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Susan Boyle's dowdy image fuels fantasy
‘The West Australian’ ^ | 28th May 2009 | NORMAN LEBRECHT

Posted on 05/29/2009 6:44:33 PM PDT by Donald Rumsfeld Fan

Whatever happens to Susan Boyle on Saturday night, her place is secure in folk memory. The moment the 48-year-old Scottish spinster put a microphone to her mouth on the theatre-of-cruelty stage of the UK television show Britains Got Talent, faces froze and fantasy took over.

The three judges on the ITV program had greeted with rolled eyeballs and sniggers the arrival of an uncoiffed contestant in a saggy, off-white frock. Those world-weary prejudices choked in their throats as Boyle began to sing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables in a voice as full as Loch Lomond in flood.

Her dream, Boyle said, was to be as popular as the Andrew Lloyd Webber singer, Elaine Paige. Overnight, Paige was eclipsed.

Almost 62 million people have watched Boyle's performance on YouTube.

(Excerpt) Read more at thewest.com.au ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: boyle; susan; susanboyle
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Elaine Paige is Susan Boyle's hero. She sings Paige's signature song Memory from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Cats'.

You be the judge.

Elaine Page 'Memory' 1998

Susan Boyle 'Memory' 2009

1 posted on 05/29/2009 6:44:33 PM PDT by Donald Rumsfeld Fan
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan

Paige by a mile. Great dynamics, clarity and emotion. Boyle sings one volume, with a bit too thick an emphasis on vibrato.


2 posted on 05/29/2009 6:49:24 PM PDT by T. Jefferson (Batton down the hatches, full speed in reverse)
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan

So, how does it work with this show? Do the judges pick the winner on the spot, or is it like American Idol where viewers vote and the results are the following day?


3 posted on 05/29/2009 6:53:59 PM PDT by hugorand
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan

She sure has learned quickly how to play the crowd. It appears her energy rises with their response. I have seen very talented people bomb out because they cannot draw the crowd into their performance, she has figured out how to do it.


4 posted on 05/29/2009 6:59:54 PM PDT by svcw (The prerequisite for receiving the grace of God ... is knowing you need it.)
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan; All

.

Noone can equal Betty Buckley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivIT0TQ4vRM
Start 1:20

.


5 posted on 05/29/2009 7:04:43 PM PDT by patriot08
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan

There is no frickin way she would of even got on that show unless the producers, including Simon, knew way in advance what she was capable of.
This whole thing is orchestrated reality tv at its worse. Thousands of audition tapes are submitted to the producers to even get a shot at being on that show.
But they act like Boyle just walked off the street lost and ended up on that stage looking all frumpy and hair like a rats nest. And right before she sings, they pan to the audience to clips of girls making mocking faces at her apperance.


6 posted on 05/29/2009 7:10:10 PM PDT by Proud_USA_Republican (Trust unto God and He shall direct your path)
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To: patriot08
She's very good. But check this out. Especially the last 60 seconds. Paige is awesome.

Cats London Production

7 posted on 05/29/2009 7:17:51 PM PDT by Donald Rumsfeld Fan
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To: Proud_USA_Republican
There is no frickin way she would of even got on that show unless the producers, including Simon, knew way in advance what she was capable of.

It doesn't matter if Simon found out listening to an audition tape in his house or if a staffer told him, at some point you can guarantee that he was just as blown away as the rest of the world. The fact that he capatilized on it rather than pass her over for another pretty face shows just how good of a businessman he is.

8 posted on 05/29/2009 7:27:33 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Proud_USA_Republican

And how do you know this?


9 posted on 05/29/2009 7:29:24 PM PDT by Aria ( "The US republic will endure until Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the people's $.")
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To: Proud_USA_Republican

Of course, some of the Boyle experience was staged, but she can’t be compared with those who have been in musical theatre for years and who have learned stage presence over those years as have Paige and Buckley.

For a novice (and singing in church is not the same as being before the public). She is a phenomenon. Close your eyes and just listen to the 3 singers. Boyle’s voice is different -— but beautiful with fullness and depth. Not easy to do just standing there and not allowing yourself to act out your emotions — as did Paige and Buckley.


