Apologies for the lateness of the review this week. To make up for it, we’ll start off with this week’s video compilation, which will launch in a separate window.
The theme this week was taking pop songs with strong lyrics and trying to act out the lyric. Which sounds faintly familiar, as it’s pretty much what the contestants do every week. Some managed it, others didn’t. I have to say the song choices weren’t particularly good for some of the Nancies this week, but the overall standard was better than last week’s particularly weak show. And Andrew was back in the studio after his Vegas sojourn, so there was no satellite delay to speak of — although, as we saw at the end of the results show, there’s a gulf the size of the Atlantic between the public’s taste and Andrew’s, it seems…
Speak of Lloyd Webber’s US jaunt, I caught up with the reason he was out there thanks to ITV2 this weekend — a special ALW-themed edition of American Idol. With all the contestants singing his songs (albeit sometimes with more of a pop delivery than a musical theatre one), it was really a special show to watch, much as the edition of IDA two weeks ago that concentrated on MT numbers. Oh, how I wish we could have that sort of emphasis every week…
But back to reality, and Niamh kicked off the solo proceedings with Amy Winehouse’s version of Valerie (and no, BBC website, it’s not the same as the Steve Winwood song as the same name, so you really should update your song list). Starting with the positive — she made a good effort of carrying off some quite complex choreography. Unfortunately, the time she spent learning all her moves should have been better spent working on the quality of her vocal. It’s a tough song to do well, and in places Niamh sacrificed quality of diction as well as becoming quite nasal. I’ve really liked Niamh’s voice the last few weeks, but this was a backwards step this week.
Next up, Rachel was given Avril Lavigne’s I’m With You, which she sang wearing what looked like a bizarre maternity dress. Who thinks up these costumes? Performance-wise, it was typical Rachel: start very quiet, building up to a huge booming foghorn at the climax of the song, while waving her arms about to signal to the world that she is Emoting with a capital E. The panel loves it, The Stage’s columnist Zoe (who you can read every Thusrday in print) loves it — but I think it’s overblown pap that doesn’t really sit well on television screens, which could well be her undoing at the later stages of this competition.
Jessie’s number this week was the Sam Brown classic Stop. Which the BBC website thinks was by the Spice Girls, but that’s a completely different song. After this week, though, Jessie may wish she’d sung the Spice Girls’ version. In terms of her acting through the song, she was outclassed by the male dancer — again, as in previous weeks, more an indication of her lack of training. Every week, she indicates torment, confusion, worry or any other troubling emotion by raising one hand to her forehead. Actually, she varied that this week: once, she used both hands. Listening only to the vocal, it was a strong rendition of the song, but Jessie really needs to work on her acting a lot more if she’s to progress.
Sarah continued her ascension with the latest in a sequence of great song choices (in this case, Alanis Morrisette’s Ironic) executed well. Unlike her fellow professional actress Rachel, Sarah seems able to balance the requirements of acting on stage with a performance that plays well to the voting audience at home. In addition, she’s able to transition between the gentle side of her voice to her ‘belt’ without ever losing focus or control of her voice, which many of the others in this competition struggle with.
Keisha, who had been struggling with a throat infection all week, bravely managed I’m Outta Love without managing to reveal the shaky state of her voice more than once or twice. I do think Keisha’s suffered with poor song choices more than most over the last few weeks; she does seem to end up with the big cabaret numbers that don’t really give her the chance to work on the acting side of her performance. Still, it was an improved performance this week.
Ashley was another much improved performer this week. Evergreen brought out a lighter, more sensitive side to her, and because it cut down on the amount of dancing she needed to do, her overall performance was all the better. In previous weeks, I’ve actually felt the judges were holding back in their criticism of her, but this week I did feel they were harsh on her. I didn’t see the cheesy elements that John Barrowman did — but then, when it comes to judging pot colour, you should always listen to the kettle…
A quick Oliver break, and this week we got to see an acting-related weekly task! Hurrah! The boys looked to be having a ball rehearsing stage fighting, and all did well before Cameron selected Alexander as the fifth of the eight boys who will make it through to the semi-final stage. Back in the studio, a performance of It’s a Hard Knock Life from Annie was great — the song works so much better when it’s not being sung in that awful screechy, faux-American accent so many girls are encouraged to use for the number. With just three more slots up for grabs, I do hope Harry gets one of them.
