Well, with just two more weeks of shiny floors and nail biting tension to go, it was notable that this week’s opening number of Food Glorious Food had all twelve Olivers completely overshadowing the supposed main stars of the show, the four prospective Nancies. Which is completely fine, as it’s exactly what the number is — an all-boys chorus designed to open the show. As such, it’s pretty indestructible and did exactly what it was supposed to.
Of course, the panel was joined for tonight (and next week’s final) with Oliver! producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh, as The Stage revealed before the start of the series. To be honest, although a couple of his comments rankled, his presence on the panel showed just how the other members have struggled in all coming from a performer-only background.
First up in the solos was Rachel, singing Cabaret. And while any of the four could have done a good job of the song vocally as Rachel did, she managed to convey the subtext of the song — Sally Bowles being defiant in the face of the Nazi threat in pre-war Berlin — superbly. It looked like she has finally found the ability to act in a theatrical style that is also intimate enough for the TV cameras. It’s a skill that’s peculiar to this show, and in many ways it’s a shame that Racchel’s earlier performances didn’t show just what she’s capable of. And in a bizarre piece of foreshadowing, she does change the lyric to I made my mind up back in Chelsea/When I go, I’ll go like Rachel. As the only girl of the four to have been in the sing-off before, she must know she was vulnerable, and it was a brave gambit to acknowledge that.
Jessie was next up, with What I Did For Love from A Chrous Line. Wow, two musical theatre songs in a row — isn’t there a BBC rule against that?As so often with Jessie, there was a very intelligent vocal reading of the song. She had her accent under control, still there but consistent throughout the song. And if this were a radio show, I’d say she gave one of the strongest performances on the evening. Unfortunately, her presence on stage didn’t match the quality of the vocal, feeling as if it wavered between pensive and outright aggression. Jessie referred to being rejected twice for drama school. I hope that in the progress of this series she’s learnt enough to get into a good musical theatre course, so she can learn to be more versatile on stage. I don’t believe that the right place for her to learn what she needs is the stage of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
In addition to their solo performances, this week the Nancies were also to perform duets from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s back catalogue. First to perform were Jodie and Samantha, with Jesus Christ Superstar. Right from the offset, before the vocals started, Samantha was in character from the second she stepped on stage, while Jodie only seemed to come alive when she started to sing. I love the song, and from their performances I’d say both girls did too. The different qualities of their voices — Jodie’s deeper, almost R’n’B style and Samantha’s belting top notes — complemented each other very well. In my mind, Sam delivered the better performance of the two.
The interval Oliver performance this week, Tomorrow from Annie, was delivered by the eight finalists. And what a high standard they all have. One or two have disappointed since their original selection, and Kwayedze’s voice seems to have got more and more hoarse, which I hope won’t turn into a long term problem. I do wish we’d seen more of their pre-recorded solo renditions of Where is Love?, but we were promised a live rendition of that in the results show from the three Olivers who were destined for the West End. I think the final choices of Gwion, Laurence and Harry are good ones. Gwion has a beautiful quality to his voice that embraces his strong accent without devaluing his performance, Harry is an immensely charismatic presence, while Laurence is possibly the best all-rounder out of all twelve boys who made it through to the live show.
Back to the solo performances, and Samantha broke the run of musical theatre numbers with the X Factor song If You Believe. I’m sure somebody will tell me which of the numpties from that show actually took it into the charts. I, personally, don’t care, other than to say Samantha would have wiped the floor with them. It was a restrained, technically accomplished performance, with one or two sharp notes but completely captivating nonetheless. The panel were interested in seeing vulnerability from her, and in general they did. Cameron noted that the vulnerability went away as the money notes hit in, and Andrew acknowledged that the song was at fault more than the performer. Hmm. Do you think there’s a reason why the other songs worked in allowing a theatre-style performance to come through from a musical rendition? Do you? Do you really?
The final solo performance of the week was Jodie with On My Own. I love Jodie to bits when she’s performing. She clearly has trouble with her upper register, which those who know about these things than I do tell me isn’t too much of a worry for the role of Nancy. In terms of performance, it was packed full of emotion. Despite Andrew’s worry in previous weeks about her being able to sing and dance at the same time — which others in the competition are plainly better at than Jodie — here she showed her true strength: holding the audience in the palm of her hand while she delivers a killer performance. Her voice may have cracked occasionally, but if anything it added to the song rather than taking away from it.
