Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream - TV Casting Search

I don’t think it works without a public vote each week, the lack of jeopardy makes it a bit dull.

Desmonda appeared to have an entire orchestra backing her!

I also found the dancers distracting. The girls were performing on a small stage, so the group of dancers filled it. I half expected someone to get an elbow in the face or a kick to the shin!

Don't know why I know but yes I did.

We really did get some now big theatre stars out of those old BBC casting shows, not just the winners either. I've seen quite a few on stage and most would are names in the industry. Rachel Tucker, Sam Barks, Danielle Hope, Jodie Prenger, Lee Mead, Daniel Boys, Bronte Barbe, Jessie Buckley, Sophie Evans, Lauren Samuels, Jessica Daley ect...

I can't see that the same will happen here...altho I think Desmonda's star was already rising and this will elevate her even more so maybe she will come out of this a star but other than that, doubt it.

Didn't ITV try another theatre casting show before? Was it for Grease or Dirty Dancing? You don't see many of them now either do you.

I agree with this and one thing that bugs me is the pieces to camera where the contestants talk about doing "regular jobs" and how they'd love to be in the West End but no mention of Desmonda being in From Here To Eternity and Tobias appearing in Heathers etc. 

This is almost like the original Popstars series where it was pre-recorded and then shown. Clearly filmed a while ago given Sam Barks has given birth now and wasn't even showing when it was filmed. We don't know what input the producers of the TV show or those from Mamma Mia have had. I haven't watched this yet and probably won't watch it fully but I want to check out the actual performance numbers in due course.

It's all too contrived and none of the parties involved are good enough at making it seem genuine. (There again it's no worse than the faux shock of Cowell &co unexpectedly discovering Subo or whoever as if they hadn't been through many rounds of auditions before they get near a camera). It would be more difficult and expensive to do, but a genuine fly on the wall rehearsal room experience of how they create and develop songs and scenes to performance standard would give a much better idea of the candidate's abilities, and would probably have more drama than this staged nonsense.

Episode 3 was slightly stronger

But I think they got it wrong in terms of the elimination

There were weaker performers left in

I agree that the Skys were stronger this week than in the first episode. The judges annoyed me a couple of times though - if Marcellus has a throat infection and is on medication,, that’s hardly his choice so it’s not “an excuse” and anyone can be unwell. I agree that Callum’s feedback was harsh - he was given a pop song and sang it in that style.

They were rather harsh on the guy with the infection, especially with the obsessive focus on 8 shows a week. It’s not like it’s uncommon for West End performers to not do all 8 shows. And none of us would know who Marisha Wallace is were it not for Amber Riley’s sickness during Dreamgirls.

Not sure how much longer I’ll stick with this. 3 weeks in and I’m still not particularly invested in it. Thought the first one to sing was the best, the one who did Luck Be a Lady, but his name escapes me.

oxfordsimon there was that bit where one of the judges asked what they’re looking for, and the reply was “abs.” They were joking, but it’s kinda true.

That thought had crossed my mind - given how central paternity is to the piece.

This is increasingly a big hot woke mess. I would love to see the normal casting breakdown for Sophie & Sky. Surely having a hot beach body, being able to sing and being even remotely engaged by musical theatre are prerequisites. Loved Stevie, have no feelings for any of the Sky’s. They barely register in the show and I can see no reason to make out differently. Just give it to Stevie and let us off the rest.