Back to the soloists, and Samantha was given Since U Been Gone. If you were to cut out all the verses from the song (and from this performance), it would have been one of the performances of the night. However, verses there were, and they were pitched in Samantha’s lower register, which was all over the place. In terms of acting, it was a great performance — but with the volume up, the verses were pitched anywhere except the correct notes. It pains me to say it, but Samantha’s mini dress may well have saved her tonight.
The final solo performance of Saturday night was given to Jodie, who gave a phenomenal rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing. Jodie’s becoming more and more impressive each week, drawing on her cabaret experience without ever letting it overwhelm the rest of her performance. Together with Sarah, I’d say she’s possibly the best equipped for the role of Nancy at the moment.
Sunday’s results show was a mixed bag. The Olivers’ rendition of Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King was not their best, possibly because new finalist Alexander clearly let his nerves get to his vocal performance. The Nancies’ group performance, Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves, produced strong performances all round.
The weekly VT task this week was fitness-based, and saw the girls on rowing machines in the gym before setting out on the river as two teams of four. As we’ve seen before, Rachel talked to the camera as if everyone else was below her. There’s a line between self-confidence and arrogance, and Rachel seems perilously close to using it as a skipping rope. As the final approaches, she needs to watch that if she’s to keep the voting public in hand.
And so to the sing-off: this week between the struggling Niamh and the veteran of the sing-off, Keisha. I felt Keisha’s presence there was unwarranted this week, and certainly in the sing-off itself she gave a blistering performance. Andrew, never very good at hiding his emotions, proclaimed himself to be very, very angry, but ultimately saved Niamh, leaving Keisha to finally exit the competition after many near misses. Andrew wasted no time in departing his throne either, a walkout that the BBC cameras helpfully recorded for posterity.
It seems to me that, for all his dalliance with reality TV, Andrew has so far had easy decisions to make. By handing the ultimate choice of who is in the sing-off to the public, and in having a field where there are a wide range of capable Nancies, he always knew he was going to be in a position where he lost an actress he personally wanted to keep in. But then, if you want 100% control over the casting, the last thing you do is involve the Saturday evening voting public…
Good to see you, Scott dear!
Saturday night.
Here is the result from the Norwegian Jury:
Niahm : Where do they find those songs? Stiff movements and bad singing.
Rachel : Dreadful dress again! She acts well, but was flat several times.
Jerssie : She is sooooo good. She is growing up before our eyes!
Sarah : She has such a rich voice that she can take any song and make it great! She’s got her teapot,- Lee had his onions!
Keisha : I love her voice, but it let her down a couple of times tonight.
Ashley : It’s hard to compete with Barbara Streisand, but this was her best performance yet.
Alexander went through. It was fun watching them do the fighting, because they were obviously having a great time. Quite fearless, some of them! The group song was a delight. They are all getting so good.
Samantha : For the first time I saw something really good in her.
Jodie : She is like Sarah;- she can make any song sound great. I love her voice, AND she is such a good actress.
My favourites tonight is Sarah, Jodie and Jessie.(I will find it very hard to choose between them)
I think Ashley should have gone last week, and I still think she is the weakest.
Sunday night
In the group song Sarah, Jodie and Keisha were the ones that stood out. Niahm looked like the gangly teenager she is. Samantha shouted.
I am not surprised that ALW had to save Niahm, but I don’t agree with it. I love Keisha’s voice and I’ve supported her all the way. I know most disagree with this. Never mind,- next week maybe Ashley’s number will finally be up.
