So You Think You've Got The Star Factor?
We were very lucky to have Jo Stacey from The Journal come to see the show. Not only did she write a nice article to preview the show a couple of weeks, but she also wrote a great review that came out the morning of the last show - and no doubt put a few more enthusiastic bums on seats!
Many thanks to Jo!
X Factor style show left me buzzing
SO You Think You've Got The Star Factor? was funky, fun and full of energy. If you didn't know what to expect it took a while to get used to the performances within a performance. Yet once you did, it was brilliant. I even found myself singing along.
Croyde Village Hall was creatively transformed into a bright, colourful room bursting with energy. The contestants performed on the main stage and at the back were the judging panel. The lighting was plain (just like an audition) and the choice of costumes very creative, each one different to depict the contestant's personalities. I particularly liked foreign contestant Ouja Nika Bolokov's (played by Joss Wyre) colourful tutu.
A television screen to the left of the stage added interest showing the opening sequence and the contestants' feelings about their big night. The footage was very well made and presented.
The presenter, who was played by director Ian Goodenough, opened the show. He reminded me greatly of super confident Dermot O'Leary, presenter of The X Factor. It's definitely a good thing: Dermot is a fantastic showman.
The opening act was Jason D, a Jason Donovan loving Australian, played by director Martin Youngs. He definitely set the standard for the evening. His high energy performance of Too Many Broken Hearts with truly comic dance moves was brilliant. Annette Hennessey and Julie Scott together became Shepherd's Bush. They performed a comic rendition of the Madonna classic Material Girl. It left the whole audience in fits of laughter.
The best vocals of the evening came from Heidi Delve who played contestant Ruthie Barrington-Smythe. Her rendition of popular pop song Kiss Me was pretty note perfect. She put everyone else to shame.
My favourite performer of the evening would have to have been Joss Wyre who played foreign contestant Ouja Nika Bolokov. Her vocals weren't the strongest but the comedy she added plus her incredible flexibility had me in awe. How she did all of her moves and sang at the same time I have no idea. A fantastic performance.
When all the acts were over, the audience had to decide who won. Joss got my vote and happily, she won this week. That's the best thing about the show: you can't predict who's going to win. It can change every week depending on the audience's votes. No one knows how it is going to end, not even the cast.
The finale was magical. The cast sang the well known Walking On Sunshine and they had the whole audience clapping and singing along. The room came to life. It left me buzzing with energy and reluctant to leave such a brilliant atmosphere. Production team Martin Youngs, Ian Goodenough and Katie Blackmore had coaxed an energetic performance from the cast. I can't wait for what's to come next.
