The understudy thing might just be a rumour, but in that case I wonder if they'd take their geography into account - it'll be much easier for Alexander (London) or Chester (Middlesex) to be on stage at a short notice than Arthur (Bristol) or Jonny (Warwick) for example. But meh, Alex and Chester are way too good to be understudies!

Rewatched Where is Love and still think it is brilliant. lol about Gwion's Welshness unable to contain itself. I'm still not quite sure what to make of him - he doesn't evoke the spontaneous "aww" feeling with me, that he seems to with others. Still, he is extremely striking and has a very sweet, sugary voice.

Harry has come up heaps in my estimation - he was definitely one of my favourites, though he wasn't one of my favourite for the role; but now I think he'd do a great job as Oliver. A bit different to the conventional but I'll be really interested to see what he can do. He sings out of the side of his mouth though - they should put him with Jessie lol!

I also completely agree that Laurence has come up a long way, and as much as I hate the cliché, in his case the word 'journey' is fitting. He was definitely the dark horse - not a standout to begin with (except to the perceptive Jocko Homo ), then surprised everyone with such a fantastic voice. I particularly feel that the fact he has never had any acting lessons is admirable - even from the few second clips we've seen, his acting is so convincing and believable; he just seems suited to the character of Oliver in every way. Good job Laurence!

I've also just rewatched some of the earlier performances like Pie Jesu, Electricity, A Whole New World etc with a whole new light, and I've discovered that I'll never be able to watch it again without feeling heartbroken for the ones that didn't make it. I'm never usually this soft but I think I've just been investing waaaay too much emotionally for these kids!

Oliver is no wimp either. He can still be cheeky. He's the only one who asks for more, isn't he, then gets locked up in an undertaker's, then walks/begs the 70 miles to London. I think Harry's fine for the part. Oliver's strong and charming, just not streetwise. That's the main difference between him and Dodger, and its why both Nancy and Dodger look after him. They wouldn't get bothered by a pathetic waif. Dodger's so far down the wrong track, he's never going to get saved. Oliver is still innocent, so he can adapt to either the life of crime, or the life of riley.

Haha, I hope they do put Jessie with Harry, that will be so much fun to watch!
Re your last paragraph: I feel completely the same, watching (or even just hearing) back those performances makes me sad now too. Listening to Electricity on my mp3player a few hours ago left me feeling all melancholic (oh, good times... ) But then again; I've always been soft

Surely they all understudy eachother?

I know there are limits on the amount of hours they can work etc, but the production would be pretty foolish to make them work the maximum AND have an understudy.

Just my opinion

Does anyone know how it works for Billy Elliot and The Lion King regarding child understudies? There are a few understudies listed for the adults but not for the children (although there are five of each as opposed to three).

Maybe the members of Fagin's gang understudy Oliver/Dodger?

I didn't really mean this forth boy would be an understudy. If I remember correctly, something was stated about a forth boy being selected in case one of the winners would be unable to play the part permanently. For instance, because his voice breaks within the next 6 months, or something like that.

Performing kids always understudy each other. All over the world and in every production, if I'm not mistaken.

Your right, I misunderstood

Personally I would feel better that the 4th one is not announced unless he is needed. I'm not sure why, I just feel it would be better.

You're probably right about that, but curiosity gets the better of me with these kind of things. And I do wonder whether or not this forth boy (assuming the rumour is in fact true) knows himself that he is... I hope not...

Oh, you're right - it was a 'reserve' rather than an 'understudy'. Maybe they'd train up a few reserve Olivers for the second generation (i.e. after Harry/Laurence/Gwion finishes their (presumably) 6 month run) who can act as a reserve for the first lot if something unexpected happens.

Yes! 'Reserve' was the word I couldn't think of anymore!
That's what you get when foreign girls are trying to ask smart questions...

Well,

I think the 3 olivers were a good choice,although it will be interesting to see if Gwion retains his accent.

As it wasnt so pronounced in where is love

I'm sure the 12 will all have great careers in MT

Having seen the boys' VT's on the website has any1 got a link to Laurence because we only see him getting told he's through. I'm after the one where he talks about himself.like Arthur and his skinny jeans lol

I shall be ordering my tickets soon,the 12 are so memorable and talented,it's been a pleasure to watch. Working with young people myself,it's so rewarding to see them acheive their dreams.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2SrFBo6Ah8

02:29 onwards

I just cannot believe that Chester didn't get through, he has the most beautiful voice and that otherworldly air about him which is fascinating to watch, real star quality. I hope the rumours are true and that he does have a part in Les Mis.

Congratulations to the Gwion, Laurence & Harry, but I just can't understand why Chester wasn't cast, he always seemed an absolute cert. along with Gwion. Also, Harry seems more like the Artful Dodger to me, he is more cheeky and confident.

