....is the name of the TV talent show whose winner will play Nancy in the
upcoming London revival of "Oliver!".
On the one hand, as I've said before, I've got misgivings about BBC
money being used to fund what amounts to an extended advertisement for a
commercial production. And the show - I got sucked in and I've been
watching it - has sometimes been more than a bit naff, and my inner
purist slightly frowns on the idea of casting a leading role this way.
On the other hand, both the finalists - Jodie Prenger and Jessie Buckley
- are spectacularly good. Buckley has the better voice, Prenger, I
think, is the better actress, but that's really splitting hairs.
Prenger is the winner - chosen by public vote - and I'm actually really
curious to see how she does in the show (and the show itself is not a
favourite of mine). She's terrific, my Inner Lancastrian is thrilled
that the winner is from Blackpool (she's probably the best thing to come
out of Blackpool since the Illuminations) - and it's also nice, for
once, to see the prize in this kind of competition go to a woman who
(how can I say this nicely?) isn't a stick insect.
--
Stephen
They say the truth will set you free, and I'm looking for the truth
in a maximum security prison.
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