I must admit, my flu-ridden heart leapt when I heard that this week, all the Nancies would be singing songs from musical theatre that proved they had leading lady potential — although I do wish that didn’t have to be a one week only deal. Shouldn’t musical theatre be the core of this show?
Anyway, even with the extra proviso of the songs being from musicals or films, the result was a much improved selection of songs for the most part, producing the strongest week yet in the quest to find a new West End leading lady.
Kicking things off with a combination of Small Measures/It’s a Fine Life, this was an opportunity to see how each of the ten girls would play Nancy. Here, I think Jessie portrays a great, ‘traditional’ Nancy as burly, buxom wench, Keisha was rather lacklustre in the dance line-up, while Sarah looked like a beautiful porcelain doll that was dressing down for the evening. Vocally, though, they all seemed much better.
Andrew prefaces the solo performances with an appeal to the audience not to vote on regional lines, as the wrong actresses ended up in the bottom two last week. Hmmm. Is this a veiled hint at who he thought should have gone? Let’s see — who was plugged last week by Graham as “Welsh Nancy”, and produced one of the weakest performances last week but escaped the sing-off?
Anyway, straight after Andrew advises against voting on regional lines, the first two Nancies get introduced — as “Belfast’s Rachel and Cardiff’s Sarah”, hence accentuating their regional backgrounds. Talk about mixed messages. More exciting, though, each girl seems to be going out and talking to experienced performers — Rachel goes to the Prince Edward theatre to visit one of the stars of Jersey Boys, while Sarah gets tips on gaining a rougher edge from burlesque star Immodesty Blaize.
And when it comes to Rachel’s performance, the promise of numbers form musicals already begins to stretch, as she is given Oh What A Night, which is used in the catalogue musical Jersey Boys but was never conceived, and in the show is not performed, as a musical theatre number. She does her best with it, giving a good vocal performance, but there’s no room in the song for her to show an acting side. Mind you, after her overacting in last week’s Beautiful maybe that’s a blessing. Denise thought it was fantastic, while Barry compares her to Georgia Brown. John says she’s constistent and strong, and a definite contender. Andrew thinks she was terrific.
Next up Sarah has a proper MT number to deliver, Maybe This Time from Cabaret. It’s probably her best performance to date, controlled and passionate. The build-up to the final belting chorus is perfectly judged, and she manages to retain the sense of control right up until the end. Denise, however still sees Country Life Nancy rather than East End Nancy. Barry compliments her voice, but visually she’s not there yet. “I don’t know what they’re looking at,” says John — and then suggests she dyes her hair. Andrew doesn’t know where she got that performance from, but thinks Kander and Ebb would be proud.
The next pair of singers are both sing-off survivors, but again the songs’ connection to musical theatre is tenuous. Francesca is given I’ve Had the Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing (yes, I know it’s a musical now, but the song isn’t an MT number in origin). It starts off well, until the key change and the belting final chorus, at which point the concept of tuning flies out the window. Oh dear. It doesn’t bode well when the temptation is to turn the volume down and just watch the dancers (whose choreography is much improved from last week’s, I have to say). Denise compliments the rawness and roughness of her performance, while Barry thinks it’s the best she’s been so far — but would like to see more emotion. John thought it superb, but Andrew notes the pitching problem that she has.
Keisha has The Lady is a Tramp, which admittedly is a Rodgers and Hart number (from the 1937 musical Babes in Arms), but her whole delivery is based upon the Frank Sinatra cabaret version. She does a good job, but I really don’t feel any warmth from her performances. It’s by far the most ‘jazz hands’ performance of the evening. Denise felt she toned it down a bit from last week. Barry felt it was a ‘showbiz’ performance, and John thought it was performed on a cruise ship. Andrew feels those comments are a bit unfair, as that’s what the song demands.
After a VT of the Olivers doing some fitness training at Tottenham Hotspur FC, Andrew and Cameron select their third Oliver finalist in the form of Arthur. And the whole group’s performance of Teamwork from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of the best the young boys have given this series, with every boy giving a strong performance. There are still a couple of boys who seem to be trying a little too hard (Joseph and Jordan, for example), while Kwayedza is head and shoulders above the other boys in stature, if not in performance (although he’s not far off).
Back to the Nancies, and Ashley sings the Abba song The Winner Takes It All by virtue of it being in Mamma Mia!. I have more sympathy with thi snumber being included, since Abba’s songs are so strong on the narrative front. And Ashley does a great job of it — completely engaging with the camera and the audience at home, without losing contact with the audience in the studio. John admires the simplicity of her rendition. Barry thinks she’s a contender for Nancy at last. Denise thinks it was beautiful and real — but Andrew worries that audiences would get bored of her voice.
