In this week’s print edition of The Stage, vocal coach and former judge Zoe Tyler’s exclusive column continues with a critique of the second programme in the BBC series I’d Do Anything.
In the show, we saw actress Francesca Jackson, who had previously appeared in Rent alongside judge Denise Van Outen, being sent home from Nancy School to recuperate from illness. She was later put through to the next stage, a concert performance at which the judges selected which twelve girls would be selected for the lives show which start on Saturday.
In the end, Francesca won through to the live shows — but that was the wrong decision, says Zoe:
…after 14 years in the West End spent going through the audition process, she knows the score and it was not on to put her through. Lots of actresses — including me — have dreaded many final recalls because of having the flu and knowing full well you can’t go to the audition and say: “I have a bad throat, but you really should put me through.”
In my experience, you just get that one chance and if you blow it, you blow it — that’s showbiz.
For the rest of Zoe’s exclusive column, buy this week’s Andrew Lloyd Webber-themed issue of The Stage, priced £1.30.
The question is would they have been so kind if it had been someone they didn't know. I remember Siobahn had similar problems in Maria & she wasn't selected. (Though of course she got in as first reserve).
I think several people have made that point; however, let's not kid ourselves this is similar to a normal audition! This is television and television needs a good story.....
At the end of the day, the judges had a decision to make and they made it.
They said themselves they would sort through everyone else first and if there was space for her and they thought she deserved it she would go through and if not, then she would be out.
It's difficult to comment because out of all the finalists, the person we saw the least in the audition process was Francesca, instead, they wasted time showing footage of her getting in and out of a taxi. So having not seen as much of Francesca as we did of the others, we can only assume that the judges have made a decision based on everything they saw. We didn't even see her on stage in the concert at the theatre except for the ensemble performance.
What a stupid thing for Zoe Tyler to say - she should know better - "In my experience, you just get that one chance and if you blow it, you blow it — that’s showbiz." No its not. I have been in many an audition process when, in the instance that a performer with good potential is not physically 100%, then they are simply allowed to audition at another time or put through to the next round so that the panel can see them at their best. It happens all the time. Also who is she quoting??? Francesca certainly didn't ask to be put through, but that is the impression the article gives.
Also it is clear that none of this situation was in Francesca's hands and she even said on the programme that when you are ill - you battle through - which she was doing, until she was SENT home by the current vocal coach. I'm suprised at Zoe Tyler. Bad article.
It's suspicious. Francesca is a friend of Denise - a judge from their time together in Rent.