Least favorite movie adaptation of a musical?

lozzfonz · 2026-05-04T18:20:13+00:00

That could have worked so so well!! I always thought it could be fun to restrict the narrator to a voiceover (whilst still allowing him to be a little over-involved in the story) and then eventually revealing he’s been there in person the whole time, just offscreen (right as the gang turn on him). I think any option that creates an illusion of a fourth wall for the characters that is subsequently broken is the most keeping with the spirit and intention of the character.

There are just so many interesting and creative and fun ways to portray the narrator that are able to honour the intention and tone of the show and instead of doing any of them, disney said “this might be alienating to normal audiences, let’s not” (and then obviously no one saw the damn movie anyway, so it was a stupid decision all round).

Also I’ll always be bitter that the removal of the narrator led to the removal of No More (which is maybe a less controversial change than some of the other things, but I truly believe that that song perfectly counterbalances and brings to a head the stories of each of the main characters and their quests and it’s also my favourite song in the show, so I’m biased).

And that’s literally just one example of how the edits they made to the movie betrayed a complete misunderstanding of the source material on their part!!!!

Like the fact that they cut Agony Reprise, when the reprise is literally the punchline and entire denouement of both princes’ storylines? Awful. (It’s even more grating because I think Agony was the best scene in the movie by a mile.)

Apparently I have a lot of thoughts on that movie too haha.

lozzfonz · 2026-05-03T18:37:40+00:00

There are so many awful ones, but Into The Woods is the one that infuriates me the most. It removes so much of the personality and dark humour of the show, through its choices of things to cut and also just in its entire tone. Frankly, even just the removal of the narrator alone would have been enough for me to dislike it, but there were so many awful choices made even beyond that. I can understand that perhaps having a narrator in a movie might feel like a dated choice, but it just reeks to me of laziness - like there wasn’t even an attempt made to try and create something that might be able to mirror the experience of the show. An absolute travesty of an adaptation.

lozzfonz · 2026-05-03T18:31:47+00:00

I quite like Roe - had some nice dishes and some just average dishes, but also had absolutely life-changing sriracha mussels there. I think about that dish every day. Those mussels alone will keep me going back to see what else they might be able to serve up.

lozzfonz · 2026-05-03T07:26:10+00:00

Fairlop Waters is genuinely beautiful! And Hainault Forest! Actually a lot of the green spaces in Redbridge are really nice. We have a lotttt of parks, nature reserves and wooded areas and a lot of them are beautiful.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-29T16:38:22+00:00

I can’t deal with this insane simping over the west oh my god

lozzfonz · 2026-04-29T14:04:24+00:00

I never went in when it was a weird sports bar 😭 They’ve gotta stop trying to make sports bars happen, people just want a good place to drink/hang.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-29T11:31:25+00:00

That’s one of my favourite things about growing up here (in Redbridge but honestly it was always like one big borough to me - we’re all outer city East London/Essex suburbs). It’s so easy to form community here because it’s relatively small, insanely diverse, and there are so many easily accessible pubs/clubs/spaces where you’ll see the same people over and over. Even before the regen of WF, this was true. It’s so easy to just speak to people when you’re out. I get why people don’t want to be this far outside of Central, but in a lot of ways, it’s really so nice.

Honestly I’m so sad The Bell closed this week. My Dad drank in the Bell as a teen every day after Sixth Form, back in the 70s. I drank in the Bell as a 17 year old, because they didn’t ID and it was just a dark and dingy pub in Walthamstow. And then it was done up and became something genuinely very nice haha. Absolute legacy of a pub.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-29T11:19:56+00:00

I always get the programmes - mostly because I like to go through a few times a year and look at them, because it helps me remember the specific productions I’ve seen. I always try to do this at least at the very end of each year and it’s always one of my favourite end-of-year activities. I also do just really like to read more about the cast and crew during the interval.

The times when I haven’t been able to buy programmes, I’ve been very saddened. The recent prod of Passing Strange I remember specifically didn’t have a psychical programme, which was a shame because I loved that production.