Jodie is given Send in the Clowns. And what a beautiful rendition it is. She makes it seem so effortless, which is really hard work with Sondheim. It’s the perfect song for her to prove that she is more than a cabaret singer, which she does with ease. John is speechless. Hurrah! Unfortunately Barry isn’t (although he has been better this week). He thinks Jodie has the poignancy needed for the role, while Denise thinks she’s West End and Broadway potential. Andrew thinks it was wonderful.
Next up, Niamh performs Moon River as a beautiful lullaby. Gentle, warm and quite, quite charming. Denise compliments her, and admires her fragility. That would be the same fragility she expressed concerns about last week, would it? John thinks she could redefine the role of Nancy, while Barry thinks she has a hypnotic quality. Andrew loved it too.
Jessie has one of the biggest musical numbers of the night, with One Night Only from Dreamgirls. Starting out as a contemplative number, it soon bursts out into a loud, exuberant number — and she copes with both with aplomb. Aplomb, and an annoyingly curled top lip. I do wish she’d stop doing that. Denise thinks it was the performance of the night, while John thinks it was flawless. Barry thinks she shows a bruised but brave and strong quality. Andrew thinks she’d be capable of eight shows a week.
After two weeks of poor performances, Tara really has to work hard this week. Unfortunately, she’s given Let’s Hear it For the Boy, qualifying tonight by it being in Footloose. No avenue for dramatic performance, so we’re left with a performance that’s more suitable for The X Factor. And it’s an okay performance, up until the final line, where she messes up again. John doubts she could handle eight shows a week, if she cracks on a song that’s comfortable for her range. Barry didn’t see the pain and depth — Tara answers back (poor dear, has she learnt nothing?) saying that the song didn’t give her the opportunity (which is true) and that she’s not making excuses, but she had bronchitis. Which is making an excuse, really, isn’t it? Denise thinks it was Tara’s best performance so far — but she still squeaks on her top notes. Andrew says that if she is here next week, they’ll have to find her a song which really tests her.
Samantha ends the solo performances with Somewhere from West Side Story. A shaky start gives way to a powerhouse ending, although personally I’d have preferred is she’d dialled back just a little and concentrated on getting a nicer, rounder sound to her voice. John thinks she was too nervous, but still deserves to be in the competition. Barry can see Samantha as a surrogate mother to Oliver and the rest of Fagin’s boys. To which my only response is a vague, Ewww. Denise didn’t see the emotion from Samantha. Andrew sticks up for her, though.
At the end of the live show, my vote this week went to Sarah, while my top for leaving was, once again, Tara. One of these weeks I’ll be right…
On to Sunday’s results show, and we kick off with another rendition of Small Measures/It’s A Fine Life. Then, after a quick recap of the live show, it’s off to the West End and Hairspray, to meet former Any Dream Will Do finalist Ben James-Ellis. Their task — to perform a scene as Tracy Turnblad, and perform a kiss with Ben’s character Link Larkin — in front of their dads. Jessie’s lack of acting experience let her down again, getting flustered and forgetting her lines, but all the others seemed to cope fairly well.
Another group number, in the form of Good Morning Baltimore from the same musical, was a great performance from all of the girls, although Samantha was particularly good. And how does Tara manage to get to the front of the group every single time?
The Olivers’ next group number, A Whole New World from the Disney movie Aladdin, demonstrated, I think, that Arthur is the most accomplished of the three boys who have so far been selected for the final. That’s not to say Chester and Gwion are bad, far from it, but Arthur has an immensely likeable quality to his performance.
BUt the main event is the sing off. The judges predict Tara (John and Barry) and Keisha (Denise) as not being Nancy — and the public votes agree. The deciding song this week is Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which has a deceptively large range, something that Tara normally struggles with. To be honest, I preferred Tara’s vocal rendition in the sing-off, much as it pains me to say it. But it’s Andrew’s decision that counts, and he saves Keisha, sending Tara home. And in her departing song, she does the usual Tara thing — delivering a good performance until the closing line, where her pitching lets her down.
And so ends the best pair of shows in the series so far. Here’s hoping that the dominance of musical theatre songs isn’t a one-off, as it really lifts the performances of all the actresses.
This is from last night -
Rachel – still not getting her – sounded shouty to me.
Sarah – Having hated her the first week she is getting better and better. A definite contender.
Francesca –Tuning issues, again and again. Thought I was watching a different show to the judges – and then ALW said exactly what I was thinking. Thank you Oh Noble Lord!!!
Keisha – Really pulled it back after last week. Really good. They tell them to act the songs and then complain if the song they have been given requires them to act in a way that is not Nancy – with ALW here again.
Ashley - A big improvement – Very good this week.
Jodie - Hell – she had me crying!!! How did she do that??? Fantastic!!
Niamh – terrible start – but then very good.
