Does anyone know what height Sarah is exactly?
I mean is she something like 5'4 (like myself) and being compared with the others who are really tall (5'8 +) or is she really tiny (4'11 or something)

She's 4"11.

Thanks.

My 12 year old daughter is taller than her! I do think it it is a problem for Nancy especially with the taller Olivers, although she is my favourite singer. She is given 'Eiffel' high heels for the show but Nancy won't be in heels and I do see a problem there. Then again she was chosen for the final 12 so perhaps ALW and CM don;t see it as a problem.

Ah, I see - that's why she didn't appear all that small.
It's a pity that they don't put her in more flattering dresses though.

Some of the dresses shes had to wear Sack is the word that comes to mind....

The stylists don't have a clue what to dress her in.

Well, I'm short myself (though not quite that short) and I don't see it as a problem. What does it matter if Nancy isn't taller than some of the members of Fagin's gang? It's not as if she'd be mistaken for any of them as she obviously female and her costume will be designed to differentiate her from them.

I know, she's the kind of bodyshape that requires careful dressing. That sack thing she wore for Maybe this Time could not have been less suitable.

I'm another shorty and I really don't think that Sarah's height is a handicap.

Sarah has a great voice and good stage presence. I'm sure she'll do well in MT and will soon win a lead role even if she doesn't win this show.

Being petite did not stop Elaine Paige and neither is it holding back the fabulous Kristin Chenoweth on stage or TV.

Neither of them would have ever been cast as Nancy

Her height will not hold her back - but it will limit the roles for which - at this stage in her career - producers will be willing to consider her

I don't think height is an issue for most parts in the West End. Stage presence and talent can make up for it in abundance.

Height is almost always an issue in casting for the stage

It is part of the overall look of a show.

You can do things will high heels and lifts in shoes - but that only goes so far

Casting involves ensuring that the chemistry between the actors is right, that everyone has the skills for the role and that the look of the show is spot on

Height is part of that - not the only part nor the determining factor - but it is a part.

Unless you are a headline star, it will always be an issue

i don't think her height should matter - Nancys height has never been stated as she has to be tall or short, so i don't think height should matter.

Saying that it shouldn't matter doesn't alter the fact that it actually does.

On TV, you can be almost any height and the cameras can work round it

On stage, you are looking at a very different set of criteria.

Your height is part of your overall look and that is ALWAYS taken into account at casting. It is a fact of life in the performing arts

She's the same height as me

II don't think it's a huge problem for Nancy, but I do think that it will, unfortunately, limit the roles she can play in the West End.

Unfortunately in theatre height does seem to matter (speaking as a shortie!). Obviously in real life I am fully capable of being a mother to an 11 year old boy and therefore a mother figure, but in most productions of Oliver the little boys tower over me (I'm 5 foot!). It's a great thing for being able to play young parts for longer but a bit of a bugger when narrow minded perceptions state that a mother has to be considerably taller than a kid, a tall bloke would not date a tiny girl etc. etc.


That said, most of my favourite singers of all time have been tiny - Judy Garland, Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth, Elaine Paige etc. and it hasn't done them any harm. Unfortunately while I think Sarah is very good, I don't think she is in their league.

jodie is only about 5ft 3 -5ft 4

That is still 4-5in taller than Sarah

It seems like there are a lot of us shorties on here (i'm 5 foot). I don't think Sarahs height will be too much of a problem otherwise she wouldn't have made the final twelve. ALW and CM obviously thought she could potentially play the part.

Being on the short side never did Elaine Page much harm. The current cast of SOM do'nt seem to have probs with height (Maria and the children)

I am sure that Elaine Paige didn't get roles early on in her career because she didn't look right for them

i know im just sayin it can be decieving some of the girls arent as tall as they appear to be on tv

Rachel appears to only be an inch or so taller than Sarah when you see them in VTs, how tall is she?

I don't think her height should be an issue. She's the same height as Kristin Chenoweth, who's managed to have a career both on Broadway and on TV.

Aren't we all small - I'm a five footer, too
Good things in small parcels and all that.
Last edited by soroptimum : 04-05-2008 at 15:11