Why A Robbie Williams Musical Is A Terrible Idea
Published on Thursday 27th January, 10.40am, Written by Jonathan Dudley
The Sun newspaper, purveyors of low-reading-age news, celeb gossip, and pictures of under-dressed ladies, have reported that there is to be a Robbie Williams musical.
Oh goody.
According to The Sun’s story, auditions are being held for two Robbies and a source told the paper that “Robbie is bang up for the musical”.
A few years ago, the news rumour that Robbie Williams the bad boy of Take That and one-time darling of English pop music would be the subject of a new musical would have probably been met by a cacophony of screams loud enough to knock the earth off its axis. These days it seems that the reaction is something closer to a collective sigh of dismay, perhaps even boredom.
Robbie has been all over the media for pretty much 21 years. For the most part the British public have adoringly watched him celebrate the good times (Life Thru a Lens Intensive Care) and generously supported him through the bad times (Rudebox alleged Lucozade addiction). I think it’s fair to say that after Rudebox, people were not as interested in Robbie. The album was naff, his cheeky chappy charm had started to wear off and his erratic behaviour had stopped being endearing and had become rather dull.
Meanwhile, Take That were returning to the charts and were quickly re-embraced by both their original fans and a new generation of pop-lovers.
Sure, Robbie still has legions of fans, but his popularity is nowhere near the level he enjoyed during his time as a BRIT Award magnet in the late 90s and early noughties. For the first time in a long, long time, Take That are a bigger deal than Robbie Williams.
Perhaps sensing that the tide was turning, Robbie rejoined Take That in 2010 and quickly proceeded to remind the world why the boyband was better off without him.
Who remembers THAT performance on last year’s X Factor? The one where Robbie was inexplicably pushed as the star of Take That, his wild-eyed showboating laughable and his presence adding nothing to a line up which flourished without him. In fact, they did so well without him that Gary Barlow has already started hinting that Take That will return to a four-piece lineup before too long.
During a stint co-hosting alongside Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2, Barlow said: “I think even moving forward, I know were back with Rob right now, but we still see our future as a four-piece band. We see Take That as a four-piece band in general. When we came back in 2005 we had the conversation, “Can we do this as four?” Thanks to the fans who bought the records, we proved we can.”
So, Take That are better off without Robbie Williams, but is the West End? I think it’s fair to say yes, yes it is. The last thing we need is another jukebox musical clogging up a theatre, especially one charting the “wacky” life of Robbie Williams; I’d sooner see the proposed Jade Goody musical come to London.
It may be controversial to say, but (in my humble opinion) Robbie Williams is in real danger of becoming another washed up ex-popstar, a West End musical would do little to revitalise his career and his energy would probably be better spent planning for his inevitable return to solo performances.
No doubt there’ll be more than a few people who rather disagree with me about Mr Williams. If you’d like to see a Robbie musical in the West End, or would rather see Never Forget (the Take That jukebox musical) make a reappearance, let us know why in the comments box.
Take That a better deal than Robbie Williams?
Is it a joke??
Even Rudebox (a very good album anyway) was much more sold than The Circus, and do you know why?
Because out of UK, Take That are just….completely unknown!!
If Progress succeeds in conquering other European countries, it’s just because Robbie was back with them.
You are lucky enought in UK to have one of the more talented artist of this period, one of the biggest current singer and entertainer, so please, don’t bite the hand that feeds!!!
A musical about Robbie’s life? Why not.
The challenge is to find a actor/singer talented enough to play Robbie’s role.
Once again, Take That’s succeded their come back, but did they succed it if Robbie isn’t this huge worldstar he is and still is?
Who remember Take That, without the amazing and successfull Robbie’ solo career?
And, this is true to say Take That are unknown abroad: they are only robbie’s cradle, and nothing more.
Before Progress, most of european people didn’t know they were back.
Take That need Robbie to become an international well known band.
Are they good as a four-piece band? Yes they are.
But they’re much better as a five-piece band, Robbie gives them a higher level.
But you sem to be very very jealous of Robbie don’t you?
I’m sure Robbie still a great pop star: your article prove it. Only great and talented stars can cause such jealous and nasties reactions!