Apparently he dropped out to do Joesph - that would fit because the audition dates do clash.

Interesting... the Ben fans are saying he dropped out and the others are saying he just didn't get through!

Well i def heard he didn't get picked.

First of all I want them to sing musical theatre songs and second of all I want to focus on areas that we haven't seen much of yet, or that are potential weak spots.

Lee - we've seen Lee do practically everything, from heartbreak (he's very, very good at heartbreak) to psychotic anger (pretty good at that too) . What we need to see is a big show-stopper piece, or something very light and comedic, something he hasn't shown us since Mac the Knife in week 1. I'd like to see him do a big number like Razzle-dazzle from Chicago, or perhaps Wilkommen from Cabaret. Or even the title song from Guys and Dolls. Or some Cole Porter (But I can't think of anything suitable just at the moment)

Ben - is turning into a superb performer, at least in the up-beat numbers he has been given in the last few weeks. We need to see, first of all if he can sing and secondly if he pull off something sad. If I really wanted to stretch Ben I'd give him 'if I loved you' from carousel. It is such a beautiful song, but one that needs to be sung so simply. Or, perhaps Maria from West side story, which takes a lot of skill. That said, I'm enjoying Ben at the moment and want him in for a little while longer, so I might compromise with Oh What a Circus from Evita, which is very different to the stuff he's been doing of late, but which I think he could do well.
Someone else mentioned Gethsemane, which would be a very interesting choice for him, I wonder if he could pull it off?

Keith - we know all about the big voice, so I don't think we need to showcase it. The worry with Keith is his acting. A big song and dance number, like the one's I mentioned for Lee would be interesting. I would challenge him with a dark, ironic song, something like 'if you could see her' from Cabaret. The other option is to go for something very grown up and suave, one of sky masterson's songs in Guys and Dolls, maybe My time of Day.

Craig - I like the idea of Mr Cellophane, but there are certainly more challenging options out there. What about one of the Judas songs from JCS? Or something from Phantom. Has he got that kind of range in terms of his acting? Craig's movement worries me as well, so perhaps something from footloose. I don't know why, but I've always wanted Craig to sing 'High flying Adored' from Evita, that's certainly back on safer territory.

Lewis - he's had plenty of earnest ballads, so we don't need to see that, and he's had upbeat poppy numbers too. Perhaps a big production number, 'I got rhythm' or something like that, or for something a little bit different, Sit down you're rocking the boat. I'd like to see someone sing leaning on a lamp-post from Me and My Girl, and Lewis would probably suit it the best.

Would quite like to see Lee do live and let die.

"Blow, Gabriel, Blow" would be just brilliant for him

Of all the big show stopper numbers, I think this might be the biggest and most show-stoppery of all He would bring the house down.

I would still like to see Lee do something from Phantom or the song from Miss Saigon - was it 'Why God'? that he did for his audition - which was stunning. Basically I would love to see them all do show songs because every time they do those - it is so moving - ditch the pop songs - give us the show songs.

Well he may surprise you or maybe not I am hoping the former. He may not have a huge range but he now has sorted out his breathing and pitch so with the right song yep he may surprise you

It is something he needs to do. I like being surprised.

And his friend told me he dropped out to do Joseph. Looking at last week i believe him, he is better than all the Danny's

I read earlier today that one of the Dannys from Grease (Danny B I think) goes to stage school with Ben and Lewis. I think that Ben is way better than any of the Danny's so can't believe that they threw him out

Probably because of his terrible attitude!

I am sure he wouldn't want to admit the truth to his friend(am suprised he has any though), he bitched at ALW because he was honest with him, plus, ben has such a high opinion of himself, he'd never admit he got the boot!

Even those that have said Ben did/does have a seriousattitude problem sad that this was not the case in the beginning

What exactly is it that has marked Ben for life as having a terrible attitude?

All I heard was him say that Webber didn't understand his performance on the week of Addicted to life - is that it? Seems fair enough as all the panel praised him that week - I didn't understand what Webber was picking at either. If Ben didn't get it then he's got a right to give his opinion surely? Have I missed something?

Other than that he's shown amazing resiliance and determination to turn 2 singoffs, constant criticisms from the panel and the worst odds, into being second favourite to win. Frankly thats the kind of attitude I want in a leading man - one who can take criticism and use it to be great. Would you rather he just blubbed and whined like some of the others?

Oh yes! A lovely choice for him.

I want what I know I'm not going to get - all musical numbers; in fact, all songs by the same composer; actually all songs from the same show by one composer. And my choice is, Sondheim's Anyone Can Whistle, specifically (in order of number in the show):

Lewis - There Won't Be Trumpets (let's see if he can really rouse an audience)

Ben - Anyone Can Whistle (a real test of emotional delivery and musical line)

Craig - A Parade In Town (can he do brassy and swaggering?)

Keith - Everybody Say Don't ( a song needing attack and asperity, which is what he has to give sometime)

Lee - With So Little To Be Sure Of (he's a powerful performer but the big notes here look after themselves = can he deliver the appropriate delicacy and careful pacing?)

Well, that's me in my fantasy world - anyone else want to try, say Kander & Ebb or ALW himself?
Last edited by Pasta : 24-05-2007 at 12:29

I have a friend that has worked with Ben on the show and said he has a terrible attitude - personally i think that is exactly how he comes across on the show too!

Is this the same *friend *who said the same about Daniel but when pressed couldn't actually give examples and then disappeared.

I appreciate you have the knife in for Ben as he knocked out your favourite Seamus but I do find it annoying that every opportunity you find you slag him off. i suppose I shouldn't rise to the bait as viewers are mature enough to make up their own minds

I don't know who you are refering to - my friend has never said anything about daniel to me other than he seems like a lovely sweet guy! She works backstage doing the make-up. I don;t dislike ben because of seamus, i just think he comes across as very arrogant, and i personally think the contestants should be grateful to be in the position they are in, as they have a great chance infront of them. Even iof they don't win they have got to train with some excellent people, and have got some good exposure. i appreciate you don't share that view, but, i am entitled to my opinion.

It's more the fact that you express it approximately once every ten seconds. I'd say you've played the 'Ben is arrogant' record about seventeen thousand times, what does it matter? All that matters is whether he can play the part or not. If you have doubts about that, then by all means, share your opinion.

Some could say that you have played the daniel is great and should have stayed record to death! his attitude does matter as if he got the role he would have to work with others as part of a cast! also, in my opinion ben is mr average - he has a good voice, he is ok at acting, is good at dancing, but he isn't great, amazing, wow, special. He also can only sing/perform upbeat songs which means he's not even versatile. that is prob why he has such a big chip on him shoulder in the first place.

He did "Anthem" from Chess in his audition - but "Why God Why?" is my favourite song for a male voice EVER (and I wanted Daniel to do it ).

I'd give it to Keith actually; seeing as how the whole character of Chris is about being young (and a bit over your head!). I also want him to do "Giants in the Sky" from Into the Woods.

Craig - Mr Cellophane is the best choice I've heard!

Lewis - I'd give him "Moving Too Fast" from The Last Five Years; though I still want him to do "The Street Where You Live".

Ben - Something from Rent. Probably "Your Eyes". Or maybe "Big News" from Parade.

Lee - "Johanna" from Sweeney Todd.

In Ben's case it worries me because he seems unable to take criticism and appears always to be very pleased with his performances, even though some have been seriously bad. So it worries me that he doesn't realise he still has HUGE room for improvement.