Update: This week’s performance videos are now available (the player will launch in a separate window).
After last week’s successful musical theatre-themed show, unfortunately this week the naff pop songs returned with a vengeance. As usual one or two songs had the potential for acting interpretation, but they were in the minority. With the theme this week being songs by divas who had rocked the Las Vegas circuit, pretty much the only MT song this week was the show opener, a roustabout version of Consider Yourself from all the Olivers and the remaining Nancies.
Kicking off the solo proceedings, Jodie sang Nine to Five. After last week’s showstopping rendition of Send in the Clowns, this risked a return to the cabaret style Jodie is more used to. A very word-heavy song, she managed to get the portray the emotion of the song without ever sacrifing either diction or pitch. If only all the other Nancies could say the same.
Samantha was next up, singing the Christina Aguilera song Hurt which I must profess to not knowing too well. There were plenty of vocal embellishments required, though, which seemed to cause Sam some difficulty in keeping in key. After working on portraying the emotion behind the song, she seemed to lose control in her voice. The judges in the studio liked it much better than previous weeks. Barry noted that the emotion worked both in close-up and as something that could be packed up in the back of a theatre. Which, I think, is one of the first times he’s actually given a perspicacious comment. Will wonders never cease?
The third Nancy to sing was Ashley, scuppered with Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody. A song with very limited acting range — as Andrew said, thematically it runs from A to A — it ought to at least showcase a musical theatre actress’s ability to dance. Whereas with Ashley, it merely showcased her ability to stand knock-kneed while flailing her arms around. Unlike Andrew last week and this, I don’t think her voice is uninteresting, but she just doesn’t have the presence on stage that a leading lady requires.
Niamh had to deliver the Better Midler classic Wind Beneath My Wings — a big torch song that’s really better for someone with a good couple of decades of experience under their belts. That she not only managed it, but produced a highly accomplished rendition, is to her credit. It would possibly have been improved with some more self-confidence, but it was lovely to watch.
A short break for the Olivers’ VT package, and the news that Kwayedza is to join Gwion, Chester and Arthur in the semi-finals. Their musical number, I Whistle a Happy Tune from The King and I, wasn’t up to the standards of last wek’s Teamwork. Perhaps it had something to do with requiring the boys to sing in pairs, which made each of the boys stand out less.
Back to the solo performances, and Keisha had to endure singing My Heart Will Go On, the godawful Celine Dion track that just makes me want to drown people. At the key change, where the voice needs to open out if there’s any hope of salvaging the number, Keisha did her best. Unfortunately, I don’t think that she has the quality in her voice to be able to stop that song from sounding like turgid nonsense.
Jessie’s rendition of Why Do Fools Fall In Love? was exactly the sort of bright, poppy performance the song requires. But we know she can do bright, poppy numbers — there was nothing here to demonstrate why she deserves a West End leading role. Her posture, which has been criticised in the past, has improved but is still only of Ashley’s same standards.
Next up, a less blonde Sarah delivered a belting performance of Midnight Train to Georgia that ticked all the boxes for me. A solid and emotive rendition that brought out the strengths of the song, it was one of my favourite performances of the evening.
On to Francesca, who was given What’s Love Got To Do With It?, a song which has the same sort of belting notes with which she has previously had pitching problems.And I do think she fared better this week than she has done in the last few shows. At leats, until the very last line, where to punctuate the abrupt ending of the song she resorted to shouting and lost her pitch completely.
Bringing up the rear of the solo spots this week, Rachel made a valiant attempt at The Way We Were. Again, though, while the judges love her theatrical performance, for me it always appears far too overblown. Maybe it’s the same thing we’ve seen in previous weeks and previous years — where a trained stage actress doesn’t pull back enough for the performance to also work on television.
This week’s TV Today 25p went to Sarah again. For me, the most disappointing performance of the evening came courtesy of Ashley, at leats in terms of sung solo spots. The most ill-conceived idea, though, was thinking that Andrew Lloyd Webber could contribute effectively down a satellite link from Las Vegas. The disjointed nature of his contributions really destroyed any sense of atmosphere — and the Vegas theme chosen for all the girls as a result of his jet-setting didn’t work, either. Hopefully, next week’s show will be back to normal.
Saturday show
Jodie-Liked it. Thought the word spacing was rushed in 2 places.