I agree with you, Scott dear, that Sarah and Jodie are starting to stand out. I am really impressed with the way they use their voices.
Scott dear, nice to have you back! My two best contestants are Jodie and Sarah - totally different but both capable of being excellent Nancies in my eyes. Rachel just doesn't do anything for me, Ashley - definitely a no, Samantha and Niahm I have a big query mark over and Jessie I really liked at the audition stage but have been disappointed in ever since
I cant understand why ALW was so angry. He said on Sat that there were 4 perhaps 6 who could all play the role, towards the end of that programme he more or less said that the 4 were Jodie, Samantha, Jessie & Sarah. So who did he expect to be in the bottom 2 if it was not Niamh & Keisha. It only leaves Ashley who was obviously one of them (he should have got rid of her last week) but then Rachel? Is he saying he thinks Rachel should have been when the panel think she is the most consistently good. She is very professional but perhaps too polished, she doesn't really do it for me, not much personality. Keisha was bound to go really as she has been placed bottom by the public for 2 or 3 weeks who probably dont think of Nancy as being coloured even though the recent BBC production featuring a coloured Nancy was entirely credible and a great production. I dont think Niamh is strong enough physically to do 8 shows a week and is more of a pop singer. I would think either she or Ashley would go next week. But then I cant pick a Nancy from the others - I hope they have more well known songs next week, preferably MT songs. I still like Jessie but she has a lot to prove. On the whole I'm beginning not to care about who wins although I have booked to see the show next year. I haven't voted up to now as unlike Maria & Joseph I cant see a perfect Nancy. Roll on next year when hopefully we'll have to pick a male lead!
Some very unflattering songs and dresses this week. Niamh was lucky with the dress but not the song.
I am wondering if ALW, like Tim Rice is a frustrated pop star. I cannot for the life of me understand why they are giving some very modern pop songs to help people choose the right person to play a role set in Dickensian London.
For me and my OH, there is no difficulty, Jodie is wonderful -voice, acting, performance, star quality with Sarah second and possibly Rachel, who is reliable and would have the necessary stamina to survive the demanding role.
It just confirms how well Lee Mead did last year when he was also given the occasional dire song. He rose above his material whenever that happened.
Niamh just forgot the words to the second verse of her song. I pressed the red button to sing along (I know the Lord doesn't approve) so could see she totally lost it and sang the same line 3 times so the lack of quality in her diction was to cover that up which she did well. She has never been Nancy to me but I thought she was a dead ringer for a young Madonna on Saturday.
Rachel is still consistently good but still not doing anything for me. Why do they insist on putting her in little yellow negligees (sp?) each week?
Jessie, Ashely and Keisha not for me. I'm for Sarah, Jodie and Samantha in the final with very little between Sarah and Jodie at the moment.
I think the Lord just had a hissy fit to get some controversy going. I've read IDA is losing in the ratings to Britains Got Talent so a little strop will get people talking and hopefully watching. I don't know why he was so angry. 2 of the panel thought Keisha was not Nancy (not for the first time) and the public clearly don't think so either. I don't think she was ever great with her song but always upped her game in the sing off. If the Lord didn't think those 2 should have been in the sing off who the hell did he think should have been? Ashley I presume so why did he save her last week when he clearly doesn't rate her? And who else was he suggesting? Very fishy. Ratings ploy cynical me thinks.
I also think Sarah and Jodie are by far the best. I like Jessie but she doesn't seem to have progressed. Rachel could do the role but I just don't take to her. Ashley's the weakest and ought to be the next one to go.
I am rooting for Sarah and Jodie too, both impress me with their voices, acting and endearing personas on stage. I am also hoping that Harry will get through.
Saturday
Ok so tonight I think was quite difficult as nobody was outstandingly awful, but I think some are still a lot weaker than others.
Niamh--- she performed this very well but the song has no real emotion so couldn’t judge her acting at all. She is a very pretty girl with a great voice, but whether she is Nancy I doubt.
