Wilma’s rating [rating=2]
Maybe I was the idiot at last nights performance of American Idiot but I didn’t understand a thing that was supposed to be happening during this show. Not a good start for a show really!
Wikipedia tells me the story is about “three disaffected young men, Johnny, Will, and Tunny. Johnny and Tunny flee a stifling suburban lifestyle and parental restrictions, while Will stays home to work out his relationship with his pregnant girlfriend. The former pair look for meaning in life and try out the freedom and excitement of the city. Tunny quickly gives up on life in the city, joins the military, and is shipped off to war. Johnny finds a part of himself that he grows to dislike, has a relationship and experiences lost love.”
Apparently that was the story. I didn’t understand that three different stories were being told on stage at the same time. If that had been clearer I may have grasped the concept a little better.
Green Days infectious music is loud, catchy rock that can’t be faulted. I loved the album American Idiot (which is the crux of the show) when it was released (and anyone who says I’m too old to be a Green Day fan will get a smack) and so I have been excited about seeing this show since it announced its UK tour. Having not seen anything but great reviews, I had no concerns that this would be an amazing show. Sadly, it wasn’t.
At one point, 5 girls in glittery dresses started dancing and I perked up, thinking for a moment I had been transported to the Piccadilly Theatre and was watching Viva Forever!
The three lead actors merged into one, none standing out as being any better than the others. I found myself watching the Musical Director a lot of the time but I’m assuming he wasn’t supposed to be the most interesting thing happening on stage!
I was left baffled, scratching my head, trying to understand what the story was but at least I was bopping away in the bar after because of the music!
The reviews for American Idiot have been amazing and so I realise mine is a little controversial. Sadly I think I was watching something completely different to everyone else!