I'd Do Anything...

[fajrdrako]

I watched the first episode of I'd Do Anything last night. It's the show where Andrew Lloyd Webber casts Nancy and Oliver for a West End production of Oliver!.

We all know I am watching it because John Barrowman is one of the judges, casting directors, and teachers. And he was wonderful. Because there are fewer judges than there were in Any Dream Will Do, he gets more chance to talk, gets more individual time onscreen. Best moment so far was when Denise Van Outen said to him in exasperation, "You had to show your butt!" Yup, it's John, of course he did. And it's such fun to see his binges of laughter, when he likes something. No one laughs like that man does. (Please, sir, may we see Captain Jack Harkness laugh more?)

But really... even if Barrowman wasn't on the show, could I resist it? A show about musical theatre? It sort of ... hones in on my guilty pleasures. Or it would, if I felt guilty, which I don't.

The first episode was fairly diverse, because it shows Webber and Cameron Mackintosh sifting through thousands of people in the first wave of actresses and actors - there's more focus on the women than the boys. Already I have three or four favourite contenders as Nancy, which will probably be narrowed down still more next episode. The boys seemed less differentiated, but that will come. It's interesting that Andrew Lloyd Webber is looking for both a Nancy and an Oliver who are more tough-and-feisty than we're used to. Okay.

This should be fun.

Comments

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

That's started already? Buggerit, I've missed the first one!

*goes off to investigate BBC iPlay*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, it started on Saturday. Off to the replay sites with you! Hurry, now, before it gets away.

I enjoyed it.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Watched it now. I loathe the bits where they beg for another chance, but apart from that it was just as much fun as the Josephs.

Not sure if I have firm favourites yet, but Cleopatra seems an interesting character, the girl with the opera singer parents has the most fabulous voice and I like the woman from Blackpool with her boyfriend for making the panel laugh so much - that was lovely, JB should definitely get to laugh more on TW.

There may be more judges when they get to the final 12 though - I seem to remember from last time that there were only three for the castings? Or have I got that wrong?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I loathe the bits where they beg for another chance

Yes, that was awful. But it was only a few minutes.

apart from that it was just as much fun as the Josephs.

Yes.

Cleopatra seems an interesting character

She was one of my picks, and I think one of the other girls I liked was the one with opera singer parents - she's 17 and goes to a posh school? Was he name "Nancy"? I also like the woman with dark, curly hair and a large mouth. I thought some of them were awful singers (but a lot of those were eliminated).

And yes, the Blackpool woman was quite a character. I didn't think she was very talented, but she was certainly fun. And wasn't her boyfriend tall?

I seem to remember from last time that there were only three for the castings? Or have I got that wrong?

I don't remember for sure. We'll see!

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

she's 17 and goes to a posh school?

That's the one. Very confident. I liked her defence of why a 17 year old could play Nancy.

Was he name "Nancy"?

No, she was a different girl - actually cockney, her dad died when she was 10 and she made Denise and the casting guy get all teary when she sang. I liked her too, but I forgot about her in my list.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Very confident. I liked her defence of why a 17 year old could play Nancy.

I did too. Obviously she has every reason to try to convince them to cast her own type, but it was obvious she'd thought about it and she expressed it well. I was impressed.

And yes, I remember which one was "Nancy" now. She had an interesting story, and I liked her, too.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

I just watched the highlights someone posted on youtube. (Got me sobbing, why do I sob for silly things??) Where did you find the whole show to watch? (Or should I get myself an UK IP adress in some way?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Hold on, I'll see if I can find a way to upload it for you.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

oh, I would appreciate that

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Stand by - I'll be seeing a friend this evening who knows how to do it.

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

Of course he had to show his butt, silly Van Whosis. With an ass like that, it would be an insult to God to keep it hidden.

*takes a dainty nibble, while it's out there*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Of course he had to show his butt, silly Van Whosis. With an ass like that, it would be an insult to God to keep it hidden.

True.

And I'm sure she knows John well enough to know that not only can he not pass up an opportunity to waggle hit butt on television, but he woudln't even try, and if he missed his chance - well, we'd all know it was a Skrull impostor, woudln't we?

It's why we love him so. Sexy show-off.

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

He's pretty much the reason television exists.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Few have used it so well, and to such good effect!

He's pretty much the reason my television gets turned on - hmm. Interesting double entendre there. Why is it that anything one tries to say about John Barrowman gets wound up in innuendo?

(He's not Captain of the Innuendo Squad for nothing!)

[liliaeth]

thanks for telling us, I already missed the first two eps, when's the next one?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think the third episode will be aired on Saturday. I haven't seen the second one yet. Looking forward to it!