Samantha-Sorry, shouting is not emotion.
Ashley-What do you call that Japanese originated thing they do in pubs where strange people sing to backing tracks?
Niamh-I liked it, but is she Nancy?
Keisha-Not so hot on the quiet bits.
Jessie-My fav so far, animated delivery.
Sarah-Growling is not showing emotion either, unless you are a canine. (DVO you’re easily pleased, mmmm does that mean anything else)
Fran-(Note to make up person, tone down cheek blusher) Good performance.
Rachel-(I hate this song) Good performance.
Who was my favourite? Can’t choose so my choice, in no particular order; Jodie, Niamh, Jessie, Fran.
Results show
I want Jodie’s dress and collar from Viva Los Vegas. Not the song for Niamh, Jodie did well, Jessie not so good, Fran good, Ashley not enough push for the opening, Sarah did well it suited her. Others did not stand out as good or bad.
I’ll be there-Olivers, who thought this would be good song for them? Lead boy did good.
Fran and Ashley in the sing off. I think it should have been Keisha and Ashley. Ashley started Whistle down the wind poorly. Fran seemed to give it more feeling with more depth in her voice. Ashley seems to do some odd arm flapping to indicate emotion. ALW saves Ashley, mad, mad. It’s Daniel all over again.
Saturday night.
Here is the result from the Norwegian Jury:
Jodie: Again a great performance, great voice. Wrong dress for her shape.
Samantha: Good performance, but still not convinced by her voice.
Ashley: Bad dancing, voice better, but ordinary.
Niahm: Great voice, but not Nancy. One swipe from Bill Sykes would take her out!
My favourite Kwayedza went through today. Good boy. I think he is lovely.
Keisha: That was so beautiful. I have liked her all along and hope she’ll stay.
Jessie: I don’t like the song, but she pulled it off in spades.
Sarah: She’s great. That song had a build up like NY NY, and she did it!
Francesca: Too dramatic. Voice better than last week.
Rachel: For the first time I understand what the panel has been on about. Her best performance.
The best performance tonight was Sarah. She gave me goose bumps. Jodie is consistently good. I wish they had given Jessie a better song.
I think Ashley was the weakest tonight.
Sunday night
Wasn’t Kwayedza great in “I’ll be there “?
Ashley and Francesca in the sing off. I’m pleased Keisha will go on for another week. Yes, I paid my 50p when I voted for her. I think she is too good to be sent home yet.
I’m sure ALW will send Ashley home.
Well, I’ll be blowed. Seeing ALW’s face last night when Ashley sang, I thought he will send her on her way, but I was wrong. He saved her.
Jodie
Not the best song choice for her as we've seen this song been covered many a time on tv shows like the x factor and fame academy etc. It didnt verge on Cabaret as much as I thought it would. I actually struggled to hear the lyrics in this song, inspite of Denise saying her diction was good. (Maybe that was just me) Overall not a memorable performance in the show.
Samantha
To me this performance was her best so far. John's acting tips must have worked because this time there seemed to be real emotion in her eyes. I have to agree with previous comments on her acting skills, in that she never really acted but smiled and left her eyes blank. I'm guessing this is down to lack of experience. But a great improvement this week; I think she is a real 'contender' now...as the panel would put it.
Ashley
Boring song and boring performance. She needs movement classes, because seemed to stroll around the stage haphazardly.
Well I can't say I'm not pleased Francesa has gone - I didn't like her I'm afraid. Mind you I don't think Ashley was particularly good either!
Jodi still my favourite (but then I'm biased - I'm a Blackpool lass too!)
Well what a surprise!
After his contemptuous comments to Ashley after her song, ALW saved her.
JB had made very pointed remarks earlier, wondering why, if Ashley's voice was so bad, she'd reached the last twelve.
Did that influence ALW?
On the whole I am in agreement about most of the performances, the only thing is I think Sarah while having a great voice and really did give a belting performance just isn't Nancy for me. She just looks like a sweet middle class, well fed lass. This isn't meant to be rude about her, but I really think Nancy should be a bit rough around the edges. I've always quite liked Francesca for this reason as I think she had a bit of that quality. Never thought she would win though. I've read someone say somewhere she was like Marmite, you love it or hate it. Very apt I thought. Whatever I think it was a travesty she went this week as Ashley left me cold. Frans' rendition of As Long As He Needs Me was one of the best things so far for me. Hey ho on we go!
