Yes, he is my favourite! I also like the boy that was standing in the middle during Can You Feel the Love Tonight.

I don't know how old Oliver is meant to be in Dickens' novel. Mark Lester was 10 in the film (he's the same age as my mum I realised!)

Chester, Laurence and Jonny .. from what I have seen
feel sorry for Sam as he is too like (in looks) to Gwion (sp) that he may be wasting his time and be totally over looked, although all the boys deserve a chorus part on the show as a Fagin gang member or work house orphanage boy

I don't think Harry looks as public-schooled, but Joseph/Alex/Jonny/Laurence definitely do. Chester really doesn't, though - another reason why he's my favourite.

I've heard the remaining boys will all become part of Fagin's gang. It makes sense really; they've invested quite a lot in these boys already.

Oooh, someone on a Youtube video brought up a good point - even though there will be four kids selected as Oliver (one reserve), who will be opening night? That's the biggest responsibility for one of the kids, as all of the theatre reviewers will be there!

I had Alexander down as a definite Oliver before, but think tonight wasn't at his best I think the winners could be Gwion, Chester and Jonny/Harry with Alexander as a reserve.

EDIT: Some of the kids really looked like they didn't care last night, namely Jonny and Sam. Do you think the four children not going through have been pre-warned?

I hope they have been. It still seems cruel to me to have these children's hopes paraded then dashed each week. But I am soft.

I wasn't really bothered about the Olivers until last week, when I found out that Chester goes to the same school as two of my children.

I'm glad he's receiving great comments - I only hope the 1000+ kids at the school feel the same way!!

Gwion is the only one who has the ahhhh factor.

I find the quest for Oliver more interesting than Nancy, as there are quite a few boys that are good enough to be Oliver. However, I think a lot of work needs to be done on the group singing because the boys are a lot better in their solos than when singing all together.

I would say my three favourites are Chester, Laurence and Kwayedza. Although while Kwayedza is talented, I don't think he is suitable for the part of Oliver. I think both he and Harry are perhaps better suited to the part of Artful Dodger, both vocally (due to their age they both have deeper voices, perhaps too deep for Oliver) and I think they both exube natural confidence.

Out of the ones left, I definitely want Laurence to go through. Like Alexander (although Alex didn't show it so much yesterday), he is obviously had singing lessons, and has good vocal control.


I wondered that. I know Jonny is quite popular, but I can never warm to him because he often looks so disinterested. I'm not sure if it is less cruel if they knew in advance.

I would definitely be surprised if Chester isn't one of the final oliver. Similarly, I am relatively sure that Sam and Joseph won't be going through to semi-finals.

I agree with you Beverley... Gwion really stands out from the rest and whenever I see him I see this guy....

http://www.bebo.com/FlashBox.jsp?FlashBoxId=5036853668&

I think Gwion is the most adorable one there, and from his bit in 'Hard Knock Life', he's not sounding that Welsh anymore!

As much as I want him to get the part, not sure he could do the opening night yet.

Well, until yesterday I thought Alexander was one of the best - but he seemed quite nervous and he's sung better previously. I think the best one right now with the complete package is Chester. I'm almost certain he will be chosen as an Oliver and wouldn't surprise me if he's the opening night one.

I used to like Jonny, but the way he is seemingly disinterested/vacant/self conscious/nervous or whatever is putting me off slightly. I think he has a nice voice and he would have more stage presence if he just put in more natural enthusiasm. All of them looked tired yesterday though - bar Harry (who always seem to put in his all). I hope Harry goes through; I think he deserves the semi final even if he isn't as suited to Oliver as others.


I find the Olivers infinitely more interesting than the Nancys who are all being a bit insipid right now. But I do wish they'll give the Olivers more songs like Electricity, where you can clearly hear how good they are and give them a bit more time on their own.

I agree that Harry is more suited to a more confident type of character. My perception of Oliver is a boy who is quite posh & noble by birth, is introspective & sensitive and has a strength of character but looks outwardly weak & even a little effeminate. Harry & Kwayedza & Jordan are all a bit too confident/boyish for that, imo.


Yes! That's what I've started to notice over the last few weeks. Laurence didn't leave a big impression on me in Electricity but I have subsequently noticed that those two have the most carefully trained and controlled quality to their voices - compared with, say, Chester, whose breathing techniques etc are still a bit erratic. I'd like to hear more from Laurence.

As for Gwion, I'm afraid I haven't warmed to him at all. I know why people would find him so hopelessly cute, and I do think he is... there's just something about him that bothers me slightly. I think he'll make a competent Oliver but I don't think his singing is quite as strong as the others yet.