Rachel--- I think she is a good performer with a good voice but I think she over acts. The panel obviously love her and she could probably give a good performance as Nancy. Don’t think she would blow me away but with time she could prove me very wrong.
Jessie---, sang and moved very well, I think they were a bit hard on her as I did think it was very good . Maybe she did need a bit more oomph!
Sarah---- I think has a great voice, and I’m sure she could be Nancy. Still think she doesn’t look as though she has ever seen hard times though! Not her weight by the way! Hogarth prints prove that poverty didn’t always equate to thinness!
Keisha---- Sang her heart out and can really see her as a soul singer, Nancy? NO.
Ashley---- Well for me still the weakest of those left, horrid song for her but just doesn’t connect somehow, Fran should never have gone last week!
Samantha--! This for me was her best yet and yes now I see a possible Nancy.
Jodie---- For me the performance of the series! I thought she was great and on this performance I would buy tickets to see her as Nancy. Also the weight thing is the same as with Sarah, not all poor people were rake thin.
So Jodie the best poor Ashley to go. I’m not as enthralled as last year but then how often does a Lee come along!!!!
The boys were so sweet but still don’t feel connected to them. Think they slow the show down and detract from the main business. Will probably be better when the show reaches the final stages.
Sunday……
So the Lord isn’t happy! Well he’s the one that saved Ashley and I really think she should have gone last week. I can’t see her lasting much longer but who knows!
I don’t think either Keisha or Niamh are Nancy so it wouldn’t have been that hard for me!
Saturday night
Niamh - Shouty. Did not think she was any good at all tonight.
Rachel - Horribly shouty. Overacting.
Jessie - Well sung and acted. Powerful performance. Much better than in previous weeks.
Sarah - Has the sound of Marti Webb when she does the narrative bit and I loved MW singing Tell me on a Sunday, so high praise from me. Brilliant.
Keisha - Good, but probably not good enough
Ashley - Much better tonight - what an improvement on last week.
Samantha - What is it with all the shouting this week??
Jodie - Loved her. Brilliant
My weak ones are Niamh for sure and Rachel or Ashley for the other one.
Strong ones - Jodie and Sarah - both brilliant and pulling further ahead of the others by the week.
Sunday - Chuffed that Alexander is through. Love his voice.
Sing off between Niamh and Keisha. Personally I thought Keisha was far superior, but given that she is not getting the votes she wont fill the theatre so had to go. At least ALW seems to have learned something from insisting on using BooHoo.
Final comment - will someone please shoot BH and put me out of my misery. He really is spoiling the show for me. He was leering at Samantha so obviously this week that it was embarrasing. Saw DvO giving him a real look too. Have complained to the BBC. First time ever.
Regarding the weight issue, I see see Nancy as possibly eating well for the first time in her life thanks to Burglar Bill. She turns a blind eye to his livelihood as survival in that environment is so hard, a matter of life and death. Country people were sucked into the city and lived desperate lives. Terence Stamp once said that people in the East End were often very good looking, thanks to the big mix of genes.
Saturday night:
Niamh - Bad song, i read what the vocal coach had said on the bbc website and she claimed that Niamh was ready to take on a more acting role this week. I do not see how Valerie would let her act. I did notice the slip-up with the words but thought she covered it ok. In general i thought she started well but towards the end the vocal, the diction and the choreography all lost its punch.
Rachel - I have to agree on the dress issue, wardrobe mustn't like her. But, as every week thus far, consistantly good.
Jessie - growing on me, but the back chat doesn't help. Interestingly BH managed to give a comment that was worth listening to for a change when he told her not to lose what makes her by trying to please everyone. Vocally good, but it will be interesting to see how she does in this weeks acting task as a think she is probably lacking more than the rest in her acting capacity.
Sarah - another consistantly good performance, excellent diction - some of the lines in that song i have actually never known what they were until saturday!
