How old are you and how did you get into musicals?

Love2love

Just wondering what the age group of the musical forum is??

I'm 26 and I grew up with musicals. Not many of my friends can say the same. They think I'm nuts!! My parents were big musical fans too especially my dad who introduce me to all the MGM favourites. There is nothing better than chilling out on a Sunday afternoon watching one.

fonpokno

I'm 19! I grew up watching musicals and disney films and all. Started piano at about 6 and I sing too so I was always into music anyway.

My dad was big into musicals and brought us to them as often as he could. We started with all the classics of The Sound Of Music and Singin' in the Rain and all of those and now I'm getting him into the likes of Sweeney Todd and Avenue Q! Did a few musicals in secondary school and they're just so cool!

I think there's just something so magical about musicals, it's a total escape from reality and they never ever fail to improve my mood. I'm sick atm and I'm watchin all the musicals and Disney films i have!

Niamh-17

Im 18 and i think i was about 3 or 4 when i went to my first musical (which was fiddler on the roof and that was the first show then when i performed it ha) Since iv been going to shows loads, and it was my dad who got me into them!

Love2love

Seems we have a trend here. Daughters and Dads!

Aisling(",)

im 17 and it was my dad who got me into them aswell.

ive been performing in musicals since im around 4 when i joined my first stage school

fonpokno

Love2love wrote: »

Seems we have a trend here. Daughters and Dads!

Yeah I've been noticing that around here alot lately! not really what I'd expected at all!

Honey-ec

I'm 26, and have been doing shows since I was about 4 and joined the local variety group - my whole family was in it bar my eldest brother and my mam.

My parents were into Andrew Lloyd Webber and at every single family gathering we always had a massive sing-song - I think "Take That Look Off Your Face" was probably the first song I knew start-to-finish

I'm the only one in the family who still performs, though.

Christopher cap

when i was 19 i went to an pop show seeing the singer's popularity i want to become popular like that singer. This is the way i got interested in music.

nkay1985

I'm 23 and it's kind of odd that I ended up doing anything musical.

Neither of my parents, or their families, would be traditionally musical. Nobody ever played any instruments or anything but at any family party (of which there was at least two a year) there would be a huge singsong. It was mostly old songs and rebel songs but still, everybody sang. Some were actually pretty decent!

But there was never any emphasis put on music. My parents didn't listen to a lot of music, just what was on the radio. They didn't go to shows or anything.

Then when I was about 9 or 10 they started to go to musicals on trips with work. And that started a trend, I suppose. My brother who's three years older than me started secondary school and did music. I did the same having become really interested in it in the intervening years.

The school I attended, De La Salle College in Waterford, has had its own musical society for 30 years. They put on a show every year in the Theatre Royal in town. Mu older brother did Some Like It Hot when he was in transition year. I did Joseph. But I then went on and did Little Shop of Horrors that year, and Fame the following year. Since I left secondary school I've not done anything really musical. It's strange having sung in choirs two or three times a week and doing shows as well, to not do anything. But there was no musical society in Limerick while I was there. And now that I'm back in Waterford I work shift work which doesn't lend itself to rehearsals. I'm not sure if I've been out of the loop too long to get back in too!!!

So now it's my younger brother carrying the flame. He's played Pilate in Superstar and Danny in Grease. And has gotten the part of Prince Charming in the upcoming Panto so he's doing well for himself.

evil-monkey

22. Girlfriend.

I'm 23 and 3 days. Don't really remember how I got into musicals but I've always loved them.

Aoifums

I'm 15 and semi obsessed with musicals. I didn't realise that there was a musicals board, so it rocks!!

I was a little obsessed with Annie and Oliver when I was around 5-7. My mam bought them because they were on sale and they never went a week with out being played at least twice.

My English teacher showed us the dvd of Phantom when I was 13. I bought the dvd the next day and it kicked of my Andrew Llyod Webber obsession. I was in London about two weeks later and went to see it live... I haven't been able to stomach the movie since. I've just tried to see as many as possible since then. My current obsession is Hair, one of my friends introduced me to it Good times.

I have turned into a musical snob though. It's really bad because I was livid when I realised my school only ever produced all girls mucials. I'm just glad I wasn't there when they produced Joseph...

Agent Smith

I'm 23, I got into them when i was about 10/11. I used to watch all the old mataines on C4 during the summer with my Grandmother. She had Alzimeiers but could Recite all the songs as if she sung them herself.

Dublinstiofán

I'm 21 and played Marius in a school production of Les Mis. Got myself into them after that. Theyre great. Would like to see a few more decent ones come to Ireland. It's a pain in the arse having to go to London to see them.

