I'd Do Anything (Live Shows Week 1)

[lizziec]

I recorded this on Sky+ and took notes as I watched, so here are my opinions of the first week of live shows. Unedited, as I wrote them at the time.

Jessie: Liked her so far (one of my favourites), and she carried off the song without any terribly bum notes. Don't think the song really showcased her well though.

Jodie: Also didn't like her song choice, but as with Jessie carried it off well. Overall, a good start to the live shows.

Tara: Had no opinion till tonight. Absolutely did not like her performance tonight - her voice (mostly vocal style) and "actions" when singing put me off.

Ashley: Seemed to smile all the way through the song. Somehow get the feeling that she would, no matter what the subject material. I dunno - just didn't connect with her.

Amy: Words run together - enunciation not great (imo). Didn't like the performance at all. Would maybe like to see her go home, but her performance was probably too good for that.

Keisha: Brilliant. I really enjoyed her performance. Disagree with Barrowman - didn't think it would be too sophisticated for Nancy.

Francesca: The meanie in me is sure she should be in - getting in even though she missed a large chunk of Nancy School because she was ill. It was a very "nice" performance (and technically good), but I can't imagine her as Nancy.

Rachel: This performance seemed a real mess to me. She never seemed quite on the note, and for the first half of the song her timing was off. At this point in the singing I feel that if there's any justice, she should be going home (though the panel don't seem to agree with me).

Samantha: She'll be coming back next week - her performance was techincally good IMO, though I'm not sure what I think of her as regards Nancy. Her outfit made me think that the reason Lord Lloyd-Webber liked her because of her outfit. It's times like this that I think that he's really just an old Letch.

Sarah: Seems very stiff in her mannerisms. Singing was good. Another one who I am not sure of as Nancy.

Cleo: Not a great start. The song seemed to be below the bottom of her range and she kept bottoming out. Top notes seemed rather screamed. Her notes never seemed quite right, all slightly off. Possibly a rival for Rachel for going home.

Niamh: Looks like she's wearing a wig and about 12. Also had pitch problems. Now believe it should be a three way tussle for going home between her, Cleo and Rachel.

The Olivers felt shoehorned in and I'm really not sure what I think of the people in charge of the wardrobe - some of the clothes on those Nancys were quite odd and rather unflattering (what was with all of those funny skirt hems that were sort of "gathered")

I sense this will be another series (like ADWD) where it feels like they should be making more use of show tunes and aren't, which I think will be a pity :|

[Edit - Sunday] So Amy went. Probably the right decision form the two that were left, and I don't hink she was going to win. Her performance on the night was pretty poor, but personality-wise, I think I prefer her over Francesca.

Comments

[alisondh.livejournal.com]

I agree about the show tunes. There were some great performances of rock/pop songs on ADWD - Lee singing Paint it black being the obvious one - but when you're looking for someone to play the lead in a West End show you need to know what they're like singing show tunes. IMHO!