my least favourite theatre of 2022 | 10 disappointing shows I saw last year as a UK theatre critic

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  • Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 81

  • @MickeyJoTheatre
    @MickeyJoTheatre  Год назад +21

    04:02 - Hex
    08:00 - Ava: The Secret Conversations
    10:54 - We Will Rock You
    15:32 - The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
    18:38 - The Dance of Death
    21:46 - 101 Dalmatians
    25:06 - The Snail House
    28:54 - Strictly Ballroom
    32:14 - From Here to Eternity
    35:18 - Claus the Musical

    • @Showtunediva
      @Showtunediva Год назад

      I have never heard Of Claus The Musical. Can I find a cast recording anywhere?

  • @kateelizabeth877
    @kateelizabeth877 Год назад +94

    I saw the remounted production of Hex in December and it was one of the worst and scariest experiences I have ever had in a theatre, speaking as a stage manager. In addition to the bad lyrics and annoying dialogue, there was a mishap with the castle where it got stuck on the ladder. Despite there being a person in the castle suspended at least 10 feet in the air, they kept bringing in the castle and there was a ton of slack in the line and the castle started tipping. I was appalled that stage management didn’t hold the show faster, and sitting in the third row I could see the panic and fear on the actors faces (as well as the faces of the 20 other stage managers sitting around me). At a venue that operates as such a high level, I was horrified by the incident and the general lack of substance in the show.

  • @chrissiegaming4173
    @chrissiegaming4173 Год назад +29

    I always appreciate that even your more "negative" content is still constructive and thoughtful. Nothing was thought of as irredeemable, which is refreshing.

  • @moviemelody2210
    @moviemelody2210 Год назад +72

    You should make most & least favorite musicals of said year videos every year going forward, I think that would be interesting

    • @MickeyJoTheatre
      @MickeyJoTheatre  Год назад +22

      That's definitely the plan! I love a roundup!

  • @PS-DLMA
    @PS-DLMA Год назад +21

    I really appreciate that you call them "disappointing" -
    Your comments about lyrics for HEX had my giggling because all I could think was "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord"

  • @curuvari2247
    @curuvari2247 Год назад +10

    As a Skandinavistik student, I am wheezing at ur opinion on Strindberg. Everybody's so divided on him, it's hilarious. Iirrc, his whole thing at that time was to portray how human beings don't make sense at all, how we're terribly changeable and illogical - also, homeboy hated women with a passion. His comments on female literature sadly also erased a lot of well-known works from the Scandinavian literary canon (we currently have a seminar on writers like Amalie Skram, Anne Charlotte Leffler, Camilla Collett, Frida Stéenhoff etc., some of which used to be equally famous and successful back in the day ... well, sorry, I'm ranting now). But yeah, totally feel that frustration with his characters and ur not alone.

  • @Ryan_P
    @Ryan_P Год назад +15

    I feel Hex has a great show in there fighting to get out. I saw the first preview of the remount, and based on what you said i don’t think much has changed.

  • @howardmarren3199
    @howardmarren3199 Год назад +7

    I am so sorry to hear of your disappointment in The Dance of Death. I cannot speak to the production you saw, but I am old enough and lucky enough to have seen it at the National in 1968 (?) with Laurence Olivier and Geraldine McEwen. That production was riveting and spell-binding. The Dance of Death is a masterpiece of dramatic literature. Without it, I doubt Edward Albee would have written Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. See if you can find the film version with Olivier. You might change your mind.

  • @richardgale4827
    @richardgale4827 Год назад +1

    I love that MickeyJo doesn't dub these '10 worst shows', because so many people work so hard to mount a production, and not everyone's to blame when the dismount falls flat. Lacklustre central performances, poor directorial decisions, hideous costumes, perhaps, but there's always somebody down the cast, in the wings, or in the bowels of the theatre who worked until they bled to help get that thing out there. And I salute them.

  • @thetheatrelibrary
    @thetheatrelibrary Год назад +16

    Before it’s even started I just have a feeling Hex is going to be in here 😂

  • @amitmeir8109
    @amitmeir8109 Год назад +13

    Brian May has confirmed that the London production of WWRY will not be the same production as the 2022 tour, it will be a brand new production.

