[Film] Wicked

[Weststander]

Ah, no no, just enjoyed the movie and hoped to discuss it, but so far only one person who has replied has actually seen the film - and they loved it. Someone said it was a Sleeping Beauty rip off then someone asked me who actually wants to see it, so I replied pointing out it is top of the box office and is going to double or triple Gladiator 2’s numbers in second place. Then they said it was Americans because the figure was in dollars, so again I corrected the record.

If someone actually has seen the film and has criticisms, then fair enough, but this is just typical sad people being annoyed that people are enjoying something they don’t like the idea of.

Completely ignore bitching from anyone who hasn’t seen it. A recipe for happiness.

Most males loath musicals, Wicked’s never going to win a popularity contest on nsc.

 

[Birdie Boy]

We didn’t like it all and we love the West End. At the time we put it down to poor seats a long way from the stage.

I think we are near the front, I hope so as they were £100 each!

 

[maffew]

Gonna be toss up between this and Moana 2 I think this weekend. Think the kids will plump for wicked due to Ariana Grande. Look forward to whichever one!!

 

[maffew]

Most males loath musicals

I don't think that's true!

 

[Simster]

Yep, happy wife=Happy life, i’ve had two wives so i’m nearly trained

Keep the missus happy and everybody's happy.

Definitely true!

 

[Weststander]

I didn’t have any interest in this at all but my wife and daughter asked if I fancied going with them on Monday night, so I did - just to not be grumpy.

Turns out the film was terrific. Really enjoyed it and looking forwards to part 2 and loved how much Ariana Grande hammed up her part to perfection.

I would say though, that I’ve never (ever) in over 45 years going to the cinema, seen so many people arrive so late.

Given there were 30 minutes of adverts beforehand, the people of Worthing must’ve had some serious issues before they left their houses that night.

Despite us going on a weekday early afternoon, we had a row of brats talking throughout the film in front of us with countless loo visits. Funny thing was, that died a death after 30 minutes …. I think they ended up being spellbound by the movie.

 

[Simster]

I don't think that's true!

I always think I do until I go to a good one. Wicked is good, as 3 or 4 of us on here who have actually seen it will attest. Chicago west end production, the Book of Mormon and one or two others are also musicals worth seeing.

 

[Birdie Boy]

Yep, happy wife=Happy life, i’ve had two wives so i’m nearly trained

1st and only wife of 34 years, so I've done something right!

 

[jcdenton08]

We didn’t like it all and we love the West End. At the time we put it down to poor seats a long way from the stage.

I really hate to shit on the above poster‘s plans, but last time I went it was just dire.

It started off amazing for a number of years - but it opened over 18 years ago now and it’s lost its way. Nowadays sadly the jokes don’t land, the cast are pretty poor, it’s just all very flat. The guy playing Fiyero is just dreadful, has been there over three years, and if anything has gotten even worse. The cast are bored, the effects are very dated compared to other, newer shows, and unforgivably the sound quality in the auditorium is just abysmal.

In theatre it’s common for the director to come in at least a few sessions with each new cast to give notes, tighten direction and tweak things to keep it fresh. But the original director hasn’t actually been to see the show in London in about 15 years, despite overseeing the Broadway production regularly and greenlighting their casting decisions. Here it’s all done by his associate, poorly.

Basically nowadays it’s a museum piece, one to say you’ve seen, but I think most people will be in for a nasty shock if they book to see the West End based on how brilliant the movie is.

I actually got a free ticket last time I went from a friend who works backstage and I left at the interval for an earlier train home.

BUT… I do watch things with a critical eye and compare to previous visits, I imagine all of the above (probably minus the sound issues) won’t be an issue for the majority of people who visit each night.

 

[Weststander]

I don't think that's true!

Other than nsc, I’m only the male I know who does, other than one brother. Across the social classes; my Dad, siblings, son, father in law, clients loathe them. Jokey complaints about having to see West End shows with their spouses.

An exception might be rock stuff such as Tommy, Jersey Boys?

 

[Weststander]

I really hate to shit on the above poster‘s plans, but last time I went it was just dire.