The final performance of the night was the second duet, with Rachel and Jessie tackling Evita’s Buenos Aires. And what a shouty mess it was. The girls’ diction was terrible, the sound mix was all over the place and Rachel virtually undid all the good work she had done with her barnstorming solo performance earlier on. In many ways that’s a problem with the song and the musical direction rather than the girls themselves, but a song that’s designed to convey excitement, passion and a lust for live managed to convey none of those.
In the results show (and by the way, thanks so much to the “friend” who divulged the result to me on Sunday morning) we were shown this week’s acting task — to act towards Barry, speaking the words of As Long As He Needs Me instead of singing them. Jessie’s accent still causes her problems, but she’s getting better on that front. Samantha seemed to take a while to get into it, and Jodie attracted criticism more for delivering a different interpretation rather than for any technical reason.
A group number of A Hard Day’s Night was directed in such a way that it became hard to see who could cope with the choreography. There were a couple of flashes of Jessie looking unsure of herself, and I think I spotted Samantha having a misstep at one point. Vocally, though, it sounded great. And let’s face it, if choosing Nancy came down to which actress could do the twist most effectively we’d be in a pretty pickle.
After the brief glimpse of the song in Saturday’s show, Gwion, Laurence and Harry gave a valedictory performance of Where is Love that, to be frank, put some of the professional actresses who’ve taken part in this series to shame. Absolutely superb from start to finish.
As the results lined up, Rachel and, for the first time, Samantha ended up in the sing-off - despite the judges saying that Jessie (John and Denise) and Jodie (Barry and Cameron) were not Nancy. The girls had to sing Memory, a song which really challenges the range. Both did well, and I wouldn’t have liked to have been in Andrew’s shoes as he tried to choose. For me, Samantha connected with the TV audience a bit better, while Rachel was able to use her training to elecit slightly more meaning behind the words of the song. In the end, though, it was third time unlucky for Rachel, as Samantha was saved to go through to next week’s final.
Stay tuned for a podcast discussion later this week between myself and Zoe Tyler, The Stage’s print columnist who has also been reviewing I’d Do Anything.
I really hope Jodie doesn't win, I do not like her at all. Her personality grates on me, I think she is very fake.
I'd have liked to see Rachel win. I was very sad to see her go on Sunday.
When You Believe is, actually, a musical theatre song. It originally came from The Prince of Egypt animated musical film before being munged by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. It was written by Stephen Schwartz, the composer of Wicked, Children of Eden, Pippin and Godspell.
I just wish that Samantha had done the original arrangement of it - less warbling, more intimacy, more emotion
Well you learn something new every day! Thanks, Michael :)
Your comments rang true with me again Scott. I admit I browsed to find the result before the results show, and more than one blog site apparently leaks spoilers soon after the audience of the Saturday show get their phones back (around 10pm Saturday evening). The one I went to leans to mostly pithy gushing praise of one finalist or dismissive comments about the others, with no clear consensus.
It is irritating to see one's own favorite being dissed with a blanket criticism (can't sing, can't act, always going out of tune etc.) which I can't see myself when I watch the show.
The disparity between the panels views and the GB public's votes was an unwelcome surprise. I'm glad Sam was saved, but figure ALW had decided in his own mind which of any two to save prior to the sing off. Rachel had been in the sing off twice before, indicating possibly that while she is undeniably talented she isn't people's first choice for the part.
I have heard that in the Isle of Man last Saturday there was a network problem that prevented people voting using their mobiles. Whether this dropped Sam into the bottom two is debatable - it would be a sad state of affairs if her success depends so much on local support (of which there is probably a good amount around each of the finalist's home areas).
Next week is the crunch, though based on previous shows (ADWD and HDYSAPLM) all finalists will do well in MT whether or not they get the part of Nancy.
Here is the vote from the Norwegian Jury:
Saturday night.
Rachel : It started ordinary, but then picked up. It’s the best she’s done so far.
Jessie : She was stunning !!! Such a beautiful song and such a beautiful rendition.
I totally disagree with JB.
Samantha & Jodie : It’s so difficult to judge this song with two female voices. I thought that especially Sam sounded screechy in parts.
The Olivers: I still can’t tell them apart, but I enjoyed the song. Thank you for the presentation afterwards. One of my choices went through: Gwyon. He has the most cheekily, lovely face.
Samantha: It was a good song for her voice, but she still doesn’t move me. Lovely dress btw.
