OVER THE RAINBOW

[Marian]

I was quite impressed with the first Over the Rainbow show tonight, showing some of the earlier auditions and then the choice of the final 50 who went on to 'Dorothy Farm'.
Finally down to the last 20, there is another show tomorrow when the final 10 are chosen and the public get to choose one other.
Four that were originally left out were reinstated which seems to have become rather a regular thing in these types of shows.
I like the panel. They all have considerable experience in musicals apart from Charlotte Church, but she has experience of coping at being thrown into the spotlight at a tender age, and of course also in singing.
Sheila Hancock is in Sister Act as Mother Superior at the moment, and she has also appeared in Cabaret, Annie, Sweeney Todd and Gypsy.
John Partridge has many years experience of leading roles in Cats, Starlight Express, Miss Saigon, Rent and Taboo.
There will be auditions for the part of Toto too Marian, maybe Harry or Chloe would fit the bill!

[Lena & Harry Smith]

It seems that this series even though the first night, is moving at a faster pace, and we have been spared having to watch a number of losers this time.
I feel that One or Two look just a little bit too old for the part, but we shall see.
As for the panel, and their choices, Sheila Hancock isn't going to allow anyone to make up her mind for her.
I thought how attractive Charlotte Church looked, and brightened up a rather dull looking panel, but ALW although lookiing tired seemed raring to go. We know that we will enjoy this series.

[Marian]

I agree with what you say about Charlotte and Sheila, Len and Harry. Charlotte looked as if she has slimmed down a lot and really intends to take her place on the panel seriously, as do they all.'
Mother Superior' Sheila looks like she will have overall control though and will get the final say!!
I also thought several of the Dorothies looked rather too old for the part. Some pretty younger ones though that looked just right.
Jodie Prenger will be one of the Toto judges. It was nice to see her again last night too.

[Sandra]

I agree with all you had to say Marian and Lena and Harry.
I had been looking forward to watching this programme all week and found myself with a smile on my face throughout the well paced programme

[mariana44]

I am with you all--although I only saw one girl that I really thought would be good for the part-but I cannot remember her name-or even if she got through to the top 20.

Yes, some of them did look too old for the part--but I recollect Judy Garland was not as young as she appeared in the film.

I am still missing John and Denise, but was surprised at Charlotte--she did look good, and I think she will be a good judge.

It was good to see Andrew LLoyd Webber back, after his health problems last year.

Jodie will be good at judging the dogs, I know she loves dogs and has several of her own. I think both Chloe and Harry would be too naughty to be Toto.!!!

[mariana44]

I enjoyed it even more tonight---we were able to get more information about the girls-I still think that there are some in the last 10, who could never be a Dorothy!! The one that I liked is called Jessica, and she is in the final 10.

I quite liked the idea of them singing 2 songs--in groups of 4--it was much easier to compare them singing the same song--including a musical number each.

Out of the remaining 10, maybe Emma or Emilie will get through.

Of all the judges I like Charlotte best--to my surprise, as I was prepared not to like any of them.

[Marian]

I didn't particularly like the earlier time slot as having to prepare and have dinner I couldn't really concentrate last night.
I am enjoying it though.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

We thought it was a great show last night, and we wondered how the panel were going to choose the 10 to go forward, plus there is a wild card to be voted by the public, making 11. There are some very good singers among the girls.
There were arguments on the panel in choosing apparently, but that hasn't surprised us.
I liked Steph, Jessica, Danielle and Bronte. out of the remaining 10.

[jon]

Yes, Jessica and Danielle were two of my favourites. I can't help feeling that some of the girls didn't have a hope of succeeding to the next round and were just included so as to add "variety" to the line-up. I also liked the blonde girl called (I think) Bronwen, or something. Also there was one girl who seemed to be getting a profusion of compliments (can't remember her name), which almost certainly means she'll be rejected at some point as being an early front runner isn't usually a good thing.

[mariana44]

Jon-I think you mean Bronte--not Bronwen. And they are now all through to the final round, so will be voted off week, by week.

[mariana44]

I just loved this show tonight. I thought maybe Enilie would be voted off-I do not think her singing was good. But I thought Amy was the right choice-she was much too old for Dorothy--and she LOOKED older than all the other girls-personally I do not think she should have been in top 10, as it took the chance away from another girl. On saying that, I thought she had a really nice voice---and I have a feeling I have seen her somewhere else--could it be X-factor ??

I thought the ending was brilliant--I loved the fact that they sang the verse to the song, which is so rarely heard, in fact , to me it is he best part of the song---and I loved it when she sat on the moon and then disappeared out of view --just genius.

This is going to be like all the others--I will never want it to end .

[Sandra]

Absolutely agree with you Marian.

It's a terrific show and I could watch it all night but how some of the 'teary'

girls are going to cope with singing on the moon when they get knocked out I don't know

[mariana44]

I confess, i was a bit "teary" myself at the end.

[Marian]

Well, I'm afraid I wasn't quite so overwhelmed with the show as you two seem to be.
It was a good show I agree but I wasn't anywhere near being teary over it!

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Well we missed the show but I will be honest and say that watching the Iplayer later I was tearful too.
Up to now this has been is a fantastic show, and we also agree that Amy should have gone. She lacked passion and feeling for the words in her singing and had no personality.
I was surprised at Steph being in the sing off. and thought she has one of the best voices of them all, but that's what the show is all about.