The Lord has said about how we have Judy Garlands image ingrained in us so if it's true I guess we'd all be looking at the same girl thinking they'd be the best match for Dorothy.
Last year I was pretty open to any age or look playing Nancy as her actual ballsy attitude was the only thing I was looking for in the end. But this year I think it's a lot harder to cast on looks, they have to pass as a young girl yet all are young women.

So out of the 20 girls that got to the final audition who would you like to see in the part regardless of voice or acting capabilities.

After seeing them all in their Dorothy gear for me Emma is how I imagine Dorothy to a tee.

Depends what look he wants - there's a few wholesome Judy Dorothys in there but a lot of Pippi Longstockings and he has blonde redhead and brunette choices too. If you look at the photos there's a look that keeps on turning up so that might be it. Thats one reason why its a mystery why Amy who is not only older but doesn't have either look is there and Katie who does isn't.

I wasnt surprised they picked Amy, as they all said they agreed on 5 of the girls and there was some argy-bargy over the others so there was bound to be a trade off and luckily for Amy she must have had a very staunch supporter on the panel of judges to get through, JP I suspect.

the problem is, that no matter how strong her voice is, I dont think she will get the public behind her when faced with more traditional " Dorothy's" I think that was a completely wasted place in the final 10. I think her voice is very good , but she falls down on her looks and age. She possibly could have given Jodie a run for her money as Nancy

You can never tell with the voting public, if she gets slated by ALW and any of the other judges she will immediately become the underdog and you know how the public love an underdog

I quite agree Amy would have made a good Nancy, Dorothy just can't see it.

Back to the OP question - I think, on looks, Camille or Stephanie, were closest. At the moment Jessica and Bronte are my favourites for the part, but I'm sure this will change several times over the next few weeks when we hear more of them.

I liked Jessica, but I can't see her as Dorothy yet. I think Sophie would make a nice quirkier choice for Dorothy though.

On looks alone Bronte or Jessica.

I thought Emilie looked quite the traditional Dorothy.

I know ALW has said very firmly that we should dismiss Judy Garland from our minds but, erm, didn't he say the same thing last year re Shani Wallis as Nancy?

I confess Jodie Prenger was always Nancy for me because she looked like a 'tarty barmaid with a heart of gold', ie Shani Wallis. It was a bonus that she had a great voice, and she was my favourite from the first show. I just couldn't cope with the idea of an Irish Nancy. I am shallow.

I have a track record in shallowness, too, since Connie Fisher was so obviously Maria, and Lee Mead a shoo-in for Joseph (although Daniel did give me palpitations, but that's another story). It's like the Battle of the Clones.

Watching the first programme of Over The Rainbow, my heart sank as I feared I would have the same typecast mindset problem. I was immediately drawn to Stephanie and Danielle precisely because I could see that young Garland factor in them. However, there are some other fantastic voices in this line-up and Lord knows Jessica can act as well as sing. I love her quirky quality, too. Then, on the second of the shows, I was also impressed by Sophie and Jenny (a surprise spurt from the back of the field). Oh, and Bronte is good, Lauren and Amy are beautiful... have I left anyone out? Oh yes, Dani and Steph. They're not bad, either.

It's quite a dizzy feeling not having a favourite right from the start of the show, but maybe I'll actually find myself picking somebody other than the immediately obvious Judy Garland look-alike.

I am really looking forward to this series.

Thats about my list, some have the look, some have striking voices and stage presence, some may be able to act it if we are allowed to see . Steph has most things and a bit more experience if he wants someone safer. Problem is as its looking so equal unless someone shows something is very lacking I am not sure if this weeks evictee might not be next week's great performance or if the public is going to get behind anyone. As running order and songs decide votes too its very open to manipulation or sheer chance.

The lack of a clear winner might on the other hand be a good thing as it will stop the public voting for the last version they saw or the one with the reality TV story. Its going to be important to get it right though because this role is much more of a leading lady role like Maria and they are asking someone much younger to play it.

Danielle

You're forgetting the role ALW and his machinations will play. There's no way he doesn't have a favourite. Whoever they are will get a free pass to the final. I reckon it's Stephanie.

I got the feeling that his favourite is probably Dani.

Stephanie has a great look and I think her singing is strong. Bronte, Jessica, Dani and Jenny have an interesting look too. He seems to beam most at Bronte to me and she's got an interesting CV too. Steph is the one with the most acting experience....

As you say there's always a way to get rid of people - Bojangles or Summertime again or one of the really difficult songs to sing and act - High Flying adored, On My Own or Roxie with the killer silences.......he can also use the doing the accent argument again and I am not sure how many of them can dance from what we have seen so far or their CVs. Logically there shouldn't be many peoplel who can do the whole set of things required and he can probably move it towards who he thinks fits the bill even if he's wrong.

A young Dorothy is a big risk - Helena did it after HDYSAPLM at 24

http://www.helenablackman.com/index....d=36&Itemid=77

Nancy Sullivan understudied it and played it when she must have been about 22 and now has her Dorothy lead (I think) Helen Owen as her understudy as Eponine - which may suggest some future castings.....

Rachel Tucker must've been 22/23 when she played Dorothy. I'm sure it was the last thing she did before IDA.

There are a lot of young girls this time. I'm always wary about putting girls so young in such a big role. Even if Jessie, Sam and Niamh had been better than Jodie, Sarah or Rachel in my opinion I would have still have worried how they would cope with the pressure of being the winner and all that goes with it. Jessie and Niamh in particular, they were young 18 year olds, Sam was less so but I really hate to think about what the tabloids would've done to her.

Lauren.

Jessica looks a lot like Judy Garland (and Liza Minelli)

From a purely physical point of view, Sarah is the most dorothiesque for me. But the voice put her out of the running.

Apart from her I think Danielle, Jessica, Steph and Emilie have very nice "looks" for Dorothy. Very young, but with a cheekiness and personality coming across.

Lauren or Emma if you're going for a sweet pretty Dorothy (which apparently they aren't, but we'll see how the cookie crumbles)

God bless Dani, I felt for her when Andrew was likening her to a farm girl. Mind you he was saying how suitable she was for the role, so I'm sure that softened the blow a bit. I know what he means though. There is something quite winsome about her. Maybe it's the dimple.

I got the same feeling. Although I can't really see her as Dorothy, but its early days so I guess we'll see.

Does anyone remember that Dorothy is actually from Kansas? I think all of these girls are far too painted up and scantily clad - sorry, they look like they're going out clubbing in Essex.

This is an appalling show. Total rubbish.

The girl who got the 11th card...

I'd say Jessica. She had a look of Liza Minelli tonight and as we all know Judy Garland was her mother and they had a similar look around the eyes.

I'd been racking my brains to think who Jessica reminded me of and it only struck me tonight it's Liza Minelli - probably helped by her starting off her performance draped over a chair.

Going on the 'whoever looks the part' factor, she's already won it!

I'd say Stephanie.