Maybe we should set up some kind of support group. At the front of the room, we'll have a big picture of Chester performing Pie Jesu. (Ahhh, they were happy times.)

And maybe the Olivers, who let's face it owe us, could visit each week to update us on their wonderful lives and reassure us that it wasn't traumatising and that they're all incredibly happy. After an appropriate period of healing, their chaperones will serve us with restraining orders.

I actually like all three choices having now watched them sing Where Is Love. I was initially annoyed that Alex didnt get put through and Gwion did. My favourite is Harry. I just find him so watchable.

It wouldn't really surprise me really. Look what happened with Nancy Nancy. Everyone was shocked that she didn't get through to the live shows, and then we find that she's been offered a role in another one of CM's musical (Les Mis).

LOL! Count me in Even after IDA finishes, I think we should all keep up to date with this thread and reminisce together about the good times. In all seriousness, I'm fully intending to follow all of their careers - should any of the others get another part in the West End/etc I'll make sure that I'll be there! If Chester really has a part in Les Mis (I'm a little dubious though, considering the rumour seems to stem from YouTube) then all the better because I was planning to see Les Mis again soon anyway ('tis my favourite musical of all time).

This is making me laugh so loud, I can't even type properly
*Later* Allright, I'm fine now .
Seriously though: I remember something that occurred here about two years ago. Fans (not YouTube-like groupies ) of a certain musical got as invested for the kids in that musical as we are for the Olivers. So they set up a website for and about these kids. Since I was one of the chaperones for those kids, I monitored everything closely (Scarlet O'Hara's remark about the chaperones serving us with restraining orders isn't even that far-fetched ) The whole thing turned out to be something wonderful. The kids themselves loved it, because even when their contracts were up, they still had a place on the web to re-read reviews and such and where people were still interested in them. They didn't fade into oblivion. Visitors could post their reviews on the kids in some kind of guestbook from which all negative remarks (and scary ones like on YT) were banned. Or maybe things like that just never got posted. I certainly never read any.
Parents loved it, because it was wonderful for them too to see so many people admired their children and soon all the parents and kids helped to keep the site up to date by sending in things like pictures and information about what they were up to. The kids even posted comments themselves.
I've been in contact with the webmaster more times than I can count to tell her she couldn't post this or upload that, but nevertheless thought it was a lovely initiative (And frankly, that she must have had way too much time on her hands )
Not saying we should do something like that though! But Scarlet O'Hara's post made me remember. It was very sweet.

About this support group thing, would it be something similar to the Jonny fan club I've been running throughout the course of the series?
Of course this support group would be for all the Olivers, but would it be along similar lines, with photos, news etc?


After being upset that Jonny didn't get Oliver, I can now understand why he didn't get the role and I'm happy that Gwion and Harry and Laurence were chosen.
I wasn't all that keen on Laurence but he's got such a beautiful voice it's going to melt many hearts during Where Is Love?

My friend wants to try and see Harry in Oliver! along with Jodie if she wins.

Definitely got to keep it going. Would be great to keep up with all the different projects the Olivers get involved in, i'm sure they will all have great futures. Some way of keeping track would be a great idea. Looking forward to the duets this week but don't really mind who wins now as Rachel has gone. Just hoping it isn't Jessie

I was totally kidding about the 'support group'.

But like Chaperone, Ashrell and other regulars in this thread, my best wishes go with the boys and I'll probably follow their careers with interest.

100% agreement Arty! I usually have to force myself to watch another Oliver because my eye is always drawn to Harry, who is usually obliging with a spot on facial expression or some comedy dancing. Love him. But love Laurence too. Alex would have been my third, with Chester fourth, but can completely see why Gwion was chosen now and he's grown on me over the last 48 hours. Still hoping I get to see the other two when I go but I'm happy for him. Reckon Arthur, at 10, and Alex, at 11 (?), could definitely still be Olivers and I'm hoping they will be. Do wish we'd got a few positive, affirming words about the 5 runners up from Cameron, as he did with the 4 boys last week. Thrilled for the winners and wishing the others well, they've made the show for me and my family and I'm sure they'll all do marvelously well. Now. How does one go about adopting an Oliver?

Well, if the boys really do all end up on the West End, I must seriously consider relocating to London...

Lee Mead is reported to be singing with the Olivers this week.

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.c...the_final.html

Hmm, interesting. But to God I hope they won't be doing Any Dream Will Do with the kids doing the "ahh-ahh" bits!

I wonder if the 5 boys will get some solos/a bit more recognition this week? I just think they were kind of brushed aside, and I would love to see Cameron commenting on them/them giving a few comments about the experience, like the other 4. Wishful thinking though, probably.