Jodie: It was a simple song, very emotional, and she did it ! She has the best voice in the competition.
Rachel & Jessie : Crikey! That’s a hard song to sing. I think Jessie gave the best performance. I don’t know if it was the camera, but she easily outshined Rachel.
Tonight I think Jodie and Jessie were the best, but Rachel should be in the final next week for her interpretation of Cabaret!.
Samantha to go.
Sunday night
In the sing-off I thought Samantha came off best. Her voice was more expressive, but her face is impassive and cold.
I never thought ALW would let Rachel go. Sometimes that man really surprises me.
I am so glad that the public wanted Jodie and Jessie to go straight on to the final. I thought Jessie showed today that she CAN act, and her movements in the group song were much better than before.
In the last song Rachel looked frightening, as if she wanted to eat and swallow ALW!
As ever, I completely agree with you Scott.
If only the girls had been given more musical theatre numbers over the course of this series!
Whilst Samantha has improved massively, I'm still not sure that she's perfect for the part of Nancy. I am also really worried about Jessie winning now - as you say, she needs to go to drama school, not the West End stage to learn.
I guess that means I am probably supporting Jodie now.
Thought it was unfair of Cameron Mackintosh to give an opinion on who he thought should leave, since he's obviously told ALW who to pick. It was as good as telling Jodie "If you're in the sing-off, you're out". No wonder she was so relieved when the public saved her.
Re Cameron's remark about Jodie looking matronly - she certainly didn't in the shot walking to the acting task. She's probably got a lot better idea of what suits her than the costume designers (who's costume ideas on this whole show have been very odd).
Thought Rachel went really OTT again on her "As long as he needs me". The close up on her mouth at the end looked really ugly.
I'm guessing the judges want Sam to win but I think the public will go for Jodie.
Bit of a cross-post - should've posted it here but got sidetracked.
Sunday night was an absolute travesty. I’m not a particular fan of Rachel’s (she’s a bit too professional to really win the hearts of the TV viewing public) but she would have made a fantastic Nancy. Her Cabaret performance blew me away, and I dislike the song and the show intensely. The professionalism and detachment that got her voted off by viewers who wanted to ‘get to know her’ is exactly what gets a performer through a long run without losing too much of the opening night performance. I did, however, think, that DVO's comments about the performance hurt the other performers - they must've thought there wasn't much point in even stepping onto stage!
Having said that, Samantha still should have stayed and judging by his comments, ALW would have preferred Jessie (more likely) or Jodie to have been in the sing-off.
Jessie has been badly treated - in one moment she’s being told to be more like herself (which is a no-no when you’re doing a character part) and the next moment she’s being told that she’s not acting more like Nancy. Poor girl. I don’t think she’s ready, however, and is far too mannered in her performances (the crooked smile, the singing out of one side of her mouth, the reach out into a fist and then across her neck, the saloon-door arms so stunningly shown in Saturday’s show) to make it as a character actress _at the moment_. She should head for drama school and come back fighting as a career musical-theatre woman. Currently, I just don't see what all the fuss is about.
Samantha may be young, but she does have a maturity in her voice, and in her acting, that makes me see a long career ahead of her. But Nancy is not her part. Sam is currently too smiley (this week’s sing-off was troubling) and doesn’t always connect emotionally with me. When You Believe was alright vocally, but if she had stuck with the original arrangement (which was quieter and simpler) rather than the warbling Mariah Carey version, she would have had a much better shot. I like her, I really do - as DVO said, she appeals to men and women, but perhaps it's a younger audience that likes her? Put her in Avenue Q as Kate Monster?
This leaves us with Jodie. She has transcended her ‘cabaret’ performances roots and shown that she can take direction AND expand and improve. Remember, no matter what take these women have on the part, it is down to the director at the end of the day.
I believe that Cameron Mack is trying to push for a younger Nancy, just to be ‘different’. But remember, Nancy is an ex-prostitute and, effectively, a landlady and whorehouse madam. She is older in Dickens, and that’s what CM should be looking to, not making the show fit for an MTV generation that might not even be interested. Where’s the grit in Oliver? Where’s the passion? Is CM trying to make this a kids' show? With a bloody murder at the end? It doesn't gel unless you have a solid core Nancy to centre the audience. I think Jodie has the best chance of all of them to make the role a success - just watch Send in the Clowns again. Then watch Saturday’s performance again. She has depth, warmth and there is definitely a dirty sense of humour there. Perfect casting, really, as long as CM and ALW don’t want to change the world.
