Jessica Robinson Enjoying Over The Rainbow

Article taken from gazettelive.co.uk


JESSICA Robinson is loving every minute of her time on the BBC’s latest search for a West End star, Over The Rainbow.


The down-to-earth Normanby lass is not taking anything for granted, despite getting fantastic comments from the judges in her bid to star as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

Even after making the final six thanks to the viewers’ votes on Saturday, and despite being one of only two girls left in the competition who has never been in the dreaded “bottom two”, Jessica, 18, still dares not dream of wearing those iconic ruby slippers.

Still buzzing from her amazing performance of Cabaret, Jessica told the Gazette: “You sort of have to think about it because you’re in the competition for that role.

“But you get your latest numbers to rehearse at the beginning of the week and you just concentrate on those. That’s your goal for the week.

“You don’t really think about the bigger goal.”

Jessica, who admits she was in her element with the musical theatre theme of the latest show, received outstanding comments from the judges - and “finally cracked” tough nut Sheila Hancock.

Jessica said: “This was the first time I’d been given a musical theatre song and that’s my strength.

“I gave it some welly just like I would at home when I’m doing musical theatre and it was lovely for all the judges to recognise that.

“The comments were brilliant and I finally cracked Sheila! I was really pleased to get a good comment from her, but it was still constructive as always with Sheila.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber told Jessica her performance was well-acted, despite “being a very difficult song for a girl of your age to do.”

She said: “That is a song that means so much to me. Cabaret is my favourite musical and the Liza Minnelli role is my favourite.”

Jessica’s passion obviously paid off, as even John Partridge warmed to her courageous performance, which showed “great attack”.

The EastEnders and stage star, who has been quite critical of our Boro hopeful as a judge on the show, said her performance showed the qualities Dorothy should have, while Charlotte Church and Sheila both praised Jessica’s singing, despite earlier throat problems.

Jessica says she’s now “10 times better” after getting her voice back and is hoping to wow the judges - and the viewers - again this week.

She said: “It’s scary, but it’s also really exciting! You don’t know what’s going to happen and I love living on the edge. I always throw myself into it because it might be the last performance that I get and I just do what I can.”

Jx