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Theatre News > Wizard of Oz talent search and other competitions 'have unearthed true talent'
Wizard of Oz talent search and other competitions 'have unearthed true talent'
The BBC's talent shows have been a cut above the rest, one journalist has said.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
The current talent search for The Wizard of Oz and its predecessors on the BBC have been praised for unearthing true theatrical talent.
Serena Davies of the Telegraph argues that while other shows like Britain's Got Talent produce "water-cooler moments" and tabloid fodder, programmes like Over the Rainbow are the only ones which create stars capable of filling West End venues night after night.
"Here contestants must sing, dance and act to professional standards … The ultimate proof of the talent on show in these series is the contestants' life after TV," she pointed out.
Ms Davies said that while Lee Mead, Connie Fisher and Jodie Prenger all came to prominence thanks to applying for and winning such talent searches over the years, their so-called rejects also did well too.
"Aoife Mulholland, a Maria reject, is the best dancer in current smash Legally Blonde," the writer insisted.
Steph Fearon, who was eliminated from Over the Rainbow last weekend, said this week she hopes to go on to appear in Sister Act or The Lion King.