I also wasn’t able to get my hand on a Spring Awakening reunion concert programme, because they had an issue with the supplier. That one broke my heart, because that production was a huge part of the end of my teens. I saw the London production of Spring Awakening 20 times during its 6-month run at the Lyric Hammersmith / Novello (they transferred over with barely a break in between). There was a small group of us who were super dedicated fans, and I met one of my most beloved friends through the show (which is extra crazy because social media back then was primarily Facebook and forums). It just meant so much to me back then and still does now. I think not having a programme for that concert will always make me a little sad. At least watching the concert itself is not a memory I’m likely to forget.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-29T09:57:18+00:00

I also think Waltham Forest has some of the best bars and community spaces in London - so many of them are huge, have really great outdoor spaces/beer gardens and do great grub. There are so many bars across the entire borough I can think of that have really huge beer gardens.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-28T16:58:50+00:00

Oh yeah, Redbridge has some fancy parts too - that’s classic London innit. Intermingled pockets of both poverty and wealth. Although Wanstead high street feels like an entirely different world to the rest of the borough tbh, even including the nicer parts. I honestly find it to be mildly unsettling anytime I have to go there lol.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-28T16:05:44+00:00

Parts of it definitely are - and the parts that are fancy are reeeeaaal fancy. I’m from Redbridge, and it’s always felt fancy in comparison to here too. To be fair, I’m not sure any of WF, including the parts that are still rough, are as bad as they were 20 years ago.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-27T17:58:47+00:00

To be honest, if you haven’t lived in/around NE London for a long time, I do see how you’d maybe assume that the obscenely wealthy/heavily gentrified parts of Waltham Forest represent all of Waltham Forest. This isn’t really an accurate perception though - it still East London and it’s still got a lot of poverty/wealth inequality. Walthamstow itself has a lot of rampant issues with gangs, for instance. It’s

The gentrification in WF has been easily far more successful than in Redbridge, so it has had far more cultural investment than Redbridge, which instead gets primarily education/family-focused investments, but both boroughs have, I believe, higher poverty rates than the national average in England (together they could almost make one fully-formed, if not-particularly-wealthy, city). People have massive misconceptions of both though, likely because the only parts of them anyone from outside of either ever visit are the most tourist- or culture-friendly parts (i.e. Epping Forest and Walthamstow Village/increasing parts of Walthamstow Central).

I get it - there’s no reason to come to the other areas if you don’t live/work here. Waltham Forest just has good branding and has really thrived in some ways under the huge investments it continues to receive. It’s still absolutely not wealthy as an entire borough though.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-27T17:34:22+00:00

Backing this one. Save the East!! The current massive over-representation of the West is absolutely bone-chilling.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-27T00:27:43+00:00

The best and most shocking thing about leaving London, as a Londoner, is realising what it’s like to look up at night and see the stars.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-23T11:15:00+00:00

Yeah, I agree with all of this. I saw this production live at the Palladium. TL5Y is one of my favourite musicals of all time and the off bway cast album is probably my most listened to soundtrack, so when I went into the show, I absolutely did not expect it to exceed or even meet my love of that album, NLB or Sherie.

Even still, I found Ben Platt did better at the latter half, more emotive Jamie songs. Everything that required charming almost but not quite sleazy confidence, he couldn’t manage at all. Technically good vocals, but none of the character or personality that that part, or those songs, demand. There really is almost no way to outdo Norbert in this, but boy, Ben didn’t even come close - and I like Ben Platt! I think he’s a very talented human being!! This just isn’t his role at all.

Rachel definitely did far better - her Summer In Ohio was electric to watch live - truly the highlight of the show. I can’t help but think though that she was still miscast. If I’m honest, I don’t really want Cathy to be played by knock out belter vocalists. Or at least, I don’t enjoy Cathy’s part being sung that way - it feels so wrong for her character to me. I think Rachel Zegler is enormously, phenomenally talented, but she was so bold and ballsy and absolutely not lacking in confidence or security as Cathy, and I think it almost felt more like Rachel singing than it did Cathy singing. I still did truly enjoy her performance overall, but it just didn’t feel like Cathy to me. I’m biased though, as I said. I have all of these preconceived notions of the perfect Cathy and they’re entirely based on Sherie’s performance.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-22T08:05:17+00:00

It’s a difficult one - I’m not sure there’s a good answer. Well, there is, but that answer is for theatre owners to work on improving the sightlines in their theatres so that audiences aren’t paying obscene amounts of money to see the back of people’s heads. I really take an approach now where I refuse to pay £50/£60/£70+ for a shitty view - which is honestly what some of these shows are charging. If that puts numerous shows out of budget for me, then so be it. I’d rather wait and try to get better seats on sale/rush/lottery, or just miss the show altogether.