Saturday - Although I do like the show as a show it doesn't have any excitment as did the Maria and Joseph searches. Waiting till Sunday for the results does take away something as it completely destroys the momentum as does interspersing the Olivers. It breaks the Nancy train of thought and cuts down time that could be used showing the Nancys at home in the Nancy Mansion etc. Although I dont like Ashley much I did feel sorry for her when ALW was so damming last week and this. He definitely doesn't like her voice and and I think we all thought that if she's in the bottom two it will be curtains, poor girl. Jessie has been my favourite but now I'm aware of the mouth corners I notice it all the time so have gone off her a bit! Jodie & Sarah look too well fed and not vulnerable enough (Jodie would clock BS one if he laid a finger on her). Cant make up my mind about Fran, Nimah too much like a pop star and not a mother to all the urchins which leave Keisha (NO) - Samantha and Rachel (the latter seems a Miss Goody Two-shoes) who I just cant warm too - oh dear what a pity Nancy Nancy went off to the streets of Paris. So I suppose its back to Jessie mouth corners and all..
The Resuts Show - well weren't we all surprised - Fran in the bottom 2 instead of Keisha,(with Ashley) and who does ALW save but Ashley! As someone else said shades of Daniel last year. Very mysterious or does he not want to cross swords with JB who has been more than tetchy the whole series. I suppose it saves me having to make up my mind about Fran....
One other point - during the Maria show did the girls dress in 'their' colours week after week for their solos? I'm sick of seeing Jessie in that green and Ashley in that blue. Oh for a change. Did the gorgeous Lee Mead who stood out as Joseph from the start last year wear red week in week out, I dont think so (but this gives me an excuse to go back and check!).
Scott I agree with everything you said this week. Sarah was definetely my favourite. I'm warming to Jodie more each week. Samantha's song was a mystery to me. She had been a favourite but now I'm not so sure. Jessie doesn't do anything for me but seemingly I'm alone in that. Rachel always delivers faultlessly but she also doesn't really hit the spot, a bit too polished almost samey, no rawness they keep harping on about.
Good choice on the Oliver front.
The sing off was a bit of a surprise. After Andrew's comments about Ashley last week and this I thought she was a foregone conclusion to go so my gob was well and truely smacked. As some of the earlier posts say it's Daniel all over again. When she was weeping at the end I commented not to worry love there is probably a job lined up for you elsewhere!
Scott - I agree with much of what you say, but you appear to have the same blind spot about Niamh as the judges...
I also think you've been somewhat kind to ALW not commenting on his excessive rudeness to Ashley. At least he made amends by listening to the other judges and saving her in the sing-off...
My full thoughts are on my own blog if anyone is interested!
Scott dear,- you do make us jump through the loops (or is it hoops?). First in the third line from top, you use the word "osngs", and at first I thought it was theatre speak for something, but then I realised,- it's an anagram (albeit an unintentional one) for "songs", isn't it?
Then you come up with the word "perspicacious". I had to look that one up. In my thesaurus it's explained as " acutely perceptive or discerning". Geri will love this one! Are you checking if we're still awake?
I do not think that ALW was listening to the same show as we were. How he saved Ashley was a complete mystery.
I think that Keisha should have been in the bottom two and not Francesca.
I have lost faith with ALW after his decision.
Saturday night was a bit of a letdown, just really because of the song choices, how can you choose a musical theatre performer from Las Vegas singers songs?! I like Jodie, I mean her personality seems so suited for this role, yet I just found 9 to 5 fun, but slightly uninteresting. I'm afraid I find it hard to see her away from that cabaret act, though she has distanced herself from it I just think there's part she will never lose which still haunts in her voice. Samantha just leaves me feeling bored, I like her voice, but her emotion just felt forced and resulted in her voice just losing it completely in the middle when she attempted to portray the most emotion. Ashley was alright, not amazing, but what can you really do with 'I wanna dance with somebody'. Niamh, well, while I thought Wind Beneath my Wings was good, I still don't see her as Nancy at all.
