Jerry Springer The Opera (DVD)

...does look just like a Jerry Springer show and there are security guards which add to the effect and realism. The chorus play the audience and with the warm-up man they set the scene for Jerry's arrival on stage. Act I consists of a range of guests, including a man called Montel who likes to wear nappies (in fact he wants to be a baby) and a man who is seeing a "chick with a dick" (along with two other women). Jerry Springer is played by ...
...Jerry with the mannerisms down to a tee. In between guests, there are bizarre commercial breaks. The first act culminates with the Ku Klux Klan tap-dancing, and a shooting. Acts II and III just seem to get weirder and weirder with scenes of purgatory and hell. I won't say anymore about what happens in case you are going to watch it.

I had expected the language to be vulgar, but I had also expected to find it funny. I'm sure I must ... more

I was doing a spot of Christmas shopping in HMV, and as ever ended up buying something for myself rather than a present! The "Jerry Springer the opera" DVD grabbed my attention since it was only £3.99. When this was on at the theatre I heard some really good reviews about it, but since I don't live near London anymore I don't really get the chance to go to the theatre much so wasn't able to see it. I know that watching something on DVD can't ever begin to compare with the theatre, but I thought it would at least give me an idea of what I missed out on (or not)! I was also intrigued to watch a musical rated an "18" certificate.

I thought the start of the musical was promising, and the music tunes catchy. The set does look just like a Jerry Springer show and there are security guards which add to the effect and realism. The chorus play the audience and with the warm-up man they set the scene for Jerry's arrival on stage. Act I consists of a range of guests, including a man called Montel who likes to wear nappies (in fact he wants to be a baby) and a man who is seeing a "chick with a dick" (along with two other women). Jerry Springer is played by David Soul, and he does do a good impression of Jerry with the mannerisms down to a tee. In between guests, there are bizarre commercial breaks. The first act culminates with the Ku Klux Klan tap-dancing, and a shooting. Acts II and III just seem to get weirder and weirder with scenes of purgatory and hell. I won't say anymore about what happens in case you are going to watch it.

I had expected the language to be vulgar, but I had also expected to find it funny. I'm sure I must have been missing something. I haven't watched a great deal of Jerry Springer shows - seen one, seen them all. But this musical seems to have gone way over my head! I appreciate that lots of people do think it is a great musical, I can see how it will appeal to some humours, and I did laugh on some occasions (even at the man in the nappy!). The mega-mix at the end with whole cast dressed as Jerry is good, but maybe I was just relieved to get to the end!

To give credit to Richard Thomas who wrote the music, it is generally great music and enjoyable to listen to (if you ignore the lyrics which are by him and Stewart Lee)!) and I did find my feet tapping along! Even (I hate to admit) singing "Jerry Jerry" a couple of times! As ever with the West End the singing and talent of the actors and actresses is stunning.

Many people will have heard of "Jerry Springer the Opera" due to the controversy which surrounded it. When this show was on at the theatre there were numerous protests, especially by Christian religious groups namely one called Christian Voice (there is admittedly a great deal of religious content in the musical). In fact there is a warning that says "WARNING - This show may not be suitable for those with a limited knowledge of Judaeo-Christian Mythology" Incidentally, the DVD sales were banned in Sainsbury's and Woolworths. When the show was televised on BBC in 2005 the BBC received a record number of complaints. I can see why people are offended. However, I'm not easily offended……I just found it bizarre!

The DVD case attracted me as it is eye-catching with a flame on the cover, and it states the number of awards the musical won (so I assumed it must be good!). The actually musical lasts 120 minutes. Special features on the DVD include a commentary by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas, a featurette about how to write an opera about Jerry Springer (which is actually quite interesting), the story of a musical documentary, the history of making the show, and some music scores.

I am a huge fan of musicals and was disappointed. However, for £3.99 I can't really complain. Perhaps I will try watching it again in a year or two, see if my opinions have changed, or perhaps I will try watching it after a few drinks. I hope that anyone else who watches it enjoys it more than I did. Me…..I'll stick with Lloyd Webber!
 

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