    • @MickeyJoTheatre
      @MickeyJoTheatre  Год назад +2

      🤞

    • @oliviadaly4795
      @oliviadaly4795 Год назад

      So glad to hear that! I saw the original West End WWRY production a number of times (about 12, between 2008 ish and when it closed in the WE. I have the book, the PVG score and can quote a few memorable snippets from the original WE production, like 'Shagaleo Jiggalo' 🤣) . The first time I saw it was my first theatre performance ever and sparked an ongoing love affair with the West End, musical theatre, and Queen (the first time I saw them play live was the matinee closing performance at the Dominion; 31st May 2014. I've seen them in concert now 5 or 6 times since 2015, and flew 10,000 miles to catch them in LA at the Hollywood Bowl, and ofc go to Disneyland).
      As soon as I heard about the announcment, I immediately snagged 2 tickets in thr first 10 rows for opening night to bring everything full circle. I couldn't get tickets for original opening night in the West End as I was the grand old age of 1 and a half years old.
      I was getting slightly worried with MickeyJo putting WWRY on his list of worst shows of 2022, so it's a relief to hear its an all new production! Now all I have to do is hope they bring back the original 2002 West End cast! I went and saw and did not understand Cats a few years ago for the sole reason of seeing Kerry Ellis so heres hoping I can see her in a role I know lol

  • @blake_ilan
    @blake_ilan Год назад +2

    Long videos back to back? What a treat!

  • @pkminpkmon
    @pkminpkmon Год назад +1

    Love this! Seen lists from RUclipsrs of best / disappointing films of the year, but not for theatre yet. Nice to have a summary to look back on too!

  • @shlouise
    @shlouise Год назад +3

    I'm so relieved to hear that you didn't like this production of We Will Rock you! I've been wanting to see it for years and this was my first time and I was so disappointed! Happy to hear there's hope for other better productions in the future

    • @oliviadaly4795
      @oliviadaly4795 Год назад +1

      I haven't see the tour version so I can't comment on that specifically. But I saw the original 12 times way back when (2008-2014) and it kick started my love affair with Queen and also with musical theatre. I would assume its tricky to get the sort of staging they had originally in the Dominion on tour, but the new production coming back to the West End is going to be all new. So hopefully it'll be as good as the original

  • @joshuabarnett9027
    @joshuabarnett9027 Год назад +3

    I know u have been working super hard on giving us amazing content and that you said that the matida videos are coming but will they be hear this month

    • @MickeyJoTheatre
      @MickeyJoTheatre  Год назад +5

      On its way! Just needed to get these roundups out of the way but hopefully filming some more this week!

    • @joshuabarnett9027
      @joshuabarnett9027 Год назад +1

      @@MickeyJoTheatre love really enjoying all the content u have been putting out for us

  • @siobhan508
    @siobhan508 Год назад +2

    Did you see Cages at Riverside Studios? Interested in what other people thought of it!

  • @Showtunediva
    @Showtunediva Год назад +1

    So does the It’s A Wonderful Life opera rank somewhere in the middle? What about Oklahoma or Elf?

  • @AeronJames
    @AeronJames Год назад +2

    The year of shows I get way too excited about shows for them to disappoint me the most… hoping 2023 isn’t a repeat!

  • @bee_bch
    @bee_bch Год назад +2

    Unfortunately WWRY is the only show I had to leave halfway through, but it wasn’t entirely the shows fault. My dad was feeling ill partly due to the bright lights and the screen and I have anxiety so spent the whole time noticing he wasn’t feeling well, and just couldn’t lose myself in the show due to the lack of plot to follow and the comedy wasn’t making me laugh. We decided to leave at the interval as we just weren’t enjoying it and didn’t bother rebooking to see it again properly.

  • @mwmheps
    @mwmheps Год назад +1

    Interesting to hear your thoughts even though I hadn't seen any of the shows mentioned! I have seen Hex advertised around but I didn't even realise it was a musical... My personal least favourite show of the year was Cages at the Riverside Studios which I absolutely loathed, but I have seen a lot of people saying they loved it - theatre is definitely subjective!

  • @cameronclarkhull
    @cameronclarkhull Год назад +2

    Interesting with we will rock you. We saw it just before the pandemic in Hull, and the set looked great the LEDs curved around the stage, hiding the band.

  • @IWillBeHers
    @IWillBeHers Год назад +5

    I knew Hex would be here, one of my favorite review videos of yours 😂

    • @MickeyJoTheatre
      @MickeyJoTheatre  Год назад +1

      When I looked back I couldn't believe it was in 2022 😅 so long ago!

  • @trebogates
    @trebogates Год назад +1

    I loved From Here To Eternity, and felt they used the space well within the limitations of small theatre, though granted I have not seen the original production, and would love it to find a larger home to release its potential.
    Claus definitely missed the mark, you could see plenty of talent in the cast, but I felt it was too mature for the young children it was definitely aimed at, but they were brilliantly entertained with some immersive moments before the show started.