I think its unsusal that most people who have posted are between 15 and 26. That's really strange in my mind. Is it because we all saw 'the lion king' in the cinemas when we were kids?

What have you guys seen to date?

Honey-ec

Dublinstiofán wrote: »

Would like to see a few more decent ones come to Ireland. It's a pain in the arse having to go to London to see them.

The Point was the only theatre in Ireland large enough to take most of the "big" shows, so while it was closed there was absolutely nothing decent touring here. Now that it's redeveloped, hopefully we'll start to see some of the large West End productions coming back...

Aisling(",)

Joseph and the amazing thecnicolour dreamcoat is coming to the gaeity again i think

mishka2008

Just discovered this thread!! brilliant!!! the point (or O2 whatever they are calling it these days) is purely a concert venue from now on... no more shows... start keeping an eye out for cheap flights to London!

fonpokno

mishka2008 wrote: »

Just discovered this thread!! brilliant!!! the point (or O2 whatever they are calling it these days) is purely a concert venue from now on... no more shows... start keeping an eye out for cheap flights to London!

What??? Seriously?? That's such terrible news... What on earth possessed them to do that?

Agent Smith

maybe they think irish people are too thick for musicals

Aoifums

mishka2008 wrote: »

Just discovered this thread!! brilliant!!! the point (or O2 whatever they are calling it these days) is purely a concert venue from now on... no more shows... start keeping an eye out for cheap flights to London!

What...??? My life is ruined... I can't afford a trip to London... Ah well, I have Evita in Belfast in April!

mishka2008

im not absolutely 100% sure but I do remember hearing it somewhere before the <snip> reopened... if you google it its only referred to as a live music venue and if you go onto the o2 website and look at upcoming events its all concerts...
also if you go onto the ticketmaster website and search for musicals you get mostly things in the <snip>, <snip> and the <snip>...! nothing in <the snip>...

Aoifums

mishka2008 wrote: »

the <snip>...!

Don't mention that place. I can still dream that the amazing <snip> will show musicals someday.

mishka2008

ive never actually been to the <snip - I forgot we're not allowed talk about MCD venues>... is it that bad???

Aoifums

It is actually. I've only been there once, but I can say without a doubt, I will never go again.

I'm not going to go all ranty, it's not too nice when I do that. There's just a couple of problems.

-The sound is awful. They amplify the orchestra and it's just a wall of sound. I couldn't pick out each instrument, or even each section.
-The seats are so uncomfy Every time you move, they move and some squeak so it's really noisy. And people brought kids, who got bored and were shifting around.
-The stuff they sell. They sell Pringles! Delicious crisps but everytime they're opened they make the same noise over and over... It just gets annoying when you're trying to listen. Same with sweet bags, they sell stuff in noisy bags.

There's more where that comes from. And I know they sound like small stuff, but they all combine to really irritate me. I'm a theatre snob though, so I guess most people wouldn't notice it. And I had just come back from London, where people actually like musicals, so I'm a little biased.

fonpokno

Aoifums wrote: »

There's more where that comes from. And I know they sound like small stuff, but they all combine to really irritate me. I'm a theatre snob though, so I guess most people wouldn't notice it. And I had just come back from London, where people actually like musicals, so I'm a little biased.

I'm the same. I absolutely hate when people are loud or obnoxious in a theatre. Drives me demented. When I was in 6th year we went to see the theatrical version of How Many Miles To Babylon for English. The play was fantastic and the lead actor was just amazing but the whole play was marred by f*ckwit teenagers who hadn't an ounce of respect for the people on stage. Made me so angry.

I don't like the <snip> or the <snip> tbh. I much prefer the Abbey or, even better, The Gate. I think the Gate is an amazing venue. I think the Civic Theatre is great also and I loved Andrew's Lane. I was really very disappointed when it closed! I love smaller intimate settings for plays and musicals though. Also the selling of pringles and crisps and stuff at a play is criminal. Nothing worse than crunching and rattling and phones going off.

Aoifums

fonpokno wrote: »

whole play was marred by f*ckwit teenagers who hadn't an ounce of respect for the people on stage.

I can totally relate to this. My first and only time at the opera was in second year. It was great, but the girl sitting beside me kept leaning over and saying really loudly "I think he's gay". She must have said it at least thirty times.

fonpokno wrote: »

Also the selling of pringles and crisps and stuff at a play is criminal. Nothing worse than crunching and rattling and phones going off.