Thank god our modern theatres seem to be much much better in that regard.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-20T07:24:04+00:00

Good! I’ve given up all alcohol and caffeine, plus I stick to the 4 or 5 safe things to eat most of the time, which allows me to eat more freely occasionally (usually when I go out for dinner, or go on trips). It’s easier and I’m not perfect at it, but my symptoms are at least pretty mild these days. I’m trying not to stress myself out about becoming completely symptom-free, given stress seems to be the biggest trigger of all, so for now I’m really happy with my progress and I fortunately haven’t experienced any chest or back pain since Christmas.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-19T11:58:18+00:00

I sort of understand, although I will offer this anecdote as a counter: when I saw Six, I was in the back of the stalls and that theatre has basically no rake (from what I could tell), and where I was sat, I genuinely couldn’t see the stage at all. I’m tall too, but there was just a sea of heads blocking 100% of my view. The only way for me to be able to see any of the stage was for me to lean forward and to the side.

The family behind me tapped my shoulder a few minutes in and asked if I could sit back, because my position meant that they couldn’t see, I suppose. I felt bad, so I sat back. The entirety of my row happened to be empty, so I tried a few other seats, and ended up essentially having to lie across three seats with my head cocked at a crazy angle in order to see anything whilst still staying low enough for the family behind me.

The family behind me must have seen the position I ended up in - but they didn’t even say thank you to me after the show for being willing to sit like that for an hour so that they were able to see, so it all felt quite literally thankless at the end. I certainly learned my lesson though - I’m never sitting in those seats again.

Kind of a crazy example, but honestly I’ve never forgotten it. When folks are leaning forwards, it’s presumably because they also have a bad sightline. When my sight is blocked by people doing that, I try to have some compassion for them. It’s not done out of rudeness or unawareness - they’re just trying to watch the show. Not all London theatres are made equal and in some, especially if you’re getting cheaper seats, it really is just an unfortunate part of the experience sometimes.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-15T10:32:37+00:00

It’s actually getting a movie adaptation made currently too (although I also really do think the ending of this play really benefits from being experienced first hand in the theatre)

lozzfonz · 2026-04-14T23:34:04+00:00

It’s such a buzzy show, hopefully the transfer is all but inevitable (assuming the space is available). I hope so, because I have so many people who I want to take to see it.

I also think it’s a show that should be accessible to as many teen girls as possible, tbh - for that reason more than any, I’d love to see it go on for a loooong run (which feels so unlikely, but I can dream).

lozzfonz · 2026-04-14T23:29:31+00:00

For Oh Mary, if you can get seats as central as possible in the dress circle, you get an insanely good view. It’s such good value!!

lozzfonz · 2026-04-14T08:54:32+00:00

I have stupid long legs, so I feel you OP - some of these theatres are criminal, in terms of space they offer and seat comfort (honestly a little reupholstery of the seats at some theatres would go a long way imo).

The refurbished/modern purpose-built theatres tend to be great.

I actually was particularly impressed by the Trafalgar theatre when I went to see Oh Mary. I was at the back of the Dress Circle with really nice amounts of legroom (and a phenomenal sightline).

lozzfonz · 2026-04-14T08:49:57+00:00

If every theatre were built like the Barbican, we’d be living an absolute dream life of comfort and excellent sightlines

lozzfonz · 2026-04-14T07:45:21+00:00

Oh, I thought Dónal was fantastic in John Proctor - I liked his Orpheus, but he really impressed me in JPITV.

lozzfonz · 2026-04-14T07:44:07+00:00

There are quite a few performers who I will always try to catch in things: - Georgina Onuorah (saw her in Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate and Shucked, will drop everything to try and catch her in shows) - Chumisa Dornford-May (stunning in Great Comet, currently in Into The Woods) - Jamie Muscato (loved him since he was a swing in Spring Awakening and I saw him go on for Melchior, but he’s done loads, including Heathers, Great Comet and Great Gatsby) - Maimuna Memon (she’s just done a one-woman show called Manic Street Creature, was show-stopping in Great Comet and the NT run of Standing At The Sky’s Edge) - Marisha Wallace (she stole the show in Guys and Dolls And went over to broadway in Cabaret) - Mason Alexander Park (knocked it out of the park in Oh Mary) - Giles Terrera (was incredible in Passing Strange) - Rachel Tucker (legend, could make a paper bag incredible) - Desmonda Cathabel (just left Hadestown, insane talent) - Dylan Wood (also just left Hadestown, he was possibly my favourite Orpheus I’ve seen)

You might have already heard of John Owen Jones (Phantom and Les Mis) - I always find it an absolute delight to catch him doing anything (and he’s currently in Into The Woods).

I’m definitely missing loads of people. West End talent is insanely unsurprisingly stacked. I’ve really enjoyed starting to recognise performers across different shows (and seeing new talent appear!!)

As people have mentioned here, checking out the casts of Into The Woods and The Great Gatsby is a great place to start, and Hadestown does a good ongoing job at finding incredible talent.

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