My loathing of musical theatre

Loathing is a bit strong. What I hate are the “Songs from the Shows” programmes that TV produces now and again. I’m going to spoil my rock credentials here, I have a soft spot for musical theatre.

This year, whilst celebrating our Wedding Anniversary, I took my wife to see Company at Buxton Opera House.

It’s an old-fashioned type of music that reminds us of the past, whether it’s the 1920s or the 1980s; there’s nothing modern about these shows. Maybe that’s why the audience consists mostly of older people reminiscing about a perfect time that never existed.

It’s also great for playing. I’ve performed at local shows, and once I got a call to play at a rehearsal. I agreed, showed up with my guitars, and found a chart with complex chords, which was why the previous guitarist left. I ended up just looking at the music without playing. I understood why he had quit. The following week was the technical rehearsal, and a few days later was the dress rehearsal. I did well, even though I hadn’t played an instrument in months. Some of the chords I used weren’t typical jazz voicings.

There are two types of musicals: one features mostly original music and lyrics, while the other uses existing songs, often from a single artist like ABBA, Madness, or Queen. This second type has roots going back past the show Ain’t Misbehavin’, which includes pre-existing songs like the title song and Honeysuckle Rose by Fats Waller, along with songs from other composers.

But it is not the songs from Jersey Boys or Bat out of Hell: The Musical I am ranting about here. These songs have proved themselves. The version of Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Sarah Vaughan with Miles Davis on trumpet has to be, in my opinion, one of the most sublime pieces of music ever recorded.

No, my issue is with the songs written for musicals. While some are great, others only help move the story along. They aren’t bad, but they work better in the show. Out of context, like in a concert, they don’t resonate as well. Even the best songs, like “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables or “Memories” from Cats, are more impactful within the play. They lose something outside the theatre, and even film adaptations can’t match the stage experience. Instead of just listening to the songs, go see the whole show.

The one exception I’ll make is a jukebox musical where the artist is still performing. Then go see the artist perform their own work. For example, don’t go to see American Idiot, go to see Green Day!

I started writing this as a rant about misial theatre, but having put my stream of consciousness on the page, you know what, I don’t have it in me to be angry anymore.