Same with fizzy drinks or anything in cans, popcorn (who sells popcorn at a musical?), or anything that can be used to create noise. Any theatre that I have been to in London have had a limited selection of sweets. I've been trying to figure out if these are only allowed because they make minimal noise.

angelinalove

I am 22 years old and I am in high school musical3 and guitar hero world tour.

Mario007

hey people, just want to say that even though i do not like musicals sweeney todd is amazing(the film version that is)...oh and i'm 17:D

fonpokno

Dude, if you think the Sweeney Todd movie was good you should see the live show! The live show is freaking amazing. Best musical I've ever seen.

Mario007

really? i've read some stuff about the live show on the internet and it didn't seem too appealing with more johanna and anthony context and less blood than in the movie. Plus depp is actually amazing in the movie

fonpokno

Well there would be less blood in a live show than in the film. But I thought it was great to see how they got around the inability to have blood spewing all over the place even though he was murdering left right and centre.

I saw the show first and was quite disappointed with the movie tbh. Found the portrayal of the characters in the show was alot more...distsurbing than in the film. Also the effect of actual singing is much more powerful and affecting than the mediocre vocals that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter provided.

But that's just me! I'd say if you ever got a chance to see the live show to take it! There really is quite a difference between the two! Also they leave out The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd in the film and that's my favourite song from the whole thing. Super dramatic.

Edit: and also, while Johnny Depp is really like the most amazing actor he just doesn't have to singing voice to pull it off well enough for my liking.

Beibhinn20

definitely a daughter dad thing! im 20 and have been into musicals for longer than i can remember really...its so dads influence my mum couldn't hold a melody if she tried (but bless,she tries).

markpb

I was bored one evening in college and went to see DCU Drama's production of Jesus Christ Superstar in Victories Church outside DCU. Odd start but I've loved musicals ever since. I've been to almost all of DCU Drama's shows (which have thankfully moved out of chapels and into the Helix) and travelled to Belfast and London to see a few. Avenue Q was my latest and I'm still singing the songs a month later

Mario007

ha thanks for that fonpokno, i dunno i actually quite like depp's voice and i think bonham carter made a really good job at potraying mrs lovett, plus i like the cgi and the gothic style of sweeney and mrs lovett. Also I heard that the ending in the musical is that toby goes mad, is that true? cos i prefer the cold blooded revenger toby:D

but i think i will see it if i get the chance, i mean why not?:D

Edit: and also, while Johnny Depp is really like the most amazing actor he just doesn't have to singing voice to pull it off well enough for my liking.[/QUOTE]

fonpokno

I think the endings are the same! Not quite as graphic as the film again but the same I think!

I think the reason I was underwhelmed by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter was because the cast of the show I saw (in The Gate about 6 months or a year before the movie was released) had the most amazing voices! Like ridiculously powerful and stuff. The voice of Todd especially. In the movie his vocals are like really clean and smooth whereas in the play there's something of a growl in his voice which is like both amazingg and uber sexy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww6onoHRunI

This is the best version i could find... Listen to this from about 5.35 for the Ballad of Sweeney Todd. I think it's just a great song. And you get to hear the real growl in Sweeney's voice!

Mario007

fonpokno wrote: »

I think the endings are the same! Not quite as graphic as the film again but the same I think!

I think the reason I was underwhelmed by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter was because the cast of the show I saw (in The Gate about 6 months or a year before the movie was released) had the most amazing voices! Like ridiculously powerful and stuff. The voice of Todd especially. In the movie his vocals are like really clean and smooth whereas in the play there's something of a growl in his voice which is like both amazingg and uber sexy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww6onoHRunI

This is the best version i could find... Listen to this from about 5.35 for the Ballad of Sweeney Todd. I think it's just a great song. And you get to hear the real growl in Sweeney's voice!

i watched it, its pretty good, and i can see what ya mean by the growl in the voice, but i still like the calm powerful voice depp had, and you gotta understand i am a guy so i prefered bonham carter as mrs lovett;):D
but then again it is true its way different watching a video from the live musical than actually being present at the musical(we've done wicked in school ant it just didn't feel the same watching the dvd afterwards):D

fonpokno

Ahh dudes, we're not allowed talk about MCD venues, I'm a freakin idiot, I was doing it!

List of venues we're not allowed to discuss here.

petals

I'm 23! Always been a music head and fell in love with the local musical society a few years ago when they put on a production of My Fair Lady but only joined last week cos I've been out of my home town for the last five years.

dramabob

I got sucked into DCU Drama at the age of 29 (bloody mature students), and havent looked back!