It started off amazing for a number of years - but it opened over 18 years ago now and it’s lost its way. Nowadays sadly the jokes don’t land, the cast are pretty poor, it’s just all very flat. The guy playing Fiyero is just dreadful, has been there over three years, and if anything has gotten even worse. The cast are bored, the effects are very dated compared to other, newer shows, and unforgivably the sound quality in the auditorium is just abysmal.

In theatre it’s common for the director to come in at least a few sessions with each new cast to give notes, tighten direction and tweak things to keep it fresh. But the original director hasn’t actually been to see the show in London in about 15 years, despite overseeing the Broadway production regularly and greenlighting their casting decisions. Here it’s all done by his associate, poorly.

Basically nowadays it’s a museum piece, one to say you’ve seen, but I think most people will be in for a nasty shock if they book to see the West End based on how brilliant the movie is.

I actually got a free ticket last time I went from a friend who works backstage and I left at the interval for an earlier train home.

BUT… I do watch things with a critical eye and compare to previous visits, I imagine all of the above (probably minus the sound issues) won’t be an issue for the majority of people who visit each night.

Any West End shows you’ve seen last 20 years that you adore?

 

[jcdenton08]

Other than nsc, I’m only the male I know who does, other than one brother. Across the social classes; my Dad, siblings, son, father in law, clients loathe them. Jokey complaints about having to see West End shows with their spouses.

An exception might be rock stuff such as Tommy, Jersey Boys?

I laugh when blokes complain “it’s stupid how they just burst into song” but are absolutely fine when they burst into songs they already know and like.

 

[jcdenton08]

Any West End shows you’ve seen last 20 years that you adore?

Les Mis will always be my number one. Consistently brilliant, sky high standards, they cast it superbly and rehearse often to keep it fresh and it really shows. The stage production is infinitely better than the film in this case, the inverse of Wicked.

 

[Weststander]

I laugh when blokes complain “it’s stupid how they just burst into song” but are absolutely fine when they burst into songs they already know and like.

As a boy I hated musicals …. I think of Saturday afternoons with just three TV channels, my mum watching a Busby Berkeley or Gene Kelly movie. Years later I realised these people were geniuses and you become far more broad minded about music.

 

[A1X]

Saw the stage show about 10 years ago and it was the most turgid crap I’ve ever seen in the West End.

That’s not me being anti-musicals BTW, seen many of them and enjoyed many of them but this? Terrible. Poor plot, terribly acted, the whole thing felt like a waste of two hours.

Not rushing out to see the film as a result.

 

[Weststander]

Les Mis will always be my number one. Consistently brilliant, sky high standards, they cast it superbly and rehearse often to keep it fresh and it really shows. The stage production is infinitely better than the film in this case, the inverse of Wicked.

Bring Him Home … even typing that, goosebumps.

We also love Phantom, a highlight was seeing it on Broadway in 2022.

 

[jcdenton08]

As a boy I hated musicals …. I think of Saturday afternoons with just three TV channels, my mum watching a Busby Berkeley or Gene Kelly movie. Years later I realised these people were geniuses and you become far more broad minded about music.

And just to address the elephant in the room bluntly; it is not a gay pastime to watch a musical and enjoy it. Most blokes go with their Mrs, then have a nice dinner and go home and share a bed. If you shag blokes, that’s quite gay, but watching a show or film for a couple of hours which doesn’t have wars or fast cars isn’t.

 

[jcdenton08]

Bring Him Home … even typing that, goosebumps.

We also love Phantom, a highlight was seeing it on Broadway in 2022.

Phantom is incredible, you were lucky to see it before it closed on Broadway! Incredible stagecraft.

 

[Weststander]

Phantom is incredible, you were lucky to see it before it closed on Broadway! Incredible stagecraft.

We were in Manhattan this April, Tommy took my fancy, but only I would’ve liked it. I love that music so much, my Dad had the vinyl. But a rubbish seat up in the gods was something like $400 last minute. Fck that for a game of soldiers.

 

[Weststander]

And just to address the elephant in the room bluntly; it is not a gay pastime to watch a musical and enjoy it. Most blokes go with their Mrs, then have a nice dinner and go home and share a bed. If you shag blokes, that’s quite gay, but watching a show or film for a couple of hours which doesn’t have wars or fast cars isn’t.

I did see that debate on Reddit.