The acting challenge was a terrific idea (or, as Jessie would say, Oi-dear) and really paid off. Humphreys gives me the creeps, though.
Roll on the Final.
I thought Rachel's cabaret performance was the highlight of the evening. Her voice really suits that jazzy style, and I would love to see her in Cabaret on the West End, or maybe Velma in Chicago.
I dont think Samantha should be Nancy as her acting skills seem to be very limited. Her full repetoire seem to be smiling and nodding. To me, that won't move an audience.
I believe the panel still want her to win, as this time around the winner will have 6 months preperation before the opening of the show. Which shows that ALW wanted an untrained, raw talent right from the beginning, as the six months will give them time to nurture their winner.
I am backing Jodie. She is lovely and a true talent!
Having seen Rachel voted out of the competition it only confirms the apparent reality that this seems to be solely a singing competition. Throughout the course of the show Rachel has continually proved to be the strongest actor (the smallest amount we see during the result shows), and produced the strongest all-round performance on Saturday. It is a great shame she has gone, especially as Nancy requires both acting and singing skills.
As an actor, it's hard to accept Sam and Jesse's performances because they seem to believe that acting is about making a face and using their arms to gesture annoyance or misery every few lines. However this is probably to do with their age and life experience. I agree that Jodie is simply too fake and over the top. Who needs to make such a scene as she did after the announcement that she made it to the final? Jesse needs to learn to stop talking back to the panel.
Vocally, all the finalists would be able to play Nancy. Unfortunately none of them will ever be able to convince me they can truly do justice to this wonderful character.
I agree with Micheal, Jessie and Sam have no emotional depth and they scrunch skirts and grin widely into the camera at the most inappropriate times. The cannot interprete a song. Sam will be a good pop singer, Jessie given more time and training will be a star. But they are crushing her confidence and all the pick picking is killing her performance. This is a young girl who cannot act, dance and has no stage grace. Give her a break and get her some help before we ruin what she has.
Jodie is the most all rounder and I believe that Rachel who saw her perform 24/7 for 10 weeks would know if a person can do a role or not. She believes Jodie could do it no problem, but the others would not. If Cameron wanted a raw younger Nancy then he should not have given the public the choice of a traditional one. It seems the public want to see Nancy as she was, traditional. Not young, shouty and poppy. I think the panel have been ineffective in producing a star, their comments have been confusing and shown great favourisim, not good for the show, the candidate or the paying audience.
I’ve seen a lot of comments here and elsewhere to the effect that Jodie’s personality is either too OTT to play Nancy, or that it simply irritates them, but I can’t see what that has to do with her playing Nancy.
I haven’t seen Jodie be too OTT in her performances, she seems well able to control her natural ebullience when on stage and role playing, which suggests to me she can act. Why should her off stage personality should stop her being Nancy? After all you don’t have to be unpleasant in real life to play a villain, that’s what acting is all about.
I'm surprised how many people seem to think of Nancy as older when in Dickens Novel she's 17. Having just finished reading it I really can't see Jodie in the role even though she's probably the best one left. Jessie's mannerisms are starting to annoy me a little when I watch her. They would be fine I think if you only saw her once in one show. I would have to support Sam out of the three, she's impressed me almost every week.
I feel Barry's lascivious and superficial comments have really been a downer on this series. It feels that the other two members of the panel are carrying things and that there is a tension when he speaks. It's a shame that we haven't seen more of the girls playing Nancy in the show context, so we can judge what they would be like. Having songs or doing tasks that 'show a certain side of Nancy' isn't the same as the real thing.
On Saturday I saw Rachel in a different light. She really outshone Jessie in their duet. I agree her Cabaret was a revelation. Samantha was OK. Jodie is still my Nancy.
Have they changed the wardrobe designer? They looked OK on Saturday. What has JB done to his hair?
Hannah I complained about BH's comments. There were other complaints, he got better for a couple of weeks. Then 27th April he was back to his ususal comments. This is the reply I received on 24th May to my complaint sent on 27th April.
'Thanks for your further comments regarding BBC One programme 'I'd DoAnything' as broadcast on 27 April 2008. I understand that you have ongoing concerns with the conduct of BarryHumphries on the programme. I'd like begin by apologising for any offence that this has caused you. I'dalso like to assure you that I've once again registered your complaint onour audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBCstaff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllersand other senior managers and the audience logs are seen as importantdocuments that can help shape decisions about future programming andcontent. All feedback we receive, whether positive or negative, is alwaysappreciated. I can also advise that on this occasion your further comments have alsobeen passed on to the production team responsible for the programme. Thanks once again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns. Regards Sean MossBBC Complaints.'
