Showbiz is a tough world – even if you are a superhero.

A stage musical about Spider-Man has finally opened on Broadway tomixed reviews.

Critics praised the cast but blastedother aspects of the production, which had been delayed six times because of technical problems and injuries.

The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney summed up the mood when he called Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark a "clunky reworking".

Ben Brantley from the New York Times said that the show had gone "fromjaw-dropping badness to mere mediocrity".

The score, by U2's Bono and the Edge, also got a panning. Entertainment Weekly said the show's numbers were "a mostlylacklustre collection of forgettable tunes".

The Foxwoods Theatre, New York, where the Spider-Man musical is showing

Despite the poor reception, the musical might still be a hit. Tickets are selling out and lots of celebrities went to the opening night, including Bill Clinton, the rapper Jay-Z and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Over in the West End, anotherstage adaptation of a Hollywood movie has had a more positive reception. Shrek the Musical opened on Tuesday evening.

Writing in the Guardian, Michael Billington said the show was "genuinelytheatrical," although he was disappointed with the score. He also praised the performances, in particular that of Nigel Harman, whom he said stole the show as the evil Farquaad