Keisha - I thought she did well relative to other weeks, probably her best performance but still a bit below power when compared to the others.
Ashley - was hugely on her side after she sang 'the winner takes it all'. Now, however, i am rather hating her, and especially her attitude. I feel like she is just out to prove a point to andrew by staying in the competition, but not in a god way. and the yelling "yes" and punching the aair several times did not endear her to me. I want her out next no question.
Samantha - i have tosay i think its the very revealing outfits that are helping her more than her voice. It was shouty, and she frequently gives iffy vocals - I think Barks is a very apt surname for her.
Jodie - i like her, but she's not Nancy. I haven't listened to it againsince saturday but did she actually hit these 'big notes' in the song? the crowd seemed to be cheering over her so i couldn't tell if she actually managed it.
_____________________________
Sunday
What a shock - I just couldn't believe that Niamh was in the bottom two - i was sure it should have been Keisha and Ashley, to which ALW would have sent Ashley home. I think this is what ALW meant when he said "it shouldn't have been you two tonight", I think he meant it should have been Keisha and Ashley, and that he would have saved Keisha, and then worked with her as he said. Will be interesting to see if ALW works with Ashley after that tantrum he threw at the end.
Regarding the sing off i absolutely think he made the right choice, I think Niamh has a beautiful voice and it is effortlessly so, and has a superb range - much better than Sam.
I think the sing-off was the best one of any series though, they both did amazingly and it brought a tear to my eye. It was phenomenal.
Why is there not a full version of it on the bbc website or youtube?
Oh and also i forgot to say...
I think last week when he sent Fran home, i got the feeling that was him having a bit of a go at the panel. John and Andrew have made several snippy comments to each other, so i think that since Fran was a friend of DVO and since JB liked her and since JB had made such a fuss over what ALW had said to Ashley the week before about not rating her voice, i think ALW just thought that he would save Ashley and make very clear he was basing the decision on what the PANEL said - thus completely passing the responsibility onto them, which was a cunning move actually especially since DVO and Fran were friends, so him doing that probably made it sting a bit more.
So i think he was partly so raging because he saved Ashley last week to prove a point and then it slightly blew up in his face when she got through.
That's all folks!
I thought Jessie was great and the panel were a bit harsh on her, saying could she take direction - they told her to work on her movement which is what she did! I loved Jodie as well. I don't get Rachel - clearly very talented but overacts and I agree with Scott, she seems very patronising over the other nancies. I didn't like Samantha at all this week - she sounded out of tune and was dressed.. well like a bit of a tart - they need a new wardrobe as generally outfits tend to be horrific as they attempt to keep each nancy in their staple colour every week!
For me the standouts this week were Sarah and Jodie.
Having been impressed with Rachael in week one I'm beginning to dislike her performances more and more - and the editing certainly is focusing on her competitiveness to her detriment.
Agree with Scott that Sam's verses of 'Since You've Been Gone' were dreadful ... compare her version to that of Daniel's last year ... no comparison. That said, I do like her - she just seems to be trying too hard to act everything with vigour!!
Sadly, we are judging a performance on a TV screen, which bears no resemblance to what you get in live performance on a large stage, and I don't think all the TV viewers will appreciate this. So I vote for Jodie as she manages to fill the TV studio with her personality, yet doesn't overwhelm it.
Scott I agree with a lot of things you have said.
However I can't seem to work out who this dancer on stage with Jessie was. My attention must have been focussed on the brilliant singing and acting that was coming from Jessie.