I was really very angry that ALW chose to save Sam over Rachel. There may well have been some game-planning going on based on the fact that Rachel has been in the bottom 2 a few times but there is no question in my eyes that Rachel was the most suitable and able for the role of Nancy. Jodie seems to convince she can act through song (although I find her emotions very generalised) but in the brief clips we've seen, I don't believe she will deliver dialogue well and also struggles with the accent (very obvious blunder of saying a northern chAnce instead of charnce in Consider Yourself a few weeks ago).
As for Sam and Jessie, nice voices, but not actors. It usually takes a musical theatre song to separate the men from the boys so to speak and you only needed to watch Defying Gravity to see how inexperienced Sam is as an actor. I have no doubt she'll be great if and when she fnishes her training but there is a reason why people spend 3 years training and Rachel's performance of Cabaret (and indeed Sarah's of Maybe This Time) was proof of that. I am somewhat disappointed that Scott seems not to separate Rachel and Sam into the 2 completely different leagues to which they belong. Whilst I appreciate you didn't warm to Rachel's 'style' of performing (as clearly many of the public didn't) surely you and the panel should be able to see how much more able she is to take on the role.
I find all the comments so interesting. So many people have a different point of view about all the girls. Of the performances this week I found Jodies by far the most heartfelt. Every week I think I have said I can see that Rachel is a really good actress and am sure she will do well, but I don't warm to her. For me the most important aspect of Nancy is that her death can break your heart, and I don't think I would feel that about Rachel. To be honest of those left Jodie is the only one that makes me feel anything. I don't think that Samantha is ready for such a raw part yet, and Jessie as has been said needs a lot of formal training before she takes on a role like this.
I think this is the biggest gamble of these shows so far, as I don't think there is a stand out favourite and a lot of people will only see the show if their favourite wins! As I said interesting.
I agree with Pauline2's comment in that people have such different views as to how Nancy should be that there is no outstanding favourite. In fact I dont think any of the finalists is perfect for Nancy as Connie and Lee were for their roles and we are just going to have to make do with whoever wins and hope that when the time comes she can give a moving and convincing performance. It doesn't seem to be affecting advance bookings though so CM and ALW win whateevr happens. I thought Rachel did so much better this week but I still didn't warm to her and I'm glad I don't have to see her in the part. JB was quite nasty to Jessie and poor girl obviously thought she was going to go as did I. She's always been my choice as I think she's a bit different. That dreadful sound Jodie made on hearing she was through was ugly, unecessary and cringe-making. ALW & CM had clearly discussed sing-off permutations and what to do and I'm not surprised Rachel went from the 2. Anything could happen next week as not sure who Rachel's votes will go to, or if her fans will even bother to vote for another - if its not Samantha and as she was in the bottom 2 this week she may well be the first to go - and J&J go head to head in the final Jodie will know she is not C Macs choice (I agree with him re the Matronly remark). Jessie still has my vote (I know I'm probably in the minority here) and I will vote for the first time next week as, as I said I think she has a freshness and something different about her. With 6 months to go her failings can be worked on. Jodie is to OTT for me, not vulnerable enough and and Sam too polished. Anyway after Saturday I will soon have forgotten the series and can only look forward to the casting of JCS if that is the next in line. PS. Having seen Gone with the Wind last night I thought the actress playing 'Scarlett' would have been an excellent Nancy!
Jodie has to win surely! I was very surprised that Rachel left due to how strong her vocals are and would have been interesting to see her in the final. Its not who has the most talent it's who is best for Nancy and to be honest an Irish Nancy or a 'hot' Nancy wouldn't work so it belongs to Jodie! Good Luck girls!
If people are going to start being picky about not having an Irish or 'hot' Nancy, I have to be brutally honest and say that I really don't think a large Nancy would work either. This woman is meant to be a poor, Victorian Londoner. Maybe Jodie would be better for Mrs. Corney (Mrs. Bumble).
