David Gest has admitted that he missed the Grease premier this week due to a hectic filming schedule.
Gest, who judged on the ITV show Grease Is The Word, from where the two lead actors for the stage show were picked, commented:
“I had to film The Friday Night Project so I gave Grease a miss,” Gest told the Daily Star Sunday. “Although filming didn’t start until 7pm the next night, I had to get up early to rehearse and have my hair and make-up done.” Read more & comment »
Watch Susan McFaddena nd Danny Bayne having a chat with Sky News about their appearances on ITV Tv show, Grease Is The Word as well as some live footage of the West End show. The stage show was slated by critics earlier this week.
Winners of ITV reality Tv show, Grease Is The Word, took to the stage for the first time last night, but unlike their Joseph counterparts, their opening night reviews were certainly not of the raving kind.
Sarah Crompton, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said Bayne “made Travolta look like Olivier”.
“Whatever qualities made people vote for them shrivel and fade in the spotlight’s harsh glare,” she added.
The Guardian’s critic, Michael Billington, said McFadden “sings prettily, but has a painfully limited range of physical expression”.
The show was also branded “disappointingly short on dazzle” by Sam Marlowe in The Times. Read more & comment »
The heat is on as the final 16 Grease Is The Word contestants battle it out live for the most sought after roles in the west end – Sandra Dee and Danny Zuko. Just eight couples are now left fighting for the leading roles. With one couple being voted out each week there is only room for one Sandy and one Danny…
Fame, fortune, and international stardom await the chosen ones, but first they are going to have to earn it. Our hopefuls must survive the most punishing auditioning process ever seen on television. Each must excel in three challenging disciplines, singing, acting and dancing.
Thousands of people initially auditioned in front of our panel of judges – renowned theatre producer David Ian, American showbiz impresario and producer, David Gest; choreographer to Britney Spears and a host of other American stars, Brian Friedman; and The X Factor mentor, 80s’ pop icon, and West End star, Sinitta. Read more & comment »
“This will be the first time at doing anything like this, and probably the last. If I can’t make it after getting this far I probably never will.”
The Story So Far…
* Wayne got big thumbs-up from all of the Judges. Sinitta said that he had a ‘nice body, good look and sang well’. David Gest said that he preferred the singing to the dancing and David Ian said ‘as usual David Gest is wrong, Sinitta and Brian are right’.
* On the final day of Bootcamp, all of the judges were really impressed with him. David Ian said ‘I like him more and more, he looked really good’. Sinitta said ‘he did the job, he’s very exciting’. Read more & comment »
Age: 22 Job: Student and waiter Location: Southend-on-Sea
The Story So Far…
* The feedback he got from the judges was very positive, with Sinitta telling him that she ‘couldn’t take her eyes off him’. Brian commented that he has a ‘soothing’ voice, while David Gest called him an ‘inspiration’.
* Danny arrived at Bootcamp and performed well in the dance class, with the choreographer picking him out as having real potential.
* After David Gest had heard him sing ‘Your Song’ he thought he was fantastic.
* Danny was put through to the next day with David Ian saying he was ‘great’. He was, however, a little concerned by Danny’s physical condition adding that he needed to get into shape. Read more & comment »
“I think David Gest is funny. I’d love to go out and get drunk with him.
The Story So Far…
* All the panellists sent Michael to Bootcamp and they were really impressed.
* During Michael’s singing lesson on his first day vocal coach John said to Michael: “You have a rich voice. The breathing is a problem and you sound strained.” David Ian also said: “It’s a bad Elvis impression.”
* At Bootcamp. David Ian commented: “He’s arrogant - he needs to make me like him.” David Gest thought that he couldn’t make people believe he was Danny. Read more & comment »
“If I were to get the part of Danny it would be all my dreams come true: a better quality of life for my family, which means so much to me. I’m going to do what it takes to get this part.”
The Story So Far…
* After Richard performed David Ian said: “You need to get into shape. Lose 10lbs before Bootcamp and pack in the cigarettes.” David Gest said: “You need so much work, it’s like tuning up an old car.”
* At Bootcamp Brian and David said that Richard had ‘excellent tone’. David Ian also said: “You have so much to learn, but you reacted well to advice, which is great.” Read more & comment »
“It’s not been easy trying to get going again since I’ve been back in the UK. It’s giving me a chance to get back out there and show what I can do.”
