I'm not writing Keith off because of his lack of experience in acting. ALW knew the risk of someone 'green' to the business, like Keith, may well get into the final and win. The judges and ALW made the selections for the show and must have borne that possibility in mind.

It may well happen and he has 5 weeks to get it right. Not long, but when you consider the repitions over and over, it would be hard to end up not being good enough surely. ALW must know that he can 'nurture' the winner into the role or else he is a raving lunatic for even contemplating a newbie as Joseph and he must have more money than sense.

As someone said earlier, I think you've either got stage presence or you haven't and, for me, only Lee has it - and how!!

He lights up the stage when he comes on, I find my concentration wandering when Lewis or Keith are singing.

Ben is an all round performer and yes he can sing, his lowere register is amazing, this show will have have given him the platform from which he can go on to bigger and better things. He will have been spotted now by various producers chorogragphers directors etc and he will get his chance to star in the west end very soon, hes still only young though so he neednt rush things, he has all the basics and just needs to continue to get better and better and he will. lewis too eil go on to bigger and better things he needs to believe in himself more again hes very young and this show has given him a platform to work from a couple more years and he too will will be a well known west end musical star. Keith has the voice, and i think again with in the very near future could go on to ster in the west end, he hasnt had the training and the opportunities yer the other lads have had and he knows that but with hard work and determination he will get there,the public warm to him and thats a must for a west end leading role. Lee, well what can i say, hes won this comp, it was only a matter of time before lee got a leading role i the wes end, hes sold himself nw to all directors producers etc and if e doesnt make the big time noqw he never will. Im really looking forw3ard to Saturdays show now.

I suppose this has already been posted elsewhere here, but in case not - Ben singing Nessum Dorma:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWTgYA1Ppo0

I think he was just given some lousy songs in Joseph and probably lost confidence when he kept getting in the bottom two. But he was probably not right for the role anyway. He'll go on to do fantastic things I'm sure.

I still think this proves the problem with Ben's singing.

I agree his voice is weak

*waves to Cleo and Phil*

Keith has definately got an amazing voice and although his acting went up a notch on Saturday he still couldn't beat Ben in the acting sakes. BUT and a big but. Joseph is probably the first musical we all performed at school and even the bad actors got away with it so i think this role is something Keith could do froma singing and acting point of view.......But could he look 30 yrs older and not just look but carry off an older man's presence the way Ben did in the duet on Saturday night.

I too have heard that Lewis is the better dancer and he must be because of getting down to final 15 for Billy Elliot but as afriend pointed out Lewis has the better dancing technique but Ben has the natural love and rhythm for dance. Have alook at those moves and the way he bends and shapes his body in *do you love me* and I hope you will see what i mean.

Your old school stage production is a far cry from the West End - the audience are somewhat more expectant and demanding of perfection in a role - I most certainly am! Nice try. lol

well said!

No you misunderstand me - I really think the acting in Joseph isn't mega but I don't think he could carry off the stage performance of an older man - read my next sentence.

By the way i am not a Keith fan

To be honest I think that whatever their acting abilities, both Ben and Keith just look like teenagers... which is hardly their fault! I'm really not criticising either of them here - I did enjoy their duet, but I also found the father/son thing a bit weird when they look the same age.

There seems to be an assumption here that there are dozens of musicals opening up soon that will provide lead roles for all the losers in this competition. What about all the jobbing singers/actors/dancers who have been struggling to grab a piece of fame? To lose out to someone with minimum singing ability like Ben or lack of charisma like Lewis - would be a bitter pill to swallow... During the clip of the visit to Lord of the Rings, I didnt recognise anyone in the show. Just another actor who got a lucky break.

For every Ben and Keith, there are hundreds more who have been plugging away for years....

Especially when the younger one took the role of the father.

I agree - a lot of musicals, if they are casting, will want people more talented than the likes of ben and keith, as ben is very poor vocally and keith is acting wise. to be honest alot of productions have stronger singers/performers than ben playing small roles!

[quote=Gellymiss;15031245]There seems to be an assumption here that there are dozens of musicals opening up soon that will provide lead roles for all the losers in this competition. What about all the jobbing singers/actors/dancers who have been struggling to grab a piece of fame? To lose out to someone with minimum singing ability like Ben or lack of charisma like Lewis - would be a bitter pill to swallow... During the clip of the visit to Lord of the Rings, I didnt recognise anyone in the show. Just another actor who got a lucky break.

For every Ben and Keith, there are hundreds more who have been plugging away for years....[/QUOTE]

And how do we know they didn't auditon for Joseph but were turned down?

[quote=twingle;15035853]
Some may have done, but many won't have been in a position to give up their jobs to devote so much time to this without knowing how it would turn out. I'd imagine it's quite a risk for someone already in 'the business' from a practical and personal point of view.

[quote=Phil2003;15036075]
I agree - I think Lee has said that he took a big risk, giving up his understudy part.

[quote=Phil2003;15036075]
Plus there is a snobbery involved with auditioning to be on a reality show. Most professional actors would be embarrassed to do it. Just look at the comments from the mission of Lord OTR. They're going to give whoever wins a tough time.....

The one with the slicked-back hair has a GREAT voice. The shaggy guy, almost as good. Ben's not even close.

Yes, I agree that the other 2 are good... I think someone said one of them is in the final of the Grease thing on itv???

Whoever wins on Saturday it is not a guarantee of success! - it is where the hard work really begins and I doubt Andrew Lloyd-Webber will sign a long term contract with the winner as he will want to see proof of what they can achieve and do!

I'm not convinced with any of the final three as Leading Men- perhaps with two of them it may develop and come!

Nobodys ever guarenteed success though are they - winning the comp will be a huge step for whichever contestant who wins, and a great experience for them.