Yes. I think they should play this up - the fact that it takes hard work, persistence and effort to achieve this standard of performance. It didn't magically happen overnight. We do love an underdog in the UK (Craig xx) but they've got to be capable of doing it. In real terms it's an exhausting prospect they've got ahead of them and people's expectations are high. Being 'green' and without some form of previous training/experience would be foolish for all concerned. Having said that, Rob's doing quite well so far so maybe enthusiasm is the key !

That said: LOL - You've got to be in it to WIN IT!

Rubbish! At what point did they say this audition was for amateurs? Any professional actor who wanted to play the role could have turned up (if they were prepared for public humiliation if it all went pear shaped).

As I said last year, Elaine Page (if she had been younger) could have turned up to audition for Maria.

Personally I admire Lee for putting his reputation on the line. This is a very public audition process.

Oh yes, and the article says that Lee has been portrayed as a West End understudy. It then goes on to say that he has even played Pharaoh in London when the actor was sick. Um ... so he was an understudy then!
Last edited by WillowFae : 28-04-2007 at 21:35

I don't think it matters where they've come from because let's face it did any of us know any of them?

Having some experience is no guarantee.

Lee is very talented but Seamus had experience and he's gone.

Any of the finalists could win it.

What utter twaddle these people speak. It was made clear in the very first show that he had understudied in the West End and anyone knows that you don't get to be understudy of a major production without having some pretty decent professional work behind you first. As if they are going to take any old someone and understudy them for the lead in Miss Saigon (or whichever show). The media have obviously decided they don't want Lee to win so are trying to get thepublic against him so that Rob the builder - the people's champion - can win instead. Regardless of who is right for the part or who is best.

Well he isn't with the bookies - he is currently laying 8th at around 14/1.

Lee is favourite with Daniel second.

Yeah I was amused by this as well.

I loved the quote "A colleague said last night: "When I heard Lee made it to the final I was angry. It is assumed they'll be amateurs and hopefuls. The public are being misled."

They missed out one word "A jealous colleague said last night: "When I heard Lee made it to the final I was angry. It is assumed they'll be amateurs and hopefuls. The public are being misled."

Ladies and Gentlemen, the ego has landed!

God, I love this industry sometimes. It gives me so many laughs.

I would like to ask said jealous colleague: "How precisely do you think that I, as a viewer, am being misled? Do you take me for a complete cretin? Are you seriously suggesting that Mr. Amateur Dramatics can hop on a West End stage and carry 8 performances a week?"

Well said! Personally as a viewer it doesn't matter to me if the contestants have had professional experience - it's possible to get quite far without ever quite making it. Maybe there are viewers who are more concerned with 'rags to riches' story of some poor boy who has never sung before making it on to the West End stage but let's face it that isn't very likely is it!