Keisha should have been in the bottom two, I think I could see her being a singer on a cruise ship, but not somewhere near the west end. Jessie, I really like Jessie and if there was one I would like to win it would be her. However the song choice was pretty appaulling, she did well and performed it probably the only way she could, but for ALW to turn round and then say not really song you could tell Nancy from, then why pick it?! In addition to this it's not really fair to criticise her because of her mouth, it doesn't hinder her performance therefore shouldn't really be an issue. I mean nobody says they like Keisha any less because she has rather scary eyes, or Rachel because she has a funny nose. It's irrelevant information! Stepping up the mark Sarah definitely is getting better week by week and I enjoyed her performance of Midnight Train to Georgia. Francesca shouldn't have ended up going after tonights performance which while wasn't amazing still was better than some of the others. Finally to Rachel, Rachel annoys me. I don't see what the judges see in her at all. It's all too tried, too overacted, she just has no grabbing spark about her and not really any rawness. She's just sort of sauntering through this competition and it's all a bit boring. I mean has nobody noticed that in the group songs, she's never been picked as one that stands out! Don't get me wrong, she's alright, just don't put her in Oliver! Overall Sarah I agree had the best performance this week, though Jessie is my favourite to win. One last thing, seriously get Zoe Tyler back and get rid of Barry Humphries, he's just a waste of space and at least she won't eye up the younger Nancy's while judging.
can't believe ALW sent home Francesca She was one of the few I beleived could play Nancy as she had that edge about her. And was defenitly the best perforance of As Long As he Needs Me just showed everyone what there going to miss out on.
Keisha should have gone don't like the wide eyed stare we get every week with every performance. Sarah has a lovely voice but sh's just not Nancy and the same goes for Sam and Niamh all wonderfully talented but much better roles await them. Have to agress ditch Barry gives me the creeps never mind the girls. Hopefully Jessie wont have the same fate as francesca it just seems to take Barry to Say no and there out, and he wasn't overly complementary about our Jessie this week.
I thought some of the songs were dreadful choices. It shows Jodie's ability that she could do something worthwhile with "9 til 5". Once again I loved Sarah's voice and Rachel is definitely consistently good - she gives me no anxieties.
I do think Niamh has a special quality but Samantha seems to shout somewhat.
I was appalled that ALW saved Ashley. It is hard - she isn't terrible but neither has she anything special. I thought Francesca sang Whistle Down the Wind far better and although I prefer others, she should have been saved.
I am so sorry that she feels so rejected and wish her every success in other roles.
I liked Jodie and Sarah's performances very much, I would certainly not be disappointed to see either win the role, but I particularly liked Niamh, she grows on me more each week. I agree she is very young, but I could still see her as Nancy.
I'm not sure Samantha benefitted from JB's "help", although she was more confident I felt the emotion was forced. Francesca and Rachel both sang ok but neither of them do anything for me I'm afraid, can't see either in the role. Jessie: I liked her at first but now her performances are the same each week, unless she really improves then she's not for Nancy.
Ashley didn't move well at all, although her singing isn't bad.
Keisha was my least favourite this week. She looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
I would have put both of them in the sing off with Keisha leaving.
I was surprised to see Francesca in the bottom two instead of Keisha, but had a sneaking suspicion ALW may get rid of her, it should have been Keisha.
Kwayedza deserves his place in the semi final, he has a beautiful voice. I still love Gwion. It is hard to say much more as we still don't see enough of the Olivers!
I hope we get better songs next week, and some of the girls are tested a bit more.
We must have heard a different performance. As a speech therapist, I was concerned by Kwayedza's voice in anything but the lower registers. It almost sounded as though his voice was beginning to break. I do not know his age but he certainly needs to see a specialist before he does real damage.
Alison - you are def not alone. As I have said elsewhere I just dont get everyone loving Jessie as she does same performance every week and yes her voice is good but I am bored, bored by the same performance week after week.
I love voices of both Niamh and Sarah but not sure I see either as Nancy.
I like Jodie and Rachel and quite like Francesca but at moment no-one stands out as the definitive Nancy. And after the very "wrong" decision re Francesca this week not sure I care any more.