  • @burntcoppery
    @burntcoppery Год назад +2

    I have vague memories of seeing Dance of Death with Mckellen in 2003 and it was mostly depressing and confusing. Mostly '...you hate each other. And?'

  • @curzonproduct
    @curzonproduct Год назад +1

    Just putting it out there - Dance of Death is heavy going. But it’s also a masterpiece. It’s not for nothing that actors like Olivier, Alan Bates, McKellen etc have played Edgar

  • @brianeduardo1234
    @brianeduardo1234 Год назад

    I don’t know if you have time to read the comments - but just to say I love your videos - I like that you don’t use expletives, your articulacy and when Aeron takes part - all the best for 2023

    • @MickeyJoTheatre
      @MickeyJoTheatre  Год назад

      Thank you so much, we both appreciate the kind words! 😁

  • @dhjrtw
    @dhjrtw Год назад +2

    Vert much agree with your review of From Here to Eternity. I disnt see tge original. I did however, walk out during the interval.

  • @ChrisBiggs51
    @ChrisBiggs51 Год назад +1

    I have loved Queen since i saw them live with Freddie in 1982 & have seen them 5 times in recent years with Paul Rodgers & Adam Lambert.
    It will surprise nobody that i saw the Dominion production over a dozen times ! I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed with the touring production when i saw it at Milton Keynes last year. So much was "pared down" it looked like a new Mischief Theatre production & the last straw was when we got to the part where The Harley Davidson should have appeared & we got . . . . .a set of handlebars & a headlight !
    I lost a lot of respect for Brian, Roger & Ben that night & still cannot believe the milked the cash cow with such a shoddy product.

    • @oliviadaly4795
      @oliviadaly4795 Год назад

      Wow, that sounds extremely disappointing, especially if you've seen it over a dozen times (like I did too)
      Whilst it does sound crappy they pared it down so much, I don't think it helped that it was supposed to tour during COVID. Possibly they cut the budget down a lot to try and make more money as they knew not so many people (compared to pre pandemic) would want to go to the theatre?
      Apparently the production in the Coliseum this summer is an all new production which I'm thankful for; I had already bought tickets to opening night and was worried when Micky said he was disappointed by this production

  • @AthynVixen
    @AthynVixen Год назад +1

    Wow interested to hear you mention Hex. I haven't seen it but my YT ads are full of it. It looks like very bad am dram from the trailers..offkey singing and very poor quality songs

  • @slagarcrue85
    @slagarcrue85 Год назад

    I know what he’s talking about the last one. I have not seen the play. I have seen the toned down animated lighter movie verision of it were the war part is a very small portion of it that does not happen till the very end .the lioness dies of old age and getting sick and she dies off screen after the Nicholas draws s sketch of here. I’ve seen it on cartoon Network the past a few time but it’s been several years. It’s a really bizzare movie. There multiple religious things put in from other culture like they kind bits of the Greek and chelictic and some Norse mythology with the ogawass design.

  • @Ryandunbar1996
    @Ryandunbar1996 Год назад +5

    I have just listened to one of these days chorus for the first time and nearly died laughing its that bad 🤣🤣

  • @JC-gu3tj
    @JC-gu3tj Год назад +1

    So much insightful content - thank u

  • @daveford12
    @daveford12 Год назад

    The one thing I shall take away from this video is I’ve got the pronunciation of the writer’s name of the snail house is Richard Ear

  • @katya2450
    @katya2450 Год назад +1

    I saw the tour of WWRY- 3 show stops and 45 minutes late starting. Poor staging and poor costumes. Was a die hard fan of the original London production. Was so let down!

  • @coolerbean8341
    @coolerbean8341 Год назад +2

    101 Dalmatians was definitely one of my biggest disappointments this year. Which is such a shame because I was so sure I was going to love it that I booked to see it on my birthday.

    • @carolinebarry4301
      @carolinebarry4301 Год назад

      I did the same! As it was my Birthday I gave myself a treat and left at the interval (never done that before)!

  • @chuckoneill2023
    @chuckoneill2023 Год назад

    Too bad about Claus. The actual source book -- though odd -- could have been adapted better. Rankin-Bass adapted it for one of their classic stop-motion shows.

  • @til2896
    @til2896 Год назад +1

    I actually cried whilst watching Hex and not in a good way. Very disappointing, even though hearing your review before going I wasn't too optimistic. I am so confused at how that show was marketed as 'family friendly' because I absolutely did not believe it is. I am an adult and it petrified me.

  • @missdonutaltaccount1380
    @missdonutaltaccount1380 Год назад

    Mickey, what do you mean "Among the creatives was Rufus Norris & His Wife *Pause* That's Something Right There" could you explain it to me, I dont know what you're talking about because Ive never really known rufus norris, I know he does theatre work but I've never looked up facts & stuff about him, my curiosity is getting the better of me, please explain.