The standard is extremely high this year with several front runners, compared to Maria and Joseph, in which there were runaway favourites from the start. My top 2 would have to be Jodie and Sarah, who I think are way out in front. Whilst initially I did not really rate Samantha due to excessive shouting and seemingly nothing behind the eyes, I think after her 'telling off' a few weeks ago, her performances are getting stronger each week, and I now think she is a definite contender . I was sorry to see Francesca go out so early as I could really see her as Nancy, and I think she was clearly a victim in the politics between ALW and the panel (and some of his other decisions have been pretty questionable too). I think the show suffers due to an all performer panel - why did they get rid of Zoe? And I am sorry, but BH adds nothing constructive and his leering is just cringeworthy. Niamh I think has potential to have a huge pop career, but I really don't see her as Nancy. I'm sure that with that voice, Keisha will have major success as a recording artist, but again I didn't really see her as Nancy. Rachel is clearly talented but frankly I think she overacts and arrogance is never an endearing quality. I agree, she needs to be careful about her superior attitude as that may well be her undoing with the audience (pride and falling etc ). Jessie was impressive early on but i find her curling lip a distraction and her performances so far have lacked variation. As ever the song choices (not to mention outfits!) leave a lot to be desired and seem to be strategically chosen to enhance or hinder each candidate's chance of getting votes. I also echo the lament of why oh why can't we see more acting? And why do they not do more MT songs - which would surely be more relevant to the competition? However, despite my complaints it's still gripping TV and I would definitely pay good money to see Jodie or Sarah in the role of Nancy. So in the absence of Fran, go Jodie & Sarah!!!!
Agree with everything you said Josie! Find choice of all performers panel very odd and choice of songs extremely odd - they are going to be doing MT! Let them show what they can do with MT song!
Saturday show
Niamh-Impressed me in starting group number (never thought I’d say that). Solo, was she flat at the beginning? Not the song for her. Looked OK in the dancing. I did not like it.
Rachel-(Terrible dress.) Acted the song, to the detriment of the vocal at times.
Jessie-Did not shine in the group song. I thought she acted the song and I could hear each word. Good voice.
Sarah-In the group song she was the worst for me, did not look or sound like Nancy. Solo song, she lost the camera a couple of times. I thought she was smiling in sad bits. Good voice for the song. Did not like the movements.
Keisha-Good vocal and movement in the group song, but I couldn’t see her face, so not certain on the acting. Solo song, good dress for her. Good voice for the song. Her walk on stage needs work. Can’t say she really acted the song for me.
Ashley-Flapping arms and hands in the group song, not Nancy. She wanted to show the softer voice, but at times it seemed she couldn’t control it. No, not a good song for her.
Samantha-Dimples didn’t do it for me in the group song, sounded OK. Solo song, she can walk across the stage (small thing, but I’m impressed). Liked her moves. I liked the performance. Couple of duff notes. My favourite of today’s show so far, I even coped with the shouty bits.
Jodie-Stood out in the group song. Solo song. Very bad dress design for her. I hate this sort of song. I think she delivered it well, with real feeling.
Best solo song for me Samantha. Jodie is still the Nancy for me.
Results show
Both in the song with the Olivers and in the group song none of the Nancys stood out for me.
Keisha and Niamh in the sing off, it should have been Ashley instead of Niamh. I like Niamh, but not certain if she is Nancy. Keisha can’t act, so is not right for it, good voice though. Good song for Niamh in the sing off, she performed it really well. Keisha did not come over as well in the quiet bits. ALW saved Niamh, I agree with this decision.
Although she is one of the best in the competition, I don't really agree that Jodie's performance was "phenomenal" - she was saying in the VT that she was worried about hitting notes that her voice had never hit before - yet her version of "I Have Nothing" was about 3 keys lower than the original Whitney Houston version! IMHO if the girls dont have the range for a song - don't let them sing it! When would it ever happen that you'd get a composer to transpose a whole show up/down for you to suit your range?!
What you said Scott!!
I was all ready to write my opinion but you pretty much said everything I thought so I won't bother.
Sarah or Jodie for Nancy and more MT songs please.
samantha - im sorry but her performance was enough to prove she isnt nancy. The vocal like uv said in the verses was awful and your ear drums nearly popped with the shouting - not to mention the pretty woman boots and THAT dress. She is 17 for gods sake!