Jessie – Good performance again A bit shouty in the chorus
Tara – useless – Singing and acting both poor. Not in the same league as the others.
Samantha – Lovely singing this week – but not seeing her as Nancy.
Sing off – Tara and Francesca – Going home – has to be Tara.
My money – Jodie closely followed by Sarah, but I would also hate to see Niamh or Jessie go.
BH – someone has indeed spoken to him. MUCH better. Only made me wince once.
Saturday night.
Here is the result from the Norwegian Jury:
Rachel: She’s better tonight than earlier. Song suits her voice.
Sarah: She’s got such a rich, lovely voice.
Francesca: Not a good song for her. A bit wobbly.
Keisha: A very strong performance. Wonderful.
Arthur was chosen this week. It’s impossible for us to say who should go on, because we’re not shown what they can do individually. I thought Kwayedza stood out.
Ashley: No.
Jodie: Even in an understated song, her rich voice shines through.
Niahm: Lovely voice, but,- no passion!
Jessie: Plenty of passion there!
Tara: Weak voice, almost anonymous, except when she was flat!
Samantha: One of the most beautiful songs from West Side Story, but was she good enough? I’m not sure.
From tonight’s performance I think TARA should go, as I’ve said the other two nights. She is a weak performer with a voice which cracks on the high notes. My favourites tonight were Jessie, Jodie and Sarah. All three are very different from each other, but their voices are so strong and vibrant, and we can see the actresses coming through.
Sunday night:
Well, well, well, our Ben has certainly grown up!
Oh dear,- I wish they would learn another word for bl***y “amazing”. Little Arthur used it 4 times in 35 seconds!
Thank heavens ALW saved Keisha. Ironically I thought Tara delivered her best performance in that sing off. It was a fair choice.
Saturday.
My favourite for Nancy is till Jodie. She seems to be the best in the group songs, which as they are actually from Oliver seem to be the best indication at the moment. Jessie I like too, but she hasn't quite got it yet. And WHAT did they make her wear for her song. Most of the other dresses looked OK(ish), but Jessie's seemed to be a cross between a nightie and a petticoat/slip.
Again, Olivers??? It's just me I know, but they all look the same.
Results show-Tara and K in sing off, right 2 (although I could add a couple of others). I haven't yet seen K act a song and this is no different. Tara does act the song, K voice is better. Do I really care which of these go this week? No, as the other will go very soon.
So K goes, but ALW said that he had to look at connection with the material, was he meaning K?
So Tara has gone, and about time too! In fact thought she was better in the sing off, didn't like her main song at all. So felt quite sorry for her until she hit that duff note in As Long As He Needs Me, then I thought thank goodness she's gone!
Of the others Keisha was my other pick for the sing off. Don't get her at all I'm afraid. Jodie was great, and thought Ashley was too this week. Jessie gave a cracking performance, but her mouth annoys me too! I am worried about her acting as she seems to fail every time. Maybe that is why she failed to get into two drama schools? Quite agree her dress was awful, they are getting better though! I still like Francesca but she does pull her hair around too much and agree her tuning left a lot to be desired. I like Niamh but not sure about her for Nancy. Liked Samantha a bit better this week as well. Rachel and Sarah don't do it for me yet, but don't dislike them and may change my mind!
BH was much better this week, still not brilliant, but far more constructive, and not quite so creepy.
All in all I agree much stronger episode this week, let's hope it continues!
I agree this weeks shows were the best so far.
I still like Jessie, but must admit worry that her acting ability is not good enough.
I can see why Jodie is popular, but still just can't take to her.
Ashley, surprised me a real improvement, I was quite moved.
Hope Sara doesn't take up JB's suggestion.
On the whole I'm liking the series much more than I thought I would.
Tara was a bit of a disappointment. I thought her performance in the first live show, when she song" Suddenly I See" was very good, but she failed when she had to perform songs chosen for her. Oh well, back to her career in Welsh Language Television.
I was annoyed that some of the Nancys were told to sing pop songs that have appeared in recent West End shows. I would have preferred it if they had all sung proper show tunes from musicals that were written for the stage. I agree that "The Winner Takes It All" was the only pop-song that works as a show-tune because of the theatricality of all of ABBA songs.
Really liked Ashley this week, she is coming on in leaps and bounds and I think she has improved the most since the beginning. Really liked Jodie looking forward to see if both of them can build on superb performances this week because if not they are both on thin ice. Jessie appears to have reverted back to the Bambi posture look. I am not liking Samantha or Niamh as Nancy and think they need to improve a lot.Keisha needs a break, hopefully she will get less of a Shirley Bassey esq song next week or its curtains. Fran, not as good as last week but there is something about her. Rachel I cant see what all the fuss is about but she is enjoyable to watch. Sarah would have again been the star of the show had it not been for Ashley and Jodie. Thank goodness Tara is gone. I felt the same as Pauline2 actually.. just beginning to think she might have it and boof.. ears bleeding. Heres hoping we can start getting a competition now as the worst has gone. Just my 2c worth.