BTW Scott agreed with all your comments and thought they were very perspicacious:)
I'm an Ash fan and even I cannot understand why she was saved. ALW doesnt rate her so she is not really going to get anywhere in the competition (thats what is I think different to the Daniel Debacle because ALW liked Lewis) she is just there to be a pawn in his game Furthermore he made a decision on what the panel said even when it is supposed to be based on the sing off. Its the cynic in me but this is all tactics. He can dispose of Ashley at a later date when it is convienient for him. This week he annoyed enough people first with his unconstructive comment to Ash and then getting rid of Fran that people are talking. That equals publicity. All he has to do next week is get rid of the right person when there is more interest in the process for people to see him as having sense and boom he get the people he wants through and gets the respect of the public. I'll give him this, he is a master of manipulation.
jo4.myopenid.com said that "Growling is not showing emotion"...you tell that to Kerry Ellis in Wicked - I could listen to her growl all day - now that girl can sing, best in the West End (and soon Broadway) at the moment!!! Anyway, getting back to Nancy....
While I agree with many of the comments this week (this is the first week I have actually seen this blog so forgive me if I say anything which has been said before), I have mixed emotions about the programme and show's format in generall which I need to get out of my system. I've worked in professional theatre now for 16 years, as a sound designer in a large producing house, mainly in serious drama rather than West End musical theatre land, but I feel I know the business pretty well.
On one hand, the fact that theatre is getting such exposure, especially on prime time Saturday night TV is brilliant and it does introduce a lot of people to theatre who maybe wouldn't have bothered in the past, so hats off there, and I have to secretly admit that I quite enjoy it, but I really disagree with the way they go about the whole process and find it incredibly patronising.
I could be completely wrong, so apologies in advance if I am, but I don't believe that Andrew Loyd Webber has ever been a casting director or has ever cast anyone for a part in a show before, and I can almost guarantee that none of the rest of the panel have either, so what gives them the authority to give such comments - I have to laugh when John Barrowman tells contestants that they don't show emotion....have you ever seen him act? I must admit the only real time I have seen him, other than in Torchwood, Dr Who etc and various realty TV shows was the Royal Variety a couple of years ago - I don't think you could get a more bland (sorry, bland, bland, bland), non emotional performance. What really annoys me the most though is in the 'Nancy Camp', where he walks round like god and touches the shoulder to the ones who aren't going to make it - how patronising??!!
Moving on from the judges themselves and onto the contestants. I had to laugh on the first episode where most of the girls burst into tears when they were told they had to remove their make up - for that reason alone, they shouldn't be considered mature enough to perform 8 shows a week in professional theatre.
In the current bunch, singing and acting aside, there are only 2 or 3 of the girls who actually fit the criteria of 'Nancy'. Much as I think Niamh is pretty and has a great voice - how can she possibly play the part of Nancy (a 30 something rough mother type figure) when she looks about 16. Full time in professional theatre is very hard work and really does take years of experience to become 'match fit'.
Finally, talking of acting, or lack of it. How can the general public be expected to award such a high postition in theatre to someone they haven't seen act. There is a lot more to musicals than just singing, and apart from a 5 min feature early on and the comments from the panel that they want you to hear (to possibly sway your vote?), how can you possibly know how they can act from that.
With Joseph and Sound of Music, I admit that the right people were chosen, but then again, Lee Mead could have quite possibly got the part from a normal audition without having to go through the patronising coments and tasks given out by people not much better than himself. Maybe Connie wouldn't have got the part without the show, but she was trained and if she had worked her way through the ranks like most other West End leads, maybe she would have known how to look after herself correctly in those early days and not have had to have had so much time off (match fitness, as mentioned before!!).
I'll stop ranting now as I've probably bored you. I've much more to say and have probably not really explained very well what I have said, but I just needed to get it off my chest, and am interested in any comments...and just remember, at the end of the day, isn't the whole thing only about making money for the beeb and Andrew Loyd Webber. I know Oliver isn't his show, but isn't it his theatre it's going in?? I'd like to know how the BBC can justify what is effectively just an advert for ALW.....but that's another rant that I don't have time for now.
Cheers
Hi Wills! Are you sure your name isn't Kevin Spacey? Those last lines are a repeat of what he said and what he later has apoplogized for. It smacks of the green eyed monster when arguments like that are used.
I do however agree with you in some of your critisism. We (the bloggers) have said from the word go of IDA, that we want to see the girls ACT, because this role demands good acting qualities as well as a singing voice. I also agree with you that some of the girls are very far away from the image of Nancy that most of us have. Niahm for instance, would be blown into kingdom come by one swipe from Bill Sykes. It is also very difficult to see her as a "mother" figure for the boys.
