In the Mamma Mia thread, Kitson declares that he (she?) doesn't like musicals, and David H responds that the aforementioned songfest is not really a musical strictu sensu.

Mr H is right (of course), and I also agree with Kitson in that I find MM unbearable. My problem is that all of these jukebox musicals fit into a category with opera singers singing pop (with full operatic power): they just don't fit together.

Some time ago, as a committed John Peel listener, I went to the National Theatre production of Guys and Dolls (what a cast: Bob Hoskins, Julia McKenzie, Julie Covington, Ian Charleson, Bill Paterson, David Healey, Imelda Staunton, Barry Rutter and Jim Carter). Despite my rockular sympathies, I loved it. Since then, I have enjoyed a range of others. The defining feature of these (proper) musicals (or even operas) is that the songs follow the story, even when they become as popular later as "La donna è mobile" or "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat". A jukebox musical cannot do this. By definition, the audience is likely to be familiar with all the songs before they enter the auditorium.

But the jukebox musical isn't just a concert of cover versions with a sketchy storyline. We are supposed to pretend that it is a real musical. In the same way, G4 singing "Creep" drags Radiohead's song into a place where we have to pretend that it is mild and comfortable. The two idioms just don't belong together.

So I am really going to struggle when Daughter No. 1 starts her school production of "We Will Rock You" next term. Damn. (At least she didn't get a lead role. Does that make me a bad parent?)