I was disappointed with Danielle's OTR. Her voice just didn't seem up to it and the transition from her chest to head voice was too noticeable. I would have though she would have compensated for this with her acting, but I felt she "presented" the song rather than acted it - perhaps because she knew vocally it wasn't that good. I was just let down. I am sure she will do well in the WoO, but hope they get her a good vocal coach for the next 10 months (which obviously they will) otherwise the main song of the show will be a let down.

I think by the time the show opens her OTR will be flawless. The difference between Jodie's 'As Long As He Needs Me' was astonishing, as hers was pretty damn fine to start with.

Kind of exactly what I expected to be honest.

When you choose someone you choose their weaknesses as well as their strengths.

I wasn't too impressed with it either but she has under a year to work on it, so it will be fine.

Do you mean the first time she sang it with Sophie, or the second time in the basket?

The first time really, when she was showcasing it. Second time in basket was almost irrelevant in the moment, so I won't judge that as harshly.

It was a disappointment but it didn't surprise me as we'd already seen the same flaws with On My Own. It does make me laugh that some posters are saying she went for a subtle emotive ending or that one note doesn't make a song when its so obvious that she can't transition between her chest and her head voice very well and her voice wasn't up to to delivering the soaring powerful end note that most of the others delivered beautifully.

A year of vocal coaching will hopefully sort her out

Good point - succinctly made.

Compared to a number of others Danielle's vocals weren't strong, but her acting and stage presence more than made up for any perceived weakness.

Furthermore in WoZ Dorothy has only one major solo - whereas good acting is prerequisite of the role, so not only will she be fine in the role, the fact that her ability is not confined to one discipline bodes well for the future of this talented young lady.

I didn't like her OTR. I thought she over-acted it, it was almost angry and frustrated in parts, and I much preferred Sophie's innocent, dreamy version.

However Danielle's other talents more than make up for her vocal weaknesses. I would have hoped that singing OTR well would be the minimum requirement for a prospective Dorothy, however Danielle has many months of training to come and I'm sure she'll be perfect by opening night.

I suppose it's all down to personal opinion but I did not think she was a good actor. There was no variety- isn't that the point of acting, that you can do more than one emotion? I expect more that someone blinking at me, raising their eyebrow and then rolling their eyes at me.

I didn't rate Sophie or Lauren for acting either, - it is a shame we didn't get to see everyone acting earlier in the competition.

Like others have said, there is so much time until the show.

I saw Lewis as Joseph and the difference between his Close Every Door on the show and on the West End was astonishing!!

I liked it, I thought it was believable unlike Sophie's version. As ALW says she acts from the soul.

I liked Sophie's performance in the studio better but much preferred Danielle's scene on the farm which culminated in OTR. And that's how it's going to happen in the West End Show. The song will be an integral part of the story as opposed to a number performed on its own without any connection to anything else.

This To me, Sophie sang it as herself but Danielle sang it as Dorothy.

Well perhaps you are not a singer yourself!

When the nerves hit you, your diaphragm goes, which is absolutely essential for support. Singing without support is like running on an athletic track without shoes. (Only Zola Budd did it.)

Sophie had nothing to lose - she had not expected to get so far, but Danielle had all the pressure, knowing that she was the favourite and was expected to win. Her heart must have been thumping around 200 or something. Hence nerves etc

I think she managed to hold herself together superbly. Remember she will have weeks of specialised coaching in singing and acting before she goes on stage - and if her young voice is strained, there will always be a professional singer as understudy (remember "Maria"?)

She will also have the rest of the cast to support her and be performing in front of hundreds,instead of this unnaturally fierce one on one competition in front of millions.

Let's give the girl a break.

Why are the Brits always so mean to competition winners?
I can never understand this.

Amazing how Sophie has nothing to lose when the poor girl is singing for her life.

But when Danielle hits yet another bum note she is somehow adding individual colour or her own unique interpretation to the work.

You really couldn't make it up.

You don't need to be a singer to appreciate a singer's performance. Why do singers always feel like their opinion is more valid when judging performances? We can all hear and judge, thank you very much.

As for saying Sophie had nothing to lose - Danielle may have been the bookies favourite but Sophie has loads of fans, and many thought she may have won. Both had equal pressure - the role of their lives at the end of the competition. Both wanted it. Both deserved it. Why does Danielle escape all possible constructive criticism because she was the bookies favourite? She'll be on a west end stage 8 times a week, THAT'S pressure! Surely if she can't handle the bookies, she can't handle the West End?

Your argument just didn't make any sense at all.

Exactly.

I'm not a fireman but I know when a bloody house is on fire.

I love it.

I was not really a fan of any Dorothy throughout the series and thought several were really good (Danielle was never one of them tbh), but I really don't get the people standing up for Danielle's performances of OTR.

At least be honest. She sang the song twice and didn't crack it either time.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this series called OTR and isn't OTR 'the big song' in WoO that the paying theatre audience will expect to be thrilled by - which is why the eliminated Dorothys sang that song as their swan song?

I agree that there is time enough before the opening night for a vocal coach to improve Danielle's performance, but it was very disappointing not to be blown away by the the winning Dororthy - and I was willing her to do just that.

Perhaps the bum note was so subtle you just wouldn't understand. Perhaps you lost your way somewhere in all the glitz and glamour.

And perhaps you could scratch a rusty nail across a cheese grater and describe it as art.

Add being subtle as another reason to sing badly.

Hey you x

Danielle's studio performance of OTR wasn't the best of the bunch Buddy, but I still genuinely liked it

Plus it's only one aspect of the part, and Danielle's acting capabilities more than make up for not being the best (vocally) at that particular element.

I thought Danielle's OTR was much better than Sophie's. Her voice wasn't as powerful, true, but the way she presented it was much more believable. My husband, who only watches this show because I watch it and doesn't really have a favorite, said that it looked like Sophie was just singing it while Danielle just became the character.

Also, I was watching live via-webcam with a Welsh friend and her family, and they are big Sophie fans. Her Dad is apparently really into music and has strong opinions about singing. We were typing in the Skype chat as we watched the show, and after Danielle sang, I typed "Danielle wins" and my friend typed back "my Dad just said the same". And he's a Sophie fan.

It frustrates me when people seem to be all about how loud that last note in the song is, as well. As as been pointed out elsewhere on this board, Judy Garland didn't belt that last note either. I think pulling back on that note adds depth to the song rather than making it a standard belty power song. It's always about the acting for me. She sang it very well, I thought, but most importantly, she acted it, and for me, it was the best.

I've never really been convinced by Danielle's acting to be honest. I have a feeling it must come over very differently "live" which is all that matters as she'll be doing this on a stage.

Dorothy is definitely the least challenging part they have auditioned yet - Danielle will be fine. Definitely not my choice for the part and I'm surprised the public got behind her as she didn't show much personality, but she will still do a more than adequate job.