In the meantime,- instead of finding faults everywhere, why don't you just lean back and enjoy? It's entertainment, isn't it?
nancy is really cool i like jody and jessy
As to age, according to the show Nancy is only 15 in the book. Someone in her profession would have been past it by 30 (life expectancy wasn't much over 30 at that time & place).
A mother to the boys ? In those days, the elder daughters were expected to act as mothers to their younger siblings. I think Nancy's more of the grown-up older sister.
Ha ha, I didn't know that Kevin Spacey had said that - great minds obviously think alike!!
Fair comments though, I have no 'green eyed monster in me', I wish ALW all the best, he's done great in the theatre world so good on him, infact the only thing I think he should be slapped for is his acting and the story line in the recent episodes of Hollyoaks. A+ for effort, D- for achievement, although if it gets the kids out to the theatre then I guess it has done it's job.
I didn't mean to sound all negative, although on reading back, that is how it sounded and you're right, it IS only entertainment at the end of the day, and is a profession that I work in and love, so here's to seeing the positives...and I have to admit, I do actually enjoy the programme and one thing I can say is that ALL of the contestants are 100 times better than anything X Factor has done in the last few years (ok, apart from maybe Leonna Lewis, or however you spell it and Rhydian....who I actually think might be quite good in musical theatre witha bit of training!!).
Cheers
Wills x
I think Niamh or Jessie are best for the role.
Niamh- She is very young and people may think that she couldn't have enough experience for that song: but if you listen to the lyrics, they completely relate to the relationship between her and her big sister as described in their video. She is extremely talented- her voice is a gift from God. Its great to see such a talented teenager represent the youth of Northern Ireland. She has the best voice and has more than enough natural talent to be a West End star.
Jessie- Her energy and enthusiasm makes all her performances brilliant- she could definitely pull off 8 shows a week. She has the perfect personality for Nancy.
If they work a bit more on their self-confidence, both Jessie and Niamh would make brilliant Nancys.
i think Kwayedza was put thru by being politically correct! i;m an afro carribbean perfomer and know too well of the difficulties of gaining parts in this industry. He is 13 years old, and way too mature for the role. Yes he has a great voice, but why give him false hopes, at the end of the day he's a baby!
I just hope he gets offered something else in the show.
Ás much as i appreciate his talents and masses of enthusiasm, he simply isnt oliver! Maybe, just maybe a dodger.
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!
I am only 15 and want to be a performer when I'm older. I have Grade 5 singing, Grade 7 Piano and am working at an A grade in drama. I always loved singing, it gives me a real buzz being on the stage, but I never really thought about training properly in musical theatre until I saw Jessie and Niamh on stage!
Jessie especially has inspired me to really work at my singing and acting, and is like an idol to me. :D Jessie to win Nancy!! I would love to go and watch Oliver if she was Nancy!
I have recently landed the role of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and am so excited about it, but I worry about my voice not being so powerful; I've heard it comes with age. Is this true? And also I've heard that you can't be in musical theatre unless you have perfect teeth?
Can someone please answer my questions!
Thankss
Haylee x
Hi Hayleeeee, you keep practicing but remember it's a hard life getting the roles and then keeping them. I was talking to an actor friend of mine today. He has earnt no money at all this year. Good luck with your role as Dorothy.
Wills, there is growling because of real emotion and just making the noise. I did agree with some of your comments. Not the Kevin S ones. And it is good entertainment.
I just want to say about the age of Nancy. In the book, shortly after she first appears we are told that she joined Fagin's Gang at the age of 6. Several chapters later she says she has been in The same Business for 12 years.
This does not suggest that she has been with Fagin for 12 years and it is fairly clear from studying Dickens that she is a prostitute. Therefore, she is saying she has been a prostitute for 12 years. Since there were child prostitutes at this time she could have started at around 9 or 10 years of age {not 6}.
Hence she is around 21-22 years of age. In any case, if you add 6 and 12 you get 18 not or 17. She would have looked older too. She is also described as Stout and Hearty looking and not quite pretty.
This is the book version. In the stage version Nancy has always been played as late 20's at the youngest. She is also a cockney.