Much better show this week.
Jodie just shines through with her fantastic performance and she seems more "real" than the others.
Rachel is consistent.
Sarah has a wonderful voice but doesn't look quite right physically for Nancy - the boys may be taller than her.
Niamh and Jessie are going to be successful but don't think either is ready for Nancy yet.
Samantha seemed to have a slightly hard quality to her voice in what is a very difficult song.
The Oliver's song in the main show was the best they have done.
Thank goodness Tara has finally gone, she should have been out last week instead of Cleo.
It was great to see Ben again - he is so good as Link Larkin in Hairspray.
Shame that Jessie keeps failing the acting tests as I really like her and she has a rawness. But if she cant get to grips with the acting then she's not going to be believable and also her accent is very pronounced and comes through in the songs - awful.(I so want her to do well but perhaps she'll get a part more suited to her). I think I can see why the drama schools turned her down. Jodie is very likable but she's not vulnerable, she's far to sure of herself - when Bill Sykes knocks her about about you can see her giving him a left hook and knocking him out cold (she's too big physically). Can she play fearful and vulnerable without bursting out laughing? Niamh has really strange looks more like a pop star and I haven't warmed to her yet. Franchesca and Sarah are too polished and Franchesca keeps crying (cant be doing with another Lewis)but maybe they are possibles with some work. That leaves Ashley, Sam, Keisha, Rachel - cant say I'm that enthused about any of them yet (Keisha will be going next I think as not getting the votes) but maybe someone will step it up. I've just booked for March so I hope I dont regret it!
BH was better last night, he's obvoiusly been given a talking too. Hardly any cringe making remarks but he's not got a lot constructive to say and the panel is crying out for a proper voice coach. JB still seems tetchy - think he's burning the candle at both ends
I wish someone would take a pair of scissors to Barry Humphries comb-over - it makes me cringe. At least his comments this week were mostly about the girls singing and not just their looks.
As in Maria, they keep telling us how important acting is in the role & then only letting us see snippets of the acting challenges - how are we meant to judge, then ? I'd like to see them perform whole scenes from musicals - acting + song.
Great to have lots of good MT songs - bring on more. Though I thought Tara should have gone, she did have a rubbish song.
I thought it was a nasty trick on Keisha announcing she was in the sing-off at the start of the results.
Does anyone know ... Now the results show is no longer live, do they film it as live or do they have breaks to set things up ?
The results show is filmed on Saturday evening with the same audience as the 'live' Saturday show. The audience have a pretty long evening of it. If I have understood correctly from audience members I have spoken to, they start the show about 4pm and finish about midnight. My sources take seriously the admonition not to spoil the results show though and won't do more than hint as to who has been knocked out.
I agreed with the sing off this week. Tara should have gone. She should have gone in the first week. I did feel sorry for Keisha when her name was announced first as she clearly thought that she was safe. That was cruel but I did think she deserved to be in the sing off.
My favourites this week were Sarah, Jodie and Samantha. Possibly they had the best songs. I had my back to the television during the first group song and thought Sarah had a very strong voice. I turned round to find out who it was. I'm not a fan of Jodie usually but she did very well this week. I seem to like Samantha every week so perhaps she is shaping up to be my favourite.
Rachel is very good but reminds me of Stacey from Eastenders. I think it is the hair and the fact that she is always dressed in something tiny that looks like it has come from a market stall. I suppose they are looking for an Eastender!
Jesse will really need to work on her accent to stand a chance in the final.
BH much improved on previous weeks.
I seem to agree with pretty much everything you say about this week's show, and also thought Sarah was fantastic.
However, I think you are being a little harsh about Rachel - I think she has been consistently strong, and given her acting ability, I think she is probably still the most ready to play the role...
I think the quality of this series is the best yet though - I reckon there are 5 people capable of playing the role (see my blog to see who!)...
I pretty much agree with what you said Scott!
Glad Tara has gone, not before time, although I too thought she sang better than Keisha last night.
I liked Sarah, Jodie and Niamh. Rachel is over-rated imo. Francesca keeps playing with her hair and Jessie fiddles with her dress and this annoys me intensely. I think nerves got the better of Samantha, and Ashley sang well but I don't think she moves well on stage, a bit awkward.
Next week I predict Keisha or Francesca to go based on their performances so far.
I think Ashley's performance was absolutely magical... I was in bits! She has the raw talent and beautiful voice (not boring... what are you on about ALW?) and the fact that she has taken on board what the judges have said and improved her performances means that she can take on direction - which is exactly what a professional needs.