But Lewis being brought in to cover Lee's holiday is very different to them saying that he was going to do two of Lee's shows every week ... can you imagine the uproar if that had happened.

If they were to bring Jessie in as holiday cover - great ... but to have her as an alternate seems completely inappropriate

Given that this is what they did with TSOM, with Aoife being brought in for two performances a week, I don't really see why. The precident has been set, with both previous shows, to have a runner up play the part in some shape or form. Does it make a massive amount of difference that Aoife was brought in because Connie got ill? What if the same thing happened with Jodie, would it be ok then?

The way it stands, Jodie is contracted to do six shows a week. Somebody has to do the other two. From the point of view of Cam and co, it would probably sell better if it was Jessie than a relatively unknown understudy. As with Connie and Aoife, it would be made clear to the fans who was doing which shows, so Jodie's fans could book for the appropriate nights.

In the terms of the contract, they can't actually do anything until Jodie has started the run. Which is absolutely how it should be, as this is Jodie's moment in the limelight, but once the show is up and going, I don't see why it's a problem to bring Jessie (or anyone else) in.

Neither Aoife nor Lewis were brought in that early on in their respective show's run.

It was quite a while before Aoife went into SOM, it was only after Connie had to drop from doing 8 shows a week to 6, and even then she didn't do it straight away as she was in Chicago!

Lewis also had to wait quite a while before he was allowed on.

Neither were put in as alternates (which BTW are different to understudies who only do the main role if the principal is ill or can't make it) straight away.

Well Jodie is doing six shows a week and they need someone to do the other two.
Since they wanted Jessie anyway, they are probably just asking her for in the future, not really saying anything for definate yet.

Let Jodie get on and do all the shows - I'm sure she is more than capable and it's not such a demanding role as Maria anyway.

If it becomes apparent then that an alternate is required at a later date then I agree ... bring in another but I for one think it's not necessary or appropriate at the current time.

I agree with you that the crucial difference here is timing. Aoife and Lewis were contracted some time after the show started whereas Jessie's contribution was being talked about more or less from the moment she lost. Part of this might be because the precedent has been set, but I guess it's also got to do with the fact that Cameron made it clear that he rated her highly. This has never really been the case with the runner up before.


Lewis, anyway is actually being billed as an 'alternate lead'. This information came from Mel, who posts a lot on the IDA forum. I'm not sure about Aoife. Was Aoife Connie's offical understudy? Did she fill in when Connie was sick, or was there someone else who filled that role?

I don't see any real reason why Jodie shouldn't be able to do the eight shows, like you say, the role is more in line with Joseph than Maria. However, at the moment, she's contracted for six and it's up to Cam to decide what he wants to do with the other two. He can't make any formal offers or big announcements until Jodie's run starts and like you say, it isn't appropriate anyway. We'll have to see how things pan out over the next six months, but I can see how harnessing Jessie's fan base (which is obviously significant) as well as Jodie's is an attractive proposition for Cameron.

Jodie could do all the shows, no question, but within the bounds of the contract, Cameron can do whatever he wants with the two a week that haven't (so far) been contracted to Jodie.

He's just waiting to see if Jodie works for the part. If she turns out to be great he'll give her 8 shows a week.

I think it would be just wrong. Jodie won and should get her prize. If Cam wants to cast Jessie in another show that's fine, just not Oliver!

One thing I can't understand is why they have Rachel and Jessie for the part, or is one touring (Jessie) and the other West End. how accurate is the what's on stage, cos if we listened to all of these things reported, it looks like many of the girls have more than one play on at a time.

Neither of them can go into the West End Cabaret, it's closing Saturday. I do find it surprising that with IDA they clearly planned for a winner who would NOT be ready to go into rehearsals, which don't even start until October. With Joseph, on the other hand, there was what? six weeks? between the finale and the first previews and the company had already started rehearsals.

that is different than 2 Nancy's in the WE though.

Well, touring is very tiring and maybe they will share the part, however, will not believe anything really until they have produced cast lists. We ahve heard of the girls doing all sorts

But I don't understand why it should bother anyone though. I mean don't people have enough going on in their lives to care so much.
I can understand someone being upset if their favourite didn't win. But to actualy think it wrong to give any of the other Nancys the understudy position, is just crazy.
How many times is everyone planning on seeing Oliver anyway.

of course they do. that isn't the point. the show wasn't billed as I'd Do Anything. let's find 2 Nancy's for the West End! I have no problem if it is to cover. To do it outright sends the wrong message, imo. it is a talent competition and not a singing competition (where the top 4 get contracts)

i don't think the person that has already been hired to do the shows Jodie doesn't do should lose their job.

I didn't think that anyone had been given a definate role as the alternate. It's just a rumour.
And it doesn't matter. Jodie gets the most shows and her dream role.
It wouldn't effect her or anyone else if one of the others were cast as the alternate.

Jodie would be happy for anyone. I just think if this happened, the press would also be relentless in comparing the two all over again and it would be nothing but trouble, couple that with the other logical reason and bob's your uncle.

Aoife did two shows a week plus taking up the other 6 when the lead is away and still does. Hope so anyway as I hope I have booked the right week. There's no difference Jessie doing that too.

The interesting questions are why Aoife can't take the lead even when she's shown she good enough to do it or better and how long Jodie stays as the lead.

CM might well like to work Jessie up and then move Jodie out - that might be a tad controversial but Jessie will get better and Jodie can't stay for ever. Perhaps its time to do what they failed to do with Aoife and acknowledge that the public vote didn't pick the only winner.

Kenwright seems to like having people from the ALW shows on his touring shows to bring people in. Given who he didn't like on the shows and who he did and why I don't think he's a very good judge of ability or that interested in it.

Given the choice I would think Helena would win over Rachel in terms of both ability to sing Cabaret and ability to pull in votes on the shows. If he wanted someone who would act an interesting Sally he would go for the Maria's and Nancys who could act better than Rachel .

The production of Cabaret that is being cast is a Bill Kenwright touring version.



They have left themselves a lot more rehearsal time than for either Joseph or Maria, and there is time for other training before rehearsals begin.

And, to be fair, Joseph is primarily a singing role, not a great deal of complex dancing or acting, its written for school children and can be rehearsed very quickly.

Another rumour (from WOS again though, which deals a lot more in gossip than fact, so take it with a large pinch of salt!) is that Cam Mac wants to put Jodie into the chorus of Les Mis pretty soon in order for her to get some stage experience before Oliver!...

well then i got the story all wrong. i didn't know aiofe got hired right away on the back of the show, thought she had done something else and came in to cover. so, they fired someone to give Aoife the job of did they not have anyone?

if they gave her a contract right after HDYSAPLM finished, i don't think it's right. if they waited, i can see that.

I agree this is Jodie's time and she could probably do 8 shows..........just watch and see

if thats right its the most sensible suggestion I have heard that man say..........

chorus? after doing a role like nancy no no no no

But it wouldn't be after, it would be before. Not a bad idea in my opinion.

ah. okay. i agree.