Jodie and Sarh were phenomenal head and shoulders above the rest - they were the only ones who actually stayed in tune all the way through, im sure even perfectionist rachel gave a couple of duff notes which isn't like her - bring back zoe!!!!
I feel sorry for Jessie and Ashley they are tryin their best, but unfortunately its just not goin to be enough. I feel especially sorry for Ashley because ALW is ruining any chance of her having a career - by saying shes not only not nancy, but couldn't hold an audience or be a leading lady - how is she ever going to work?! porr girl :(
ALW was right to be angry. He has an inept panel with him.
I have seen Van Outen and Humphries perform in musicals - enough said. I am sure that the reason he voted out Keisha was that he realised that the three's dislike of her had ruined any chance she had of being Nancy. Arguably she had the best voice in the competition. I accept she was probably not a Nancy. As ALW said she is going to have a great career anyway.
Ashley, Niamh and Samantha were as dreadful as usual. They should not have been in the final twelve.
I love the voices of Jessie and Sarah but both have problems with their posture and acting skills. Hopefully they will improve or it will be a two horse race between Rachel (bookies favourite) and Jodie.
Jodie was magnificent on Saturday. She has real charisma.
Rachel was good but a little OTT in her performance this week.
Scott - as ever, I agree with pretty much everything you have said (especially on Ashley's performance).
However, I think you are slightly harsh about Rachel. I think she's genuinely talented and still one of the ever-decreasing number of girls who could really cope with the role. For me, it's 1 from 3 - Rachel, Sarah or Jodie.
Delighted to see Niamh in the bottom 2 - her voice is just not good enough to still be in the competition...
That's a bit harsh Jon! I agree Niamh may not be right for Nancy but I do think she could easily play another role on stage as her voice is beautiful. Valerie was totally wrong for her but The Rose was just right for her voice. I have to disagree with you about Rachel too as she overacts and is not always in tune, I don't think she can be rated alongside either Sarah or Jodie at this stage. To be honest none of them have grabbed me particularly, unlike Lee last year and both Connie and Siobhan the year before.
Yes, I accept that my comments on Nimah sounded overly harsh. Having said that, her diction was dreadful this week, and whilst she did a good job in The Rose, I thought that she deserved to be in the bottom 2.
I think part of the reason why no single person has grabbed you might be the fact that the overall standard is higher. Unlike in the previous 2 series, I still believe that more than 1 person could play the part. Last year, I was set on Lee winning from very early on!
I voted for Sam and the skirt didn't persuade me although it helped. She's got the strongest voice in my opinion and the best mover on stage. Not to mention the Olivers love her
I wrote out my opinions but they were lost on submission - twice (grr!)
I look forward each week to seeing the mostly unbiased critical opinions in this blog and comments. Good stuff.
I was surprised by the swell of opinion against Rachel this week. In my rankings she has always been most likely to be in the final three. The other two probable finalists have varied based on performances and other's critical comments (BH hasn't swayed me!) I'd like to see Sam in the final, though I was not taken with 'shouting to emote' in week 6. Based on the consistent public approval of Jodie as their view of Nancy I expect her to be in the final, though I dislike what we see of her brash offstage character.
Having put these three as most likely to be in the final I confess Jessie or Sarah could easily replace any of them, but expect Niamh and Ashley to be most likely to be knocked out in the next two weeks. There isn't going to be an obvious winner that can be pointed out at this stage. Personally I want Sam to win, but I do know her (so I have advantage that I have seen her act)
I agree that we should see more acting, not just odd snippets, or else how can we judge their ability to play Nancy on more than singing pop songs?
While I think Rachel is quite competant, I find her very unmemorable - almost boring - missing the X Factor (oh, sorry wrong show !) And yes, Scott I agree she came over very conceited in the VT. Remember Connie didn't do well on the assault couse & it didn't stop her.
