Review of Magic Of The Musicals, The

Introduction

If you`ve just read my Jim Brickman At The Magic Kingdom: The Disney Songbook review, you`ll know that musicals are one of my least favourite things.

This one is a show that has been touring nationally and internationally which showcases some of the "best" songs from musicals through the ages. It stars Marti Webb, who you`ve probably heard of and seen on TV some time during the 1980s and Mark Rattray who you might not have heard of, unless you watched the last ever Opportunity Knocks, as he was the final winner.

Here`s what`s on the disc:-

One Night Only
Something`s Coming
Tonight
Losing My Mind
Not While I`m Around
Send In The Clowns
Do You Hear The People Sing
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
I Dreamed A Dream
The Heat Is On In Saigon
The Last Night Of The World
Bui-Doi
They`re Playing Our Song
I Hope I Get It
Our Singular Sensation
Mama
In One Of My Weaker Moments
Anthem
You And I
The Time Warp
That`ll Be The Day
Great Balls Of Fire
Tell Me It`s Not True
Leaning On A Lamp Post
Once You Lose Your Heart
Five Guys Named Moe
Early In The Morning
Is You Is Or Is You Ain`t My Baby
I Am What I Am

Video

A dreary, almost VHS looking, 1.33:1 transfer. Some people up on stage singing, an orchestra playing, no visuals, just some suspicious haircuts and dodgy looking suits. It has a very early 1990s look about it, and it hasn`t aged well. Some of the hideous outfits that Marti gets to wear just make you want to throw up.

Audio

A standard DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, which allows you to hear all the tedious and dreary songs. There is little bass, and it just sounds flat and uninteresting. There`s so much that has been done with music DVDs, so just a swift copy and paste from the VHS release is an insult to anyone who might consider buying it. As with that Di$ney DVD, a CD would suffice, and in this case it`s already been out on CD for years.

Features

No extras whatsoever (a good thing from my point of view, but annoying if you were considering buying it).

Conclusion

From the moment you start the DVD up, you can just sense this is going to be a cheese fest. The "Wienerworld presntation" intro feels rooted in the 1980s, despite this being an early 1990s presentation.

Even popular classics such as "The Time Warp" are just totally butchered, lacking life, soul, energy and passion. It`s no wonder Richard O`Brien had to resort to The Crystal Maze if this is what people do to his songs when he`s not around. And as for Great Balls Of Fire, everyone in the show should be arrested for what they did to the song. Must clean ears out now.

A horrible show presented on an incredibly average DVD. If you liked the show, you`ll already have the CD or VHS, and you should stick with them, as this DVD offers you nothing new. If you`re curious about musicals on DVD go and buy something else. I`m off to watch a decent music DVD in at attempt to erase this from my memory.