Lee Mead Forum

This has been posted on the Official Oliver Site. The winning Nancy will do the shows on Mon., Tues. and Fri. nights + Wed. matinee.

It reads as though this will be subject to change. "Until the show opens in December we cannot make a final decision on any additional performances."

So who will be Nancy for Wed. eve and both Sat. performances? Sounds very odd.

Weird does that mean that they don't like the finalists or that they intend to use two of the girls.?

If they use two of the girls that makes a mockery of the whole show. It's bad enough the Lee/Lewis situation, but for this to be announced even before the final has taken place makes me wonder if it even worth my voting.

I wont be voting as I don't care who I see play Nancy to be honest!!
I've always felt that Nancy is not a leading lady part anyway, it's a supporting roll!! The lead is Oliver or even Fagin in my opinion.

That's weird! I really hope they don't do a Lewis again!

So true Ange not really a leading lady role.

Didn't they try to do that with Connie though? Before she argued that she could do it? Or have I got my wires crossed here?

This is strange, wonder why they havent said anything about who is doing the rest??

Hmmm - very strange!! But it wouldn't suprise me at all if they get Jessie to do the other days - Cameron Mackintosh seemed to quite like her!!

LOL
Claire

Cameron Mackintosh was definately in favour of jessie. His last comment was very revealing as he didn't say he was pleased about the winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could be because none of the finalists are professionals. Also people are really seem to like Jodie or dislike her totally. I am not personally keen on her and would probably not pay West End prices to go to the show whereas I would for Jessie, RAchel or Sarah. Doubt it would be Rachel though as I have heard she is in ALW's thoughts for Phantom II. Not sure how true that is though.

I'm pleased for Jodie but would have been happy with any of the three in tonights show
I have tix but the 'name' for me in the show is Rowan Atkinson

I think I read somewhere today that ALW has decided to quit reality TV (or even all TV). Good. As I have said before, I'm so glad he 'discovered' Lee, but enough is enough. These shows are no longer working.

The artical I read I think said the he might go to America and give the uk TV a year off.
I think he was very lucky that the public saw what he had failed to see that Lee is extremely talented.
Lee would have had a successful career I'm sure but winning ADWD has given him the confidence and the exposure he would never have achieved in many years as an understudy or even as a leading man .
I liked Connie and am sure she will remain successful
but I cannot see her ever being as popular as Lee.
And Jodie will be good as Nancy but again I think she may have a more limited career.

I must agree with you all - I loved Jodie from the beginning because I warmed to her character, she just seems such a lovely lady! And I loved when she sang send in the clowns - I play that on flute sometimes :) But Tricia you are soo right...Lee's career will be lifelong purely because he is such a superstar whereas possibly the others may fizzle out..

I hope Rachel gets a chance with ALW because she was absolutely AMAZING when she sang Caberet!!


xxxxx

There is now a rumour that since the results the winner will do 6 shows to include the 2 Sat. performances.

What are 'they' playing at?

Hope it is true that ALW will do no more TV casting. I think there have been enough. Lee and Connie were a success but I am disappointed in IDA.

Won't be going to see Oliver. There is normally a touring production so can go and see that in my own area. More money to spend on Lee and John Barrowman.

Everyone is different. Lee's quite versatile on stage and can play so many roles. But I'm sure Jodie do well as Nancy for this run and can then move on to other things that aren't being harshly scrutinized by the public. I think she'd be great in a television comedy routine to show off that bubbly funny side.

I still blame IDA for being a step lower than ADWD and HDYSAPLM. The judges were inconsistant with their comments throughout the series. It makes the viewers even more confused about what to look for in the winning Nancy. Furthermore, if they got rid of Zoe than at least should have replaced her with a different vocal coach on the show.

Here's an article I found about someone else that ALW spotted.

http://strictlydancing.utopian-totality ... ew/7422/2/

Have to agree with everyone that ALW should stop after 3 shows because it loses the sparkle after a while. But I gotta admit I'm glad Lee was discovered by the public as he deserved that chance to shine (and for us to create this forum ).

Yeah, he said: "I am happy for Jodie", not "I am happy that Jodie will be Nancy"
I bet Jessie will play the other performances.
My fav was Jodie, so I'm happy that she won and will definitely go see her when I visit London again

Rosefire, thanks for that link, but isn't it highly unlikely for them to hire a 42-year old to understudy this part? Jodie has already been under fire for being too old, so why would they hire somebody 18 years older to be her understudy? And somebody who doesn't have West End experience either? Sounds crazy to me.

I've already posted this at the Loppies, but here are some more links and my 2 million cents LOL.

Roro posted this link about Rachel: Rachel link

I wonder if the change to 6 shows a week is a vote of confidence in Jodie's ability to handle more or if they just figured out that they'll make buckets more money if she's performing both Saturday shows. Could be a bit of both.

I'm not sure it's such a great idea for Rachel to take on the extra 2 shows. It might be better for her to distance herself from this production since she will undoubtedly get other offers now. OTOH, it's a West End job and a chance to solidify her ties with ALW, RUG and Cam Mac.

I think it's great that despite some of the harsh criticism the girls endured (as the Marias and Joes did before them), that ALW does go out of his way to nurture all of these talented people after the show is over.

However, I think there is an inherent problem with this casting process that was really highlighted this time by the divided judges panel -- there is a potentially huge gap between the winner's talent and his/her ability to perform on a West End schedule and to that standard. Connie struggled with it and got a lot of stick for her vocal injury and missing shows. Lee was able to handle it because of his experience -- none of the other Joes except Daniel would have been up to the job, especially with such a short rehearsal time and constant PR duties.

JB and DVO have been criticized for being too negative about Jessie, but they are the only 2 on the current panel who have performed regularly in MT over the last 10-20 years. Most of BH's stage success has been with his one-man shows. And frankly, he's been so useless as a judge, I'm tempted to discount him altogether. There are already plenty of dirty old men to be found on the internet, thank you very much.

I think it's very interesting that Kerry Ellis (Elphaba in Wicked) singled out Rachel and Jodie in this interview:
Kerry Ellis interview

And talked about the process in this BBC radio interview (IDA mention starts at the 6 minute mark):
Kerry Ellis BBC radio interview on YouTube

And here's Zoe Tyler being interviewed about it:
Zoe Tyler podcast interview at The Stage

All of these people who perform regularly chose Jodie or Rachel because they knew they could do the fricking job. And even ALW has said in the past that choosing the wrong person could do them terrible harm as a performer in these circumstances.

Experience and maturity really do matter!

Hi Rosefire,

That article was dug up a while ago, but rejected as unlikely. You never know though, do you?