I thought Saturday was an interesting show... I thought Rachel gave a very good performance and i am not usually a fan! I thought Jessie was great and for some reason JB has gone from being supportive of her to actually being unnecessarily harsh I think!I didnt think Sam was that good and I thnk Jodie was great. I was pleased Sam was in the bottom two and being honest, was pleased rachel was too. BUT Sam should have gone... Rachel was much stronger... looking forward to next week though :)
I have enjoyed this imenselly and liked jodie and through that she is nancy from the first episode she shows all the qualities to make a perfect nancy, she has my vote
good luck jodie
There is no other choice for Nancy than Jodie, she has everything. You can understand what she sings, says and has teriffic stage presence.
Samantha is a good singer, but she would be better in something like 'We will rock you'.
I can't comment on Jessie, she keeps saying that she was rejected for musical theatre school twice........well maybe she should take a step back and have a good long look and then maybe she can see why!
She can sing, but her acting and her ungainly dancing lets her down.
And as for the comment on having a 'large' Nancy, I say go for it Jodie from all of us 'largies'...LOL
It's a fallacy to say all poor people would be skinny. All right, those living at starvation level would be but those, like Bill & Nancy, who had a bit of money coming in, would have filled up with cheap, starchy foods and so may have put on weight.
Well for me there has only ever been one choice, Jodie. Right from her first audition when she had the panel in fits of laughter she immediately caught my eye. She's funny, warm, kind hearted and just wants the chance to play this fabulous role and I for one shall definitely be voting for her on Saturday. She has always come across as a normal down to earth woman who just wants this part, and not because she thinks she's better than all the rest either. I could definitely see her hitting Bill Sykes though! Good luck on Saturday Jodie and I hope your dream comes true and we see you on the West End Stage soon.
Who is playing Bill Sykes - Brian Blessed? It would need someone of his size to make it believable that he mistreated Nancy if Jodie was playing the part!
I'd like to comment from a potential member of the audience point of view. From what I've seen on TV on a Saturday night (and I'm well aware that what we get to see on TV is not the same as seeing the performance live) if I was visiting London for a few days and looked to see what was on I would react as follows.
If I saw Rachel was in a show I would only go to see it if it was a show I wanted to see and not because she was appearing in it. For me, she has always given very competent performances, she knows her craft well and any producer could be reassured she would deliver a good competent performance each night. But she never connected with me - I felt I was always watching someone doing a very polished performance but never seeming to come from the heart. At first I thought it was just me until I found others commenting on this blog saying similar things. I think it was a brave decision by ALW not to save Rachel but I think he was probably right.
If I saw Niamh or Sarah or Jodie were in a show then I would probably go and see it because all of them at various stages have made a connection, not always consistently, but enough to make we want to see more. They all have individual strengths in different areas. However, seeing them would not be a priority if I was on a short visit.
If Jessie was appearing I would go and see her regardless of what the show was, and that would be my priority. She is not the best actress at present and her movement has been awkward (though the glimpses the cameras have allowed would suggest it has improved quite considerably over the course of the series), but she has that indefinable quality that cannot be learnt, no matter how long you study at drama school, which makes her so compelling to watch, even now with all the acknowledged imperfections.
I wonder if ALW gets told what the voting figures are each week, either before or after he has made his choice. I'm sure the fact that Rachel had been in three sing-offs, bottom one week, had to have some bearing on what he decided last week-end. After all he has to think abut filling a theatre, and if the public have shown they don't particularly like an artist it might make it harder to put bums on seats. I wonder if that was partly behind his enigmatic comment "I have to think where this is going" just before he saved Samantha.
In any case, I hope all three girls give their best performances on Saturday night and that John Barrowman finds it in his heart to say something nice about Jessie to make up for his ill-mannered attempt at a cheap joke last week.
I do agree with the last posting about Rachel never connecting with me, plus I've always found her top notes hurtful to my ears. Samantha has a lovely voice and figure but could do with more training.
I agree completely with the comments on Jessie :
"If Jessie was appearing I would go and see her regardless of what the show was, and that would be my priority. She is not the best actress at present and her movement has been awkward (though the glimpses the cameras have allowed would suggest it has improved quite considerably over the course of the series), but she has that indefinable quality that cannot be learnt, no matter how long you study at drama school, which makes her so compelling to watch, even now with all the acknowledged imperfections."
However, I like the fact that she not so polished in her movements, it gives her an endearing character!
Jodie is also a great performer and I really can't decide who I'd like to see as Nancy - Jessie or Jodie. For different reasons - I think Jessie would really benefit from theatre school for a while anyhow, however her talent deserves to win; but Jodie I could see on the stage now as Nancy.