My pick is Chester (definitely), Alex (despite the not-so-great performance) and probably Jonny (if he goes through) or Laurence (ditto) or Harry (even if he's not the archetypal Oliver!) or maybe Gwion.

I just cannot warm to Laurence! I love his voice, I think it's fantastic, but I don't get anything else from him. I suppose when he sings, it's just that, he sings. He doesn't, to me, seem to act the part as well. I wouldn't mind if he was through next though, I just want to see his acting ability as well.

Regarding Gwion, I've started to wonder if people would think he was so cute if it wasn't for his Welsh accent? I don't mean anything against Welsh people etc, but take the accent away and Gwion is just the same as all the other boys really, isn't he?

I'm still sticking by Jonny, although he does look pretty vacant sometimes, I do think he has one of the best voices there. If he doesn't get through to the semi-final I'll be disappointed, I've been backing him since week one!

I also agree with you Ashrell, the Olivers looked exhausted yesterday. I guess because the results show isn't live, they're probably singing around 8.30pm - 9pm on a Saturday night. I know that isn't particularly late but when they've been rehearsing all week, and then sat through the whole show and have then performed twice, and they're still young boys they must be pretty tired.

I've said this about Gwion before - I think his primary charm comes from his Welsh accent, so that if he is made to lose it for the production he would seem more ordinary.

By the way, the show isn't shot in sequence and the Oliver parts are all pre-recorded, apparently. According to someone who's been, they shoot the Sunday Oliver song first, then the Saturday group performance, then the performance with the Nancys, then they go into the live show with the Nancys.
EDIT: found the post with someone who went on Saturday. See post 41 on this thread:
http://forum.theinternetforum.net/in...topic=30859.25

Ah right, thank you. I think this explains why Alex seemed so nervous if he was, if you like, opening the show!

Camilla posting -

I'm still sticking by Jonny! Hopefully he'll get through this week. I have a feeling he might since he got very good praise from CM during their task!

Sorry but I haven't liked Jordan at all - he always looks way too "stagey" and annoys both me and my children.

Jonny is our favourite but I am quite concerned that ALW and CM maybe having to think about the boys heights now -if Sarah became Nancy some of the boys are nearly as tall as her now

Jonny

I think it's a pity how Joseph is always overlooked. He's by far the youngest there- he's only just ten- and people like Harry are nearly 13. Ok so he's not as confident as some of the 'stage school' types, but he has a lovely voice if you listen to him in the auditions and he certainly has the right look in my opinion.

So black people can only play pickpockets and baddies, not heroes

I'm really charmed by Joseph, it's really nice seeing him 'develop' each week. I really think that CM is investing more in HIM, since due to his age, he could remain in Oliver for a longer time than the rest. He could even play the role one/two years down the line - whilst for the rest of them, puberty would have struck them down.

I like Gwion and have done from the start - Harry is good as well and Kwayedza has a gorgeous voice - there is another one I really like but to be honest I can't remember his name - the names of the Olivers are harder to recall than the Nancys!

I really hope Harry gets through to the semi final soon. He's adorable

Jordan is the only one I haven't taken to. I feel horrible for saying that but it's the truth!

i like jonny but he doesn't look relaxed at all during performances, he always looks extremely tense. although i do think he has striking eyes! he'll be a model when hes older.

Lol, as the other poster said, he does look like billy elliot! who knows, if he can dance he may well get in!

Jonny looks sweet but sedated.

The little blonde boy, Sam, is - I fear - far too upper class-looking for the part. He'd get the absolute shit kicked out of him at that orphanage.

like many I am enjoying watching the Olivers more than the Nancys, I think they are all great and it breaks my heart to think of the 4 will be left out of the semis. I think that the decision not to put the boys to the public vote is right, can you imagine easch week "You are the two least popular Olivers" I would be a wreak! It's bad enough for me with the Nancys .

The two that standout to me the most are Jordan and Harry - great performers and both are very charismatic, however at 13 Jordan it is possible he may be a lot taller and his voice broken by January when I believe the show opens. I hope he stays this side of puberty long enough as he puts his all into every performance and as he is now, I think he would be a great Oliver.

Although I rate all the Olivers (even Joseph bless him) I
have notice from week one, Jonny seems to give a rather lacklustre performance on the songs broadcast each Sunday, as if he didn't want to be there but his mum made him , he is better the Saturday performances particulary Electricity.