Yes, wars are raging over the fact that Jessie may have been technically better than Jodie (though Jodie was still brilliant) at many points last night - but all we really got to see (with the exception of her duet with Gwion) was Jessie's ability to be serious and dramatic. She's fantastic at it, yes, but there's a lot more to Nancy than belting out "As Long As He Needs Me".

I think perhaps there's been a bit too much focus placed on this song. It may be her centrepiece, but her other big three numbers in the musical are all dancey, up-tempo songs that are meant to be exuberant and fun. Though Jessie may have just edged Jodie out on the "dramatic", edgy side of Nancy, I think we know without a doubt that Jodie has been a lot better at making the faster songs fun and exuberant, when Jessie has made them, quite frankly, a bit embarrassing (see: the group performances towards the end).

So I think people should think twice when they say Jessie was the "perfect Nancy", because the focus of this programme has only really been on her rawness and her "darker", more vulnerable side - which only comes out in "As Long As He Needs Me", and which Jessie nailed to perfection. She has the power to stun an audience when she gets to emote, but what about "Oom-Pah-Pah"? "I'd Do Anything"? "It's a Fine Life"? They all seem much more suited to Jodie.

Agreed! There are elements of the Nancy role which are fun and provide a contrast to other areas of her life and the story.

I think jessie also demonstrated her fun side with her duet with gwion

It didnt slip past me that they nearly nailed Jessies feet to the floor......she has done one very good song........but the rest has been abit iffy.

and before you say.........I do like Jessie, im just not blind to her level of skills

It was one duet though mickeymouse and wonderful though it was, it was the first time I saw Jessie interact well with an oliver. I commented a few weeks ago at how she appeared to largely ignore them during the Nancy / Oliver numbers. I'd imagined having little sisters would make her comfortable with the kids and it didn't seem to.

And I think the choreographer should be congratulated for finally giving Jessie the opportunity to show the performance she did.

Jessie showed her potential at the 'fun' bits in the duet, which was very very good, but although I prefer Jessie, I do have to say I agree that Jodie is more suited to the fun side, at least from what evidence we have seen the past few weeks.

Jessie's duet with one of the Oliver's (Truly Scrumptious)
was one of the highlight's of last night for me and I was a Sam fan!!!. It was fun and great interaction with the little boy.

I don't think the fun scenes in Oliver would have presented any difficulty for Jessie. She moves like a tomboy so was not the most graceful Nancy but then neither was Jodie imo.

My doubts about Jessie were based on her lack of acting training or experience and her ability to maintain a cockney accent. I suppose the same could apply to Jodie.

Personally I thought it was criminal that the final two weren't given Oom Pah Pah and It's a Fine Life to sing - I can't believe we were subjected to more pop songs for the final.

I agree with you...I thought Jessie was a complete revelation in that performance (along with ALAHNM.)

In fact for me that was THE performance of not only this series but also them all (HDYSAPLM and ADWD included).....even better because it was so unexpected.

(slightly OT but I thought that 3 Olivers were incredible - Gwion and Laurence in particular - truly charismatic.)

yes I would have liked to have had more MT than pop.............thats still very strange for a final...