I was in the audience for the afternoon London audition at Excel and I thought you might like to know about the new format.
I arrived at 9.30am, I had priority tickets so only half a dozen in front of me in that queue. There were already about a 100 in the standby queue. Seating compacity was 1700.
It was due to start at 1.45, but actually started at 2.30, finished at 6.30. I saw 20 acts, with a 20 minute break in between, which was a shambles with 1700
people heading for one toilet block, they wouldn't let you out to the others in the Excel centre.
We were allowed to cheer and clap at contestants we thought were good, but not boo at those we didn't like while they were singing. We could boo or cheer at the judges comments. This worked quite well.
Considering the production team only had a week to prepare for this, they did a good job of the set and stage.
The contestants sang with a backing track which was actually quite loud. If the judges didn't like what they were singing they often asked them to sing another track, with or without the backing.
The contestants - There were a couple of people who had been put through for entertainment value (or lack of it). On the whole the others were of a good standard. Two stood out for me...........a woman called Ruzzel from Tobago, she sang 'One night only' by Jennifer Hudson, she was excellent and was the only contestant to get a standing ovation from the judges and audience. The other was a young Italian guy, he sang Ancora, half in Italian and half in English, I loved him and will be very surprised if he doesn't make the final twelve. There must have been at least half a dozen women who sang Whitney Houston, if I heard another one I think I would have screamed.
I know the contestants didn't have much time to prepare for a live audience, but other then one guy who sang a Stevie Wonder number, none of the others tried to play to the audience. They really needed to do this as they stood a much better chance of getting through with the crowd behind them.
The judges - It was difficult to hear what they were saying, especially the girls. I do have worries for the show when Simon leaves, the other three were a bit like clones in their opinions.
Overall experience - I have to say I enjoyed the Britain's Got Talent auditions more then these. I think perhaps it was because you never knew what was coming up next. I felt the judges were a bit bored too. I do think it will come over on the television better for the live audience though.