  • @palomafreitas3312
    @palomafreitas3312 Год назад

    Did you see Eureka Day School? I feel like there’s been a lot of these dramedy plays recently are just… too easy. Like they pick overdone social messages and then sure the jokes are decent and the acting is good so you laugh but it’s just not doing anything worth sticking with you. Just saw Windfall too and felt the same way

  • @callmemythicalminx1587
    @callmemythicalminx1587 Год назад

    I completely agree about We Will Rock You. I adore Queen and I've been wanting to see the show for years, but I hadn't been able to afford to go until last year. I saw the tour in Manchester and to say I was utterly disappointed would be an understatement.
    It's the first time I've ever wanted to walk out the theatre during the interval, but I held out hope it would get better in the second act. For paying such a premium price per ticket (one of, if not, the most expensive show I went to last year out of the 30 I saw), I was absolutely appalled at the quality of the set, costumes and direction. I was so bored with the story and the characters were so obnoxious and unfunny. I really disliked the dialogue as well, the jokes felt so tedious and unfunny. I think the cast I saw must have been in bad form too, as the acting felt lacklustre and the singing was horrendous to sit through. It felt like a patronising pantomime put on by high schoolers. I still can't believe a product of Queen could be so horrendous.
    I'm usually quite forgiving of shows and I don't really like to harshly rate them either, but WWRY is hands down the worst musical I've ever seen. I don't think I can think of one good thing I like about it.

    • @kinmanthebrave
      @kinmanthebrave Год назад +1

      I've seen a couple of productions of the show and there is nothing redeemable about the book. I hate it from my core. I have been lucky enough to see very talented casts that impress with their ability, but the show should be abolished. NO REDEEMING FEATURES in the book.

    • @funkyrich4500
      @funkyrich4500 Год назад

      I detest WWRY - worst theatre show ever created. Lazy cash cow with no redeeming qualities

  • @johnlevison6988
    @johnlevison6988 Год назад +1

    I still enjoyed We Will Rock You! Already booked for the Coliseum.

    • @oliviadaly4795
      @oliviadaly4795 Год назад

      I can't wait either! Was getting slightly worried when Mickey said he was disappointed by the tour production as I'd already booked tickets for the Coliseum's opening night (full circle since I was at the last ever matinee when it ran in the West End in May 2014) but apparently its an all new production. Hoping its as good as the original London one! (Which was so brilliant I saw it 12 times over 6 yrs)

  • @bethinabox1282
    @bethinabox1282 Год назад +1

    I also saw we will rock you this year and was disappointed ☹️. I saw it back in 2009 and it had sat it my top 3 shows ever since. I remember the set being amazing (the tech used felt quite advanced at the time??) but the tour set was so disappointing. I also thought the 'pulling the curtain' ruined the story. I swear the ending was better (ended it properly?) in the west end version? Fingers crossed for the new West end version

    • @bethinabox1282
      @bethinabox1282 Год назад

      Part of me felt that the production was scaled back to ensure it made money following Covid, as I think it was originally meant to tour in 2020 right?

    • @oliviadaly4795
      @oliviadaly4795 Год назад

      @@bethinabox1282 yep, it was meant to from December 2019 to July 2020. I think the first few shows might have gone ahead, but they obviously had to pull the tour and delay it for 2 yrs so I think you're right; sounds like they cut the budget for staging so they wouldn't lose so much money so soon post COVID. Can't wait for the revamped production at the Coliseum in 2023. I think it'll be as spectacular as it was all those years ago (I was obsessed and was lucky enough to see it maybe 12 times between 2008 and when it closed)

  • @David-pt8ge
    @David-pt8ge Год назад

    For the last month, whenever I login to RUclips, I have to sit through the advert of 'Hi, Hi, Hello, Hello, Hello' from Hex. How they can ever thought that was a highlight that needed to be shared in their advertising is beyond me.
    And it offends me that he is pissing their advertising budget on his own show. For a Christmas show, it has really tanked.
    They even added insult to injury by putting the prices up for a show that is doing really badly.
    I see Rosalie chose resting over going back.

    • @cassandragough
      @cassandragough Год назад

      I just commented about how irritating this ad is then have read that you beat me to it!
      Could not agree more - it's terrible and in no way a good advert for the show.