I appeared in Sweet Charity, The Full Monty and Fame, and even after leaving the college, managed to get roped back in to produce this year's show - RENT.

With the help of a brilliant committee, I arranged the very first of the now-annual DCU Drama Broadway Baby trips - where we took 30-40 students to New York for 4 nights to see three shows. Over the years, we've seen Wicked, Spamalot, Hairspray, Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, RENT, Avenue Q, Spring Awakening, Chicago and a lot more.

I'm totally hooked now, can't get enough

fonpokno

Oh I know a girl who went on that trip this year! She loved it, that trip makes me wish I was in DCU...

dramabob

There's still time! Quick! Change your course....

BobTheBeat

Like everyone here, I got interested through my parents love of musicals. But, being a bloke I might be in the minority. Grew up with all the MGM classics as well as Disney. Got into music heavily when I was about 13, took up drums, then got very interested in the musical arrangement side of things. I guess only in the past 3 years or so has my interested picked back up again. My girlfriend is the same,so that helps. All of her workmates get so jealous when she tells them im taking her to shows, seeing as most of their boyfriends would run a mile if they suggested going. Lousy!

Edit: Forgot to add, im 27

fonpokno

Your girlfriend is so lucky! My other half is less than enthusiastic about musicals... Although I managed to drag him to Mamma Mia and he actually enjoyed it!

pullandbang

To all you teeny boppers out there...

Just glanced down through some of these posts and you all seem to be 20 somethings and got interested through your parents.

Well, I'm the opposite.....pushing 50 and only got interested through my daughter taking part in local productions.

Just back from a weekend in Derry having been to see Evita in the Millenium Forum and it was brilliant. Best show I've seen - mind you haven't seen too many:)

Megsy

I'm 17 and I've pretty much always enjoyed musicals.

When I was very young I was in a speech and drama group and being the little ones we made up a lot of the chorus. I eventually stopped that though and didn't attend any sort of drama/theatre classes til I was about 14 or so. I've only been in a few musicals like "The Wizard of Oz", "Annie", "Oliver" (twice) and just recently "Back to the 80's".

I also grew up watching pretty much any Disney movie ever made so I've always liked watching musicals too. Recently though I've gotten a lot more into them thanks to my boyfriend, who is a big fan of broadway and musicals.

The only musical which I have seen on stage is "The Blood Brothers" which was an absolutely fantastic show. I'd love to go to Broadway or the West End someday though and see something like "Chicago" or "Sweeney Todd".

Speaking of Sweeney Todd actually, I really enjoyed the film version with Depp but has anyone else seen the Broadway version which had Angela Lansbury in it? There are vids of it on youtube and I have to say she makes an absolutely hilarious Mrs. Lovett.

star-pants

I'm 25 and have always liked musicals. Music would have been something I was always surrounded by at home (songs being played, or people singing). Would have watched lots of MGM films and disney films etc - always enjoyed musicals.
I knew every word to ones like Mary Poppins/Alice in Wonderland and so forth. And I still love them now - a musical can just cheer you up

fonpokno

Megsy wrote: »

Speaking of Sweeney Todd actually, I really enjoyed the film version with Depp but has anyone else seen the Broadway version which had Angela Lansbury in it? There are vids of it on youtube and I have to say she makes an absolutely hilarious Mrs. Lovett.

I've seen clips on the Angela Lansbury Mrs Lovett and I'd say she was deadly. But she's deadly in everything. You should really try to get to a production of Sweeney Todd if you can. The stage show is so far superior to the Johnny Depp movie. Like I was incredibly with the movie.

Costigan

I went to NYC a few years back with the EX neither of us liked the things but we decided it was the done thing to do to go and see one. She choose legally blonde and I loved it hahaha. Next night went to see the producers and the night after went to see a third but the name escape me (It had Myles from Fraizer in it). Moved to London a while back and have seen a few here as well.

emeraldstar

Costigan wrote: »

I went to NYC a few years back with the EX neither of us liked the things but we decided it was the done thing to do to go and see one. She choose legally blonde and I loved it hahaha. Next night went to see the producers and the night after went to see a third but the name escape me (It had Myles from Fraizer in it). Moved to London a while back and have seen a few here as well.

Spamalot?

Costigan

emeraldstar wrote: »

Spamalot?

It wasn't but i have seen that. Wasn't too impressed with Spamalot :rolleyes:. It was something about detectives I'll find out and let you know!

emeraldstar

Curtains?

http://www.curtainsthemusical.com/curtains_behindthecurtain.php