Reviewing the Situation: Week Nine

Which Nancys will make it to next week's final?

With just one week to go until the final, there's tension in the air. None of our prospective Nancys want to come so close and fall at the final hurdle, but one more girl must go before we can get there. How did their semi-final performances go down with the experts?

After the Nancys and Olivers opened the show with a group performance of 'Food Glorious Food', Rachel was the first Nancy to perform individually, singing 'Cabaret'. Denise, who criticised Rachel last week for being overly guarded, said: "I saw everything I was looking for - Rachel, that was phenomenal. We all jumped up! How are the other girls going to follow that?" Barry told Rachel that she was great in her mission this week working with him in the West End, "and tonight you gave a star performance, Rachel." John agreed: "This girl is an actress - she has the ability to play any character and she definitely has the ability to play Nancy, she should be in the final next week." Sir Cameron Mackintosh, joining the panel for this week, said: "By George, she's got it! You took a well-known song and infused it with your own personality." Andrew, who led Rachel's standing ovation, capped the praise by saying, "Bravo, you! It's so great to see you come through like this. I'm proud of you."

Jessie was next to perform, singing 'What I Did For Love' from A Chorus Line. John told her "it was a good vocal, but we're in the ninth week of the competition. It should excite me - it slightly bored me. I'm not convinced you're Nancy. I'm not getting the conviction and the emotion behind what you're singing." Barry disagreed, calling it "a heartfelt performance." Denise also felt it was heartfelt, but thought it was too aggressive in places, adding: "I normally like more simplicity." She joined John in warning Jessie not to continually use her arms to convey emotions. Cameron called it "a beautiful version of a song which doesn't have a lot of narrative drama", but shared some of the panel's concerns about Jessie's movement. Andrew said: "We have to think about star quality. When I asked you about this song, you knew the answer immediately. I didn't direct you because you decided you wanted to do the performance your own way. I have to ask everybody - has Jessie got star quality or not? I believe you have."

Tonight as an additional test the girls were also required to sing duets of songs written by Andrew, and Jodie and Sam were first with their rendition of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. "Who says the Nancys can't rock?" said Andrew. "I can't compare these two - they're both wonderful."

Following the Olivers with their group performance of 'Tomorrow' from Annie, Samantha took to the stage to sing 'When You Believe'. John told Samantha "I thought that showed some vulnerability - it didn't break my heart, but it doesn't matter - that was a powerhouse performance. If I can make a comparison between you and Jessie, you're like a shark who's going for it, whereas Jessie is a fish out of water." Denise praised Samantha for her "likeability factor". Barry called Samantha "the bees knees and the cat's whiskers. You had great connection with the material there - what can I say? A star, I think." Cameron said "I saw vulnerability in the first part of the song, but as you went for the money note I lost that. Next week, because I'm sure you will be here, I want to hear a dramatic song which shows you understand the hard life that Nancy has gone through." Andrew closed by saying, "I think if you were to win this, because the show doesn't open for six months, you've got the time to really learn. I believe you've got the vulnerability - we've just got to find a song that shows it."

Jodie was the final Nancy to perform individually, singing 'Out Here On My Own' from Fame. Denise was in tears at the end, saying: "I want to run up and give you a big hug - that was so heartfelt, Jodie. You put every emotion into that song. We've always said Nancy needs be a person with life experience, and you've had that. I want to see you in the final." John agreed, saying, "You need to be in the final - great potential, great Nancy." Barry was slightly more hesitant, commenting: "Jodie, you have an absolutely beautiful voice and you interpreted that song wonderfully. Earlier on you were accused of overacting, but now I think you might be too restrained for my tastes." Cameron called it "a beautiful performance, but a bit matronly for me. I want to hear those gin toddies that Nancy's always guzzling in your voice." Andrew pointed out to Barry that it was his fault if she was restrained, because that was how he asked her to perform it: "I thought that was really on the button. Tomorrow night is going to be the hardest night I've ever had!"

To end the night, Rachel and Jessie performed their duet of 'Buenos Aires' from Evita. Andrew said: "You were so great - star quality! I'm lost for words, I'm definitely going away tomorrow night now."

The girls have done all they can - but who is your Nancy? Don't forget to vote for your favourite, and tune in tomorrow night at 7.15pm to find out which three have made it through to the final.