did the critics HATE Opening Night? | a roundup of reviews of the polarising new West End musical

[@mvwinf]

As a journalist, I second the comment that says stating Ivo van Hove’s nationality provides some explanation to an English-speaking audience of his non-English name. But also, we don’t typically have a paragraph of biographical information about a person unless it’s a profile, so we are often trained or encouraged to pepper those in when possible

[@lisafox9657]

The vacuuming! I saw it on the third night of previews and the opening sequence was a good 5 mins of someone vacuuming the set (within a set). Looking back, if I’d have known that the show would reach a 9.2 on the Richter scale of angst so quickly (and stay there until the closing jazz hands number), I’d have welcomed some calming vacuuming in the middle. Maybe they could have used the large screen to show some overhead footage of the vacuum making some pleasing lines in the carpet - that would have been therapeutic

[@PonytailRuth]

You have made my day as the comments are far more entertaining than the show itself. We missed out on the exciting sounding vacuuming session. Did you notice if it was an upright, cylinder or cordless model and was it a Dyson, Shark or another interesting model?

[@allisonbergh4429]

Groundhog Day is a musical adaptation of a film, done well. If it didn’t “shake up musical theatre”, very little will

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Excellent point!

[@JgmPaneque]

It's so frustrating when critics have those ridiculously outdated stereotypes about musicals engrained in their psyche and try to justify their favourable opinion about one by stating a variation of the dreadful "It's not like other musicals" idea in their review, as if it were not ok to like a musical and they regretted it somehow.

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

I literally said to Aeron post filming this one that it's the "I'm not like other girls" of musical theatre 😅

[@emhu2594]

It's a pick me musical😂

[@Papierrazzi]

I'm guessing that they mention he is Belgian because his name clearly isn't a British (or American) name, and by mentioning he's Belgian the question "what kind of a name is that?" is answered.

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

1 star from me, disconnected songs, jazz hands ending with no reason, a car crash of plot, some beautiful lyrics, a tech rehearsal as integral and then the final scene isn’t the tech rehearsal fully formed but a new scene unconnected and happy crappy smiles ending. 50% left, it definitely divided audiences and my friend and I left going “that was interesting “ and felt those 3 words were enough.

[@CharlotteAMcD]

I went to see this before any reviews just because I wanted to treat myself to theatre. I was so confused by it - the songs didn't appear to come from the same show and the opening and closing numbers just came from nowhere. It felt like it wanted to be Sunset Boulevard - not just with the story of a woman past her performance prime breaking down plus using a camera crew for no reason which to me was incredible in the most recent production. I left not knowing if reviewers would give it 1 star or 5. I certainly didn't gel with it and I am glad that I did not bring anyone with me as I don't know anyone who would have enjoyed it. Great actors just wasted - they literally had Hadley Fraser!! I don't know the original material but feel you should be able to go without knowing what it is based on.

[@EleaAndreaAlmazora]

The constant mention of "Belgian" makes me think people are making a weird connection between this director and Mr. Poirot 😂

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

The little grey cells 🧐

[@Rik77]

The positive reviews seemed to be from reviewers who liked and agree with teh idea that being middle aged is somehow tragic. But I would have thought that culture might have moved away from such an old fashioned perspective.

[@emhu2594]

Being middle aged feels pretty tragic to me. I should write a musical about it.

[@danielguest1079]

Just got back from seeing this tonight, still bewildered about what actually happened - particularly the ghost fight scene 😬

[@Lucillelf]

OMG! The coke can comment...I almost spit out my mouthful of sparkling water. 🤣🤣🤣

[@99lodewijk]

Ivo, I believe, has never premiered original work in the past 20+ years. He is an adaptor. He either adapts older plays (Kings of War, A View from the Bridge), older musucals (Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story), movies (Opening Night, The Damned, Network) or books (A Little Life, The Things that Pass). Usually with his frequent collaborator dramaturg Koen Tachelet. This, interestingly is the first time he works with original music as the only other time he originated a musical it was in collaboration with David Bowie and his discography. Just some interesting facts to add to how this show might be unstable from van Hove's past work.

[@matthewplampton955]

Thankfully the wonderfully charming and heart warming Two Strangers restored and bolstered my faith in new musicals after watching this disaster. I wanted to love this musical so much, as the cast are so talented. But my goodness it really is the worst west end show I've ever seen. It felt like an end of term stage school production where the students tried to be artsy and never got an outside opinion before staging it.

[@Nikki-tx6kh]

The critics mentioning Van Hoe is Belgian more than I mention my love for Italian music is funny.