  • @queendevious3236
    @queendevious3236 Год назад

    Question for everyone so while I was listening to Mickey describe The Snail House I was thinking the climate activist thing kinda reminds me of a play called “If there is I haven’t found it yet” have any of you guys every heard of it or seen it … I was doing research on plays with darker subject matter and I came across it and found it very interesting in concept but haven’t heard a whole lot about it

  • @ava8340
    @ava8340 Год назад

    my family and i, albeit not professionals, really enjoyed hex! personally i agree the lyrics weren’t…good.. and were really cliché but the actual music, staging, costumes and some of the actors we saw (we had some understudies) were amazing. though, the plot was a bit weird and sleeping beauty herself was really uninteresting. i liked the way it subverted the expectation of it being a kids’ show with the unexpected swear words and things, but it did get REALLY dark and i’m shocked that smith got no closure - so what about all the kids that actually were there, because there were a lot? it had some problems and wasn’t the most incredible thing ever, but overall it was really enjoyable and magical as a night out

    • @MickeyJoTheatre
      @MickeyJoTheatre  Год назад

      That's great, I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves! Everything is someone's favourite flavour 😁

  • @mts7130
    @mts7130 Год назад +1

    Thanks!

  • @poppyameiIa
    @poppyameiIa Год назад +2

    granted, i haven’t had the chance to see it but i had *such* high hopes for hex. a contemporary musical take on sleeping beauty could’ve been such a hit, especially with the exceptional cast it had... so, to hear that it’s been such a miss _both_ times round is disappointing.

  • @cassandragough
    @cassandragough Год назад

    I watch a lot of RUclips videos and an ad for Hex is frequently played. It's the "hello, hi, hello" song you spoke about. It is clearly terrible and is driving me crazy - such lazy song writing, like something from children's television. I don't have a musical talent in any way but I feel even I could write something better than that tripe!

  • @DDTC73
    @DDTC73 Год назад +1

    At least Tammy Faye wasn't in this list, because then we would have fallen out ;)

  • @Umopuns
    @Umopuns Год назад

    Moulin Rough needs to be added to the list

  • @cedgson91
    @cedgson91 Год назад

    I definitely remember the 101 Dalmatian’s thing 😅

  • @johnnynotty
    @johnnynotty Год назад +2

    I am pleased as ‘the lion the witch and the wardrobe’ isn’t on this list. As I thought it truly was a triumph and so true to the books and not the terrible films. It mirrored the BBC adaptation that is by far king of all the versions.

  • @finlaycooper5209
    @finlaycooper5209 Год назад

    I watched Claus yesterday and... it was tough to get through!! Some of the worst writing I've ever seen, full of cliches, unfunny and really cringeworthy dialogue. I thought the cast were wonderful and the score had some triumphs, but the book let it down a lot!

  • @rsmith4407
    @rsmith4407 Год назад

    Sadly…most theatre these days is completely derivative and full of a writer/director/actor’s ego. I’m also sick to the back teeth of celebrity (aka telly/film actor) “bums-on-seat casting, which is only adding to the cultural slog I can see theatre is suffering from after the pandemic trauma. The artists and the art is burnt out right now and I don’t know how long this will last. I’m not being hyperbolic using the word trauma, honestly. I can’t get excited about seeing another Tennessee Williams or a Shakespeare or even a new extra-long monologue where another famous person who’s having their “west end debut” is a “tour-de-force” though, sorry not sorry guys. I need more.

  • @2009blades
    @2009blades Год назад

    Deathdrop is the most weird show I have worked on

  • @andrewstorm8240
    @andrewstorm8240 Год назад +1

    We will Rock will come back into London

    • @oliviadaly4795
      @oliviadaly4795 Год назад

      Apparently Brian confirmed the production is an all new one ans not this one (which I believe was scaled back as it was meant to tour during COVID)
      Which is a relief cos I had bought tickets for opening night before seeing this video

  • @cedgson91
    @cedgson91 Год назад

    lol at a Hex ad played literally just before this video started doing the Hi hello song and I find it ridiculously bad 😂😂😂😂🙃

  • @lawrencejordan213
    @lawrencejordan213 Год назад

    Why, why,why did put from here to eternity on this list I loved it, but I hated the whole of we will rock you, I wanted to see it for years it was awful.

  • @lauramarshall1028
    @lauramarshall1028 Год назад

    I wanted to see Hex because of a certain performer but the reviews put me off. From lots of people

  • @herreguda6199
    @herreguda6199 Год назад +1

    Cinderella by that Tory tit Andrew Lloyd Webber should be on here. Everything about it screamed "terrible".

    • @cassandragough
      @cassandragough Год назад +1

      Firstly, Mickey Jo saw and reviewed Cinderella in 2021 not 2022.
      Secondly, Cinderella was brilliant; I loved it!