Finding Nancy
The search for the perfect Nancy has now entered its final stages as the last twelve candidates face the full wrath of the judges on the BBC's reality TV show, I'd Do Anything. Over the next few weeks, the twelve hopeful contestants will be whittled down even further as they face both the judges and the public vote.
Introducing the Final Twelve
Whittled down from thousands of hopefuls, the final 12 Nancy wannabes have been chosen. In a series of live eliminations the public will vote for their perfect Nancy. The BBC 1 programme "I'd Do Anything" reunites host Graham Norton with judges Denise Van Outen, John Barrowman and Lord Lloyd Webber. This year they will be joined by Barry Humphries and for the final two shows producer Cameron Mackintosh! To find out more about the lucky final 12 have a look below, links will take you to further information about the aspiring actresses.
What Does the Successful Candidate Need?
Each potential Nancy will need to be strong, sassy, sexy and loving; a true Londoner in every sense and of course, a motherly figure to the young and naive Oliver. The twelve finalists will have their work cut out as they try and prove that they are best suited for the job. Balancing all of the above skills whilst having that perfect singing voice will certainly take some training.
The History of the Part
Traditionally, Nancy has always been feisty, strong, vivacious and loving. She is a hard character, a far cry from the usual all singing, all dancing leading lady of the West End show. Nancy's biggest asset is her love for the criminal burglar, Bill Sikes, who she constantly forgives, no matter what he throws at her. Nancy is also a motherly figure to the poor Oliver when he is taken in by the Artful Dodger; they immediately bond, and develop a strong relationship from there on.
The part of Nancy is a tragic one to say the least. For all her good deeds throughout the story, she is horrifically murdered by her lover at London Bridge. In the original showing, Bill bludgeons Nancy to death which holds true with Dicken's original idea in the story, Oliver Twist. In many theatres, this scene has been reduced to the less violent display of strangling.
In Lionel Bart's original musical, the part of Nancy was played by Georgia Brown who was relatively unheard of before this part. The 1968 film adaptation starred Shani Wallis which too is perhaps the biggest part the actor ever played.