The Story So Far…
* At Anthony’s first audition, David Gest thought he had charm, while Brian agreed he had talent but was concerned about his physical condition.
* During Anthony’s singing class at Bootcamp David Gest was full of praise telling Anthony he had a great voice. He also commented on his attitude saying: “Once a star always a star.” Read more & comment »
“I used to work as an usher handing out ice-creams in a West End theatre. My life has come full circle with the chance to be back there on stage!”
The Story So Far…
* At his first audition, David Ian said he was a good ‘all rounder’
* During Bradley’s singing class at Bootcamp David Gest said: “You’re what were looking for” and told him that “he had something special; he has a voice there. He just needs a bit of help with training.”
* Brian was really impressed with Bradley’s dance routine at Bootcamp. David Ian thought that when he performed in a couple, he was brilliant. David Gest became concerned that Bradley risked being “easily forgotten.” Brian added that if Bradley doesn’t step up his game then he could be out. Read more & comment »
“I would love to play Danny though because he’s a bit like me. He’s has this cool tough exterior but is soft on the inside and is actually quite vulnerable and confused about his emotions.”
The Story So Far…
* David Ian thought that he was fantastic at his first audition: “A real life Danny.” David Gest was concerned that his voice wasn’t strong enough, “I’m not going for average.” Brian really liked his dancing.
* Following Tom’s singing audition the vocal coach told him he would have to start doing some breathing exercises, to give him a richer sound.
* On the Final day of bootcamp David Ian said that he was ‘Unbelievable’; Sinitta believed they looked in love, while Brian thought he gave a really theatrical performance. Read more & comment »
“I have been told that I am considered a triple threat”
The Story So Far…
* During his first audition, David Ian told Danny that he had it all: “You sing; you dance; you act.” David Gest told him he had a ‘John Travolta-like quality’, while Brian thought he was a ‘Genius’.
* David Ian thought Danny’s performance at Bootcamp was ‘disappointing’ and that he should have been ‘great’. Brian expected more but Sinitta commented that perhaps he struggled with his partner.
“David Gest disliked all aspects of my performance and that spurred me on to change his mind during Bootcamp”
The Story So Far…
* Kate’s performance split the judges straight down the middle with David Gest saying her performance bored him, and Brian thinking the dancing was bad. David Ian thought she has a clear projected voice, and Sinitta agreed.
* Following her singing audition on the first day at Bootcamp, David Gest told her that she had won him over: “You did your homework, each time you get better and better and better.”
* Sinitta was impressed with her final performance when she performed in a couple. Brian was also impressed: “She’s a powerhouse. I’d written her off yesterday and but now she’s back.” Read more & comment »
Age: 22 Job: Pub Singer Location: Essex
“Well I guess I am going to be known as the cry baby of the show as I burst in to tears so much during the nerve-wracking Bootcamp”
The Story So Far…
* Joanna was dubbed as the ‘unconventional Sandy’.
* On Joanna’s first day of Bootcamp she struggled with the singing task because of her nerves. Joanna was convinced that she was going home and burst into tears straight after her performance.
* At Bootcamp, David Ian in particular really liked Joanna’s performance. Sinitta thought that she had ‘amazing arrangement’. Read more & comment »
Age: 24 Job: Performer Location: London
“I think this is the first time I’ve actually felt proud of myself for something. I feel that because of my brother, Brian, I have to prove myself that little bit more to show that I am here on my own merit.”
The Story So Far…
* David Gest told her that talent must run in the family while Brian paid her a huge compliment: “You’re a triple threat, one of the best we’ve seen.” David Ian simply said ‘sensational’.
* Susan sailed through to Bootcamp. Her performance impressed the judges again. Sinitta loved her tone, David thought she had a great voice and great class. Read more & comment »
David Gest has admitted that he missed the Grease premier this week due to a hectic filming schedule.
Winners of ITV reality Tv show, Grease Is The Word, took to the stage for the first time last night, but unlike their Joseph counterparts, their opening night reviews were certainly not of the raving kind.
The heat is on as the final 16 Grease Is The Word contestants battle it out live for the most sought after roles in the west end – Sandra Dee and Danny Zuko. Just eight couples are now left fighting for the leading roles. With one couple being voted out each week there is only room for one Sandy and one Danny…
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