A new musical subject..?

Topicality is a difficult one to pull off in any type of theatre. This is probably the reason why I didn't get grabbed by HAIR. (No puns about my high forehead, thanks). Kind of interesting from a historical viewpoint, but I felt that today it has lost a lot of its original relevance.
So why did I like MISS SAIGON, another story set during the Vietnam war? Somehow, the issues seemed more global, less to do with the specifics and politics of the time, and more to do with the characters and the human situation. (After all, it was more closely based on MME BUTTERFLY, a tragic romance)

But I don't think David ever actually mentioned "topicality". Political or social issues can still be addressed and remain relevant, either in the historical context or the more general way that the characters deal with eternal situations. And look at one of his topical examples...highschool shootings...almost 25 years ago the song "I Don't Like Mondays" by The Boomtown Rats showed that popular music can be created and endure around such a (perhaps-not-so-topical) social issue.


So - once again, let's relax the parameters (Eliot), apart from wanting to entertain the mainly drunk Australians in grotty theatre bars (Glynn).

Suggestions so far include:
Court's phallic tower on Barrack St (probably too topical/specific)
Films into musicals - Crouching Tiger, Traffic...etc (?)
A desire to see a serious social, political, moral, or intellectual issue.
high-school shootings
the Holocaust
the American civil rights struggle
non-orthodox sexuality
the concept of death
No love songs or romantic leads.
A desire to not be too deep and topical.
Something with meat.

Any other suggestions for a good musical, before we have to vote?


crg

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