10 posted on 05/29/2009 7:31:54 PM PDT by Exit148 (a)
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan
I'm so sick of this Susan Boyle crap. She's been a great singer for years and everyone is just now acting like she's some world sensation. Y'all have been DUPED.
11 posted on 05/29/2009 7:33:20 PM PDT by LiberConservative
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To: Exit148
Not easy to do just standing there and not allowing yourself to act out your emotions — as did Paige and Buckley.

You're right. Paige is considered the First Lady of British Musical Theater with 40 years of experience.

She said she considers herself an actress first and a singer second.

12 posted on 05/29/2009 7:47:48 PM PDT by Donald Rumsfeld Fan
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To: Proud_USA_Republican; Donald Rumsfeld Fan
Yes, you are right on that. Cowell is a master showman. He might be judged on how much pleasure he has given. The jury is still out. I confess a lot of rather maudlin persons such as myself, did sort of choke up a little at her first foray in front of Cowell.

You Tube has on a 1995 audition on another British T/V talent show- "My Kind of People". The host is a Michael Barrymore (real name Parker) while a younger Boyle is singing, this mindless wacko. lays on his back and swivels around. He keeps trying to look up her dress. She gamely treads back near his face with stileto heels. She never got anywhere. Any angst I may have felt was dissipated though.

He is a homosexual and he had a drug filled sex orgy at his extensive property. A local fool went there and ended up dead face forward in Barrymore's swimming pool. Barrymore walked free. It ruined Barrymore professionally. The man fights the usual demons.

Susan Boyle must have been already well known as to her talent, by Cowell. One can only hope she puts her money in the bank. Fame will not last, not of that kind.

13 posted on 05/29/2009 7:56:32 PM PDT by Peter Libra
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To: Exit148

Absolutely.

The “close your eyes” part of your post is especially pointed. Boyle has a beautiful voice, but is not beautiful, as are Paige and Buckley. Nor does she have their training.

It may well be staged..but I hope she wins.


14 posted on 05/29/2009 8:13:45 PM PDT by berdie (Philosophies of the school room in one generation will reflect the government philosophy of the next)
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To: LiberConservative
She's been a great singer for years and everyone is just now acting like she's some world sensation. Y'all have been DUPED.

She took some singing lessons in her late twenties or early thirties. Since then, her singing has been done in her Parish choir. She did contribute to a CD 10 years ago, that was a fundraiser for a charity in her area. She was asked by someone who knew of her lovely voice, to be a part of it. Since that time, she had taken care of her elderly mother who died a couple of years ago.

Her Parish priest said that because of her mental disabilities, her performances can be erratic, and sometimes she forgets the words. Doesn't sound like a professional singer to me.

I hope she makes several CD's and makes enough money to take care of herself, and her 6 older brothers and sisters in their dotage.

15 posted on 05/29/2009 8:19:21 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: Peter Libra
I confess a lot of rather maudlin persons such as myself, did sort of choke up a little at her first foray in front of Cowell.

You're far stronger than I. I blubbered like a fool!

16 posted on 05/29/2009 8:25:12 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: Donald Rumsfeld Fan

Great job.

Sarah Brighman does a wonderful job:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2PLC0EHkvQ

Can’t stand Striesand personally, but she does it justice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyx2n_p9OZ8


17 posted on 05/29/2009 8:25:49 PM PDT by patriot08
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To: All

oops, Streisand


18 posted on 05/29/2009 8:27:47 PM PDT by patriot08
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To: Proud_USA_Republican
I thought the same at first, but I think you are wrong.
Do some searching of the show on youtube and you will find some incredibly awful, embarrassing performances. The judges are just as surprised by those. Some can't get one sentence out of their mouth without being buzzed of the stage. Some have to be drug off.
19 posted on 05/29/2009 8:29:41 PM PDT by broncobilly
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To: SuziQ

I hope she wins, too.
Wonder how Paul Potts is doing? Now THAT one made me cry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA


20 posted on 05/29/2009 8:31:03 PM PDT by patriot08
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