singing... just fantastic!

Show quote history

I loved the film so much and the show was so disappointing!

TheChosenTwo · 24/12/2023 09:33

TheChosenTwo · 24/12/2023 09:32

I loved the film so much and the show was so disappointing!

Show quote history

Sorry to keep quoting!
I distinctly remember leaving and feeling like I’d spent the last 2 hours watching pissed up karaoke 😂

Bellyblueboy · 24/12/2023 09:35

I loved it!

I suppose entertainment is a very personal thing. I am going again next year and taking my 10 year old niece because she will love love love it.

and yes it’s bloody expensive

jojom10 · 24/12/2023 09:40

I absolutely hated Wicked. So glad to have found people who agree with me.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 24/12/2023 09:41

I got given tickets by friends who couldn’t go due to illness and went with a friend who’s really into the Wizard of Oz, this was about 10 years ago and the singers were good. The storyline though was really weak and we both said afterwards it’s obviously to capitalise on Wizard of Oz. We also said it was hyped and the secrecy around it made it seem it was good. I’m still surprised it’s still on and I suppose some people must like it.

WorseWorst · 24/12/2023 09:41

It was such a let-down.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 24/12/2023 09:43

AllTheYoungGoodyTwoShoes · 24/12/2023 09:32

I have seen a lot of musicals in different places over the years. My favourite was Les Miserables, have seen it 3 times and has been fabulous each time.

Recently saw 42nd Street in Glasgow, it was fantastic, the lead, think her name is Nicole- Louise or something, was amazing. The cast were all brilliant, Faye Tozer was especially great.

I saw Oliver in the 90s with Barry Humphries as Fagan, I remember he was brilliant in it.

Have to agree seen Les Mis 3 times too and now that’s a show! Amazing.

Westfacing · 24/12/2023 09:43

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!

My granddaughter was around 8 when we went - she loved it!