[@puddingcat1498]

I was so fascinated by all the bad things I was reading about this show that I got cheap tickets and dragged a friend along last week. Which was perhaps the best way to see it, as my expectations were rock bottom. I thought it was, at the very least, not as bad as that. I did not connect with the story or characters, but I was certainly intrigued by what was happening. In a detached kind of way. Well, at least I can say to future generations that yes, I saw it! 😂

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

I always say that managed expectations are the key to enjoying yourself at the theatre!

[@JonW9999]

I actually quite enjoyed the first act, despite recognising all the flaws they have been addressed in reviews. Maybe because my expectations were so low. I did like the Magic song. The second act really tried my patience particularly with all the dead girl stuff which was so weird and intensely annoying. Then the final nail in the coffin was the curtain call in which a jazz hands number is dropped in for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Sheridan Smith really did the best she could with the material she was given. Having said this I’ve seen worse things Including highly acclaimed shows that I loathed (Jerusalem, Accidental Death of an Anarchist). As you say everyone will have different opinions.

[@jacintamaudhunter392]

I also quite enjoyed the first half! I think because the actors (particularly Sheridan and Amy) were doing such a good job at convincing me their characters weren't as terribly written/non-existent as they were. I was like, ooh, how's the wife gonna get involved? How is Myrtle gonna convince everyone that she's traumatised because she saw a girl literally die in front of her, not because she's getting older? Then the second half started and I was like, 'oh...'

[@skunkjo3195]

Loving ur hair and brows rn

[@XuiLeeEv]

I agree, highlighting that he's Belgian really would only make sense if he's got a significantly more established career in Belgium. It's like calling Arnold an Austrian actor in a movie review.

[@curiousbarney]

The coke can, wow! I love your channel, its awesome!

[@klaskebeinema3445]

And the closing date is announced. Quelle surprise.

[@CP-gk4ri]

As a French person, I feel like the Belgian thing makes sense as the theatre landscape is quite different than in the US and UK...

[@CP-gk4ri]

Musical theatre is really looked down in France (and I guess Belgium) as fluff entertainment while theatre has somehow to always be more serious. That disgust for the art form can explain a lot of the artsy criticism you seem to have for this show

[@maireandjohnstege2520]

Very interesting.

[@LiamCoxSuperstar]

Amazing video as always ❤

[@sunnymartinez331]

The Lord of the Rings musical is coming to the United States FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!!!!!!. The Newbury production from last year at Watermill Theatre is playing at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre from July 19-September 1, 2024

[@JC-gu3tj]

That was such a good show !

[@emhu2594]

Sheridan Smith's American accent is obnoxiously bad. Is she trying to do Brooklyn? LOL well that was a swing

[@palomafreitas3312]

Have you seen the movie? Is the movie also misogynistic and problematic or is it just this show?

[@BroadwayGuy]

I think people are tired of Von Hove's artistic gimmicks. I remember the original film of "OPENING NIGHT" as being very good or interesting, at least. But if people are falling asleep or walking out in large numbers, the problem is obviously the artistic/directorial approaches and choices. If I were in England, I'd avoid this show like the plague.

[@Rik77]

There's a slightly weird old school British thing about Belgium, as a symbol of something dull and boring. So one interpretation of reviewers referring to him as Belgian is that they are subtly saying, "he's European so this is art house, and its Belgian so a bit weir and dull". Its almost an off hand thrown away snark. I dont like it. That said, they'd probably say the same thing even if it was a good show.

[@PonytailRuth]

I gave my thoughts about this truly dreadful show on your other related brilliant video. I also thought Sheridan Smith should have done her countless costume changes off stage, rather than in front of the whole audience. The poor lady deserved some privacy/dignity and I felt embarrassed for her. To sum this woeful show up, I would award it a Z minus because YOU CAN'T POLISH A TURD!

[@amycarcaterra8177]

In my opinion, it should be required to release the weekly grosses, i'm guessing whoever is in charge is kinda weak. But it nice and neat that Broadway does weekly grosses.

[@danielrobinson7350]

Never really understood the ‘release the grosses’ thing. It’s not the same as something being good.

[@wildoranges]

That’s how you get the nonsense of US productions , both musicals and movies, being judged solely on grosses. That’s a bad thing.

[@annacalstone610]

I usually try and be positive but when I told a friend it was the closest I've ever come to leaving at the intermission, they knew it wasn't good. 2 people sat next to me did leave at the intermission. The first act I was lost, I didn't know what they were trying to achieve. It would've been more obvious if they'd performed the same scene with different lines to show that murtle was off script. The best songs are in act 2, but still not great songs and I must be the only person who had 100% stopped listening by the curtain call cause I had no idea what they were singing. Sheridan, Amy and Nichola in particular were wasted on this

[@christopherbutler1980]

I could say I now know what your worst show of the year will be ..but there might be something just around the corner that is even worse...let's hope not!

