I went to see Joseph and Sound of Music - couldn't wait - but this one so far has left me cold. I will still watch the tv show I admit - but there is no desperation to go see the show - not sure why - maybe the contestants are not that fantastic? Maybe it is because it is not ALW's show so the passion for it is not there from him? I don't know - but I doubt I will go see this whoever wins. Is it just me?

I think my going to see it depends on who wins. If Sarah or Jodie (and maybe Sam) win I'll probably make a trip to London next year to see it. If forum members are to believed though, it's already pretty much sold out for the first month or so?

yes if it is sown up and it is Rachel who won then I certainly would not pay out to see it - I would go see Billy Elliot instead - still if it is indeed sold out for the first month that is good - I still have no desire to see it though.

I'm going with my sister on 15th December. She doesn't even watch the tv, but she wants to go anyway.
I don't really mind who wins out of the remaining contestants, all the ones I strongly disliked are gone already.

I'd like to go and see it, will probably be too expensive for me but I'd deffinately go if I had the chance. For me i'd go and see if it if any of the girls got the part apart from Niamh probably.

I can't wait to see it! I love "Oliver!" and I am really looking forward to seeing Rowan Atkinson's Fagin.

However, I agree with you that IDA lacks something compared to HDYSAPLM and ADWD. All my family are big MT fans and we have loved the previous shows but have mixed feelings about this one.

We think it is because they are trying to cast someome different and have chosen a lot of inexperienced girls so the performance level varies a lot. Plus I think that the producers have got a bit lazy and this show is following what they think is a successful formula. There is less sense of innovation that we had in the earlier series.

I still enjoy IDA and have already bought tickets to the show but to be honest as a big MT fan I'd have bought tickets to a new production of "Oliver!" without IDA.

Yes, I booked almost straight away and I ended up with tickets at the end of Feb. I have always loved 'Oliver!' so would have wanted to see a new version of it anyway, but I must admit that I'm now a bit worried about which Nancy I'll end up seeing.

When I bought my tickets I was pretty sure that Fran would still be in the running by now (don't get me started! ) so now my only fave left is Sam. I would be quite happy to see Sarah or Niamh and maybe Jessie, but there are still a few left who I wouldn't be hugely keen on seeing.

I think it will still be a great production though, and am intrigued to see how Rowan Atkinson handles the role of Fagin.

fran is probably the only one I would have paid to see in the role

I feel the same. I've seen Joseph twice and The SOM but not really taken with this one --- yet and I don't know why.

Me! My friend and I have already planned to go; I've never seen Oliver as an actual show, only the film, so I'd love to see it, regardless of who wins!

That's one thing I'm not sure about... I love Black Adder a LOT, but I dunno how I feel about Atkinson portraying Fagin... If I end up going to see Oliver (which hopefully I will but, as you say, there are a couple I wouldn't be too keen on seeing as Nancy- especially not for £50) I'd be excited just to see how he handled the role.

Afraid I'm not a Rowan Atkinson fan and with Fran gone as well might just have to let this one slide

Yes, RA might be worrying - I think he is very talented (in Blackadder NOT Mr Bean), but I think he could overplay this -Ron Moody's still the best Fagin for me. Regarding the girls, the more I think about it, it is strange casting a role like this through telly. I'm beginning to think it really only works for leading lady/man roles. Will the chosen Nancy distract from the whole musical - in fact, Oliver is the more significant role in many ways. So, I'm really not sure about seeing it. I have seen theatre productions of Oliver before, the last one at the Palladium, and I love the film; I think one of the problems with these castings, is it is difficult if you really like a musical, then seeing people cast who you don't particularly like. I love the Sound of Music, but that was fine, cos I liked Connie cos she was the nearest to JA (not very innovative, but who can really beat Julie!); I hadn't got any feelings about the lead in Joseph, I knew the music but had not seen it live, so Lee was perfect for me as he was so obviously talented. With Oliver, I'm beginning to think that I'm looking for a Shani Wallis look/sound alike, who had the perfect mix of brassiness and vulnerability. Many of the contestants have one of these elements but not all. So Sarah has the vulnerability but not the braassiness; Jodie has the brassiness but not the vulnerability (cue posts from Jodie fans saying, 'how can you say that after 'send in the clowns'....). So I remain undecided.

Honestly, I think I'd only go see it if Sarah was in it.
I love musicals, but Oliver's not my favourite.

I always felt Oliver was far too depressing for a musical.
Also there are only two good songs in the show.
Still, That's one more than Evita I suppose.

I'm not a Rowan Atkinson fan, and I have always found Oliver a little depressing, but if Jessie or Rachel won I might make the effort.

If it gets OK reviews, and if Sarah/Jodie won, then I might.

Unless someone I particularly liked in the competition won (Sarah, Jodie or maybe Jessie - I'd go see Sam if she was able to prove herself with musical theatre songs more, as I think she shines in group numbers, but not solo), I probably wouldn't bother until I'd seen a lot of my other 'must-see' shows first - Les Mis, Billy Elliot, The Woman In Black, Evita. Once I'd seen those, I'd probably go see Oliver because it's a bit of a classic, not because of who won. But I'd bump it up the list if Sarah/Jodie won.

No, it's not just you......... I couldn't wait to see 'Joseph' and hoping to see it again, but have no inclination to see 'Oliver'. I don't like Rowan Atkinson at all, but apart from that, none of the wannabe Nancy's appeal to any great extent - some are 'good' but that's about all. They all seem to lack the passion the 'Joseph' boys had and (if I dare say it) they lack the talent as well.
Last edited by kaycee : 03-05-2008 at 14:56

The whole programme is a PR stunt to put bums on seats. I'm sure there are a whole host of hopefuls with MT experience, albeit as part of the ensemble perhaps, just waiting for a break. Can't see any reason other than publicity to pluck an unknown from nowhere and put her on the WE stage.

Makes the decision to send Fran packing even more inexplicable imo.

Personally i haven't rushed to see a show with a tv show picked lead in it at all - and won't do now. I tend to go see shows with a higher level of performers in them. I have recently seen Joseph though and Lee was good in it.

Ive already got tickets for feb!

I will, but i'd have to find out what nights Gwion does (he better get in or else!) and then i'd definitely go whoever wins.

I would avoid the nghts with Gwion f he gets in as you can't understand what he says or sings

Im seeing the last performance of the year (31st December 2008, evening performance) with my family.