I think the younger girls would all struggle as Nancy though they all should have great futures with a bit more training. I love Niamh's delicate looks. Felt sorry for her this week - how could she show acting skills with a fast song & those dancers. (I can't understand the words when Amy Winehouse sings it either).
Sarah gets stronger & stronger.
I'd like to see Ashley go next - should have gone last week.
Let's hope we see more of the promised acting challenge on Saturday
I was very unimpressed with last week's show, the song choices were awful and so were the outfits. This is supposed to be a Musical Theatre audition and not the X-Factor type show. I think the Beeb are trying to appeal to the same audience.
As far as the 'Nancys' go, I cannot warm to Jodie but I would like to hear her sing something from MT to see if it changes my mind. My front runner and the one who acts and sings the others off the stage is Sarah. Give her a popular MT number to sing and she'll get the part - great voice, she makes any song her own.
The rest - sorry not convinced, so far, by any of them.
I wish we could see more acting from them. Proper, scripted acting - not just clips of an actor who is a bit like Bill shouting at them. As someone who has seen Ashley as the lead in a show (Honk) I can say her acting is exceptional - even if you're not convinced by her voice, once you see her act you'll understand why she is there. Her stage presence is fantastic. There are so many facets to Nancy's character, not just her voice. If we get a girl with a fantastic voice but a so-so actress, then it'll be a disaster. Much better will be a girl who may not have the ultimate amazing voice but who can bring out every vulnerability, every strength, every tear and the ultimate core of Nancy. That's what will get the audience going.
Bit obvious, but I always use the following as an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3dLzIYKs8
Hi Scott, your on the ball as usual.
I agree with you on these comments = the show has been pretty lacking in something..........I only see Sarah and Jodie giving it that something extra. Jessie - she needs alot of work and is not natural on stage. Samantha - they keep dressing this girl like a hooker. She is 17 for god sake. Rachel - thank god for the fast forward button, dont rate her at all very cold performances very plastic, going through the motions. Ashley - not strong enough vocally.
Naimh - nice girl - but not Nancy.
Look forward to you next review.
Casper1066
I think Sarah is phenomenal. She really brings any song to life and gives new meaning to it.
Sarah is my absolute favourite. Stunning voice, wonderful stage actress and very touching.
Hi all,
My favourite is Sarah! She can act really well and has such an amazing voice.. every time I hear her sing a ballad I get tears in my eyes.. I love her voice and I think she would be the BEST Nancy there is in this competition...
although, I also think Niamh is very good:)
I think Ashley should go home tonight... I agree with Andrew and I think her voice can get boring..
Greetings from Holland,
Lotte
The results show has not been aired yet but the result is shocking. This show is indeed a complete travesty and I shall not watch anymore. It is very frustrating to see them get away with being able to manipulate the public so easily.
I was also very surprised by the results of what The Stage calls week8 and BBC site calls week6.
The performances seen, and panel comments, didn't prepare me for the results of the public vote. The manipulation, if it exists, is not straightforward, as it wasn't as if the panel and ALW were pushing for those two to be bottom.
I guess the manipulation comes in which songs are chosen for the competitors, and possibly what costume and makeup they are given. I sometimes wonder if the same song would have been better interpreted by one of the other competititors. It wouldn't be as enjoyable, but could be more objective, if they all sang the same song.
It would be very interesting to be privy to how much the number of votes cast for each person differ - how close are they?
Personally I think it is song manipulation. Sarah had been given difficult songs that would not stick in the public's mind and sometimes I thought Rachel got more pop than MT. I see some contestants getting unanimous praise for mediocre performances and others getting picked at more or 'your're not Nancy'. The public seem very fickle and vote for show-stoppers. I don't think they ALW and CO) wanted Sarah because of her height and soft appearance. But given the chance I'm sure she could have done it - her performances in the Sunday show were stunning. If she had been given a good Striesand number like Rain on My Parade she would have brought the house down but they didin't want that did they? Come on Scott, post your thoughts on week 8 please.