I was hoping to go and see the new Steven Spielberg version of West Side Story at the cinema, but rather like the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caracticus, it passed by and I never got to see it.

Being a big, hairy biker (actually, I’m not hairy), you wouldn’t expect me to be a big fan of that particular stage and film genre: the musical.

And I’m not.

But then, because of my keenness to see the Spielberg’s version of Tony and Maria, I got to wondering whether, actually, I am.

Because, I have realised that I do like some musicals.

Not all of them, but yes, some of them.

I never particular enjoyed Starlight Express… possibly the first stage musical I ever saw, back in the eighties.

Miss Saigon didn’t do a great deal for me and I probably spent more time trying to figure out how they did the impressive stage lighting, than I did actually watching the show, when we went to see Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.  Blood Brothers was OK, I suppose, but it didn’t really engage me… I only went because my (blind) date was keen to see it.

And I’ve never had any desire to see Les Mis  (AKA The Glums) or The Jersey Boys or Hairspray or any of the musicals currently touring the West End.

But, when I saw Mel Brooks’ The Producers and Monty Python’s Spamalot, I thought they were both brilliant and I would happily watch them again.

Queen’s We Will Rock You was also very enjoyable – the storyline not so much, but the music, yes.  I’ve been a Queen fan since the eighties, so that probably explains that.

And when it comes to the silver screen, there are plenty that I like:  Calamity Jane (for some reason); Mary Poppins, South Pacific  and, of course, West Side Story… because every single song in there is a classic.

So, when I say I’m not a fan, actually, I am.

And I’m not.

Gee, Officer Krupke… go figure.

Well, that’s Musicals.

Next week: Ballet and how Chekov’s The Seagull ruined ruined that particular manifestation of the terpsichorean muse for me.