[@archiejenner3799]

What’s even worse

[@XuiLeeEv]

​@@archiejenner3799A second camera crew who are filming the first camera crew, also with a live feed on screen

[@archiejenner3799]

@@XuiLeeEv what do you mean

[@joeevans5770]

Adaptor as well as director that’s a red flag by the way had me howling

[@minirth.maggie]

You've vastly improved my day with this video! I love your review roundups so much! ❤

[@Rik77]

Its so annoying when there are so many wonderful musicals in small theatres that deserve more. Whilst, silly fun, I loved the musical of Zadie Smith's White Teeth which was in a North London theatre (The Kiln in Kilburn). It had a heart, fun songs and might have worked well outside of the local area. It had two separate runs due to its success, but unfortunately remained as a small local interst show. There are a lot of these around.

[@lemonfreshrob]

I am not at all surprised to find the Guardian reviews were positive. I like the paper but I generally find their theatre reviews a good barometer for the wrong reasons, in that I simply invert their star rating. When this was a four, I knew to me it'd be more like a one...

[@Mori-wy8my]

I know it‘s a footnote in this but to me as another central European, it‘s actually always interesting to hear when a major creative on shows of this scale is not British or American! It can be frustrating to always look over and see how much more alive the musical theatre scene is in London or New York (and the US/UK by extension) and hearing about some international creative collaboration gives the tiniest bit of hope we might get to participate in the action and maybe eventually create our own 😂 (and yes, i know that i am not the target audience for these publications and that van Hove is anything but new on the scene, but still)

[@arubinojr5670]

But being Belgian is clearly a sin one can't simply vacuum away.

[@LynnHermione]

This is the same Sheridan Smith who was a Doctor Who companion on big finish right? I am glad she is doing well, this thing aside

[@mastermalaprop]

She's quite well known on TV and theatre in the UK

[@LynnHermione]

@@mastermalaprop I didn't know that, I am latin american and UK shows rarely air here

[@juliethompson7717]

Very ageist and sexist play too...43 hardly old...and the cast were a mishmash. Sheridan one of the best things in it...also the bloke with facial hair good.

[@weltenunder]

watch the film.

[@mysticaldesign858]

Personally I don't mind the reviewers mentioning Van Hove's nationality, as it's the sort of detail that helps me remember names and provides additional insight into the creative's background and point of view. But it's worth mentioning that I'm an American, so the cultural context may read differently.

[@HelenRosemarySmith]

I think it would be quite common for reviewers to mention wherever the director is from. Especially as they are often looking for descriptions and other ways to refer to the person throughout the review.

[@louises2425]

I just watched the curtain call on YT and loved the song😂😂😂😂 dont think ill be seeing this one though!

[@totallyawesomecoco]

It may not matter that he's Belgian, but it would explain a lot 😅

[@isobelryan818]

It was a confusing, misogynistic sludge of a show. I feel sorry for all the cast.I hope they are being well paid. 1 Star

[@owenespejo6401]

Everyone in the States (well, here in the New York theatre world anyway) HATES the new European theatre critic for The Times.

[@Knuckleb0ne]

I think all the 'Belgian' stuff is the (sometimes subconscious, sometimes very overt) desire to 'other' someone for doing something weird. This is a strange musical, and it must be...the director and adaptor is foreign (to the writer). The implication is that their decisions can be chalked up to a different culture, or different artistic ideals. It's a little bit xenophobic, and a little bit of personal security if you don't like or understand something. After all, it's not your fault...it's the culture barrier! (cue eyeroll)

[@carriew5106]

I hate to say it, but since Brexit I've noticed that a person's nationality (when not British) has become a common defining feature. Especially when it can be used as an explanation for not liking something. It's depressing.

[@weltenunder]

very, very, true!

[@owenespejo6401]

You also forgot to mention the show got at least three more 4 Star reviews, The Observer, Daily Mail and CityAM. This was a much more critically applauded show than you are giving credit!

[@rosepetal34]

the daily mail is trash though

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

In far I read 2 unrated, 1 ☆, 2 ☆☆, 1 ☆☆☆, and 2 ☆☆☆☆ for the sake of balance. I also skipped MANY more low rated reviews 😉

[@owenespejo6401]

@@rosepetal34 I'm not sure how anyone's opinion about theatre can be counted as trash. It's arguable that the lies and right wing politics of the paper are, but a print opinion of theatre ought to be taken as seriously as any other, despite where it originates.

[@johnnynotty]

I guess at the end of the day is that your opinion is not gospel. It is simply your opinion, if you did not enjoy it like a play/musical you are not right or wrong, it is simply your opinion. I’ve seen a lot of 5 star reviews for this show in recent days. But I feel I would have the same opinion as you on this one.

[@bradleyh7582]

I'm begninning to think the NYTimes is just swiping your review

[@avraampavlidis2862]

Your hair is out of control 😂

[@shortcake66]

The hair is amazing