Olivier! review I Rowan Atkinson on playing Fagin

Consider yourself . . . well in. She may have come second in the BBC talent show I’d Do Anything, but Jessie Buckley could still be Nancy, writes Jan Battles.

The 18-year old from Killarney lost out to Blackpool’s Jodie Prenger for the opportunity to star on London’s West End in the musical Oliver! but she has now been offered the role of understudy in the Cameron Mackintosh production.

Both Mackintosh and the show’s judge, Andrew Lloyd Webber, had declared the Kerry girl their favourite for the part but the British voting public opted for her rival. Rehearsals for the show, which will star Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, start in October and it opens two months later.

“She’s being engaged as an understudy to the role of Nancy, we hope,” said Nick Allott, managing director of Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. “We obviously think she’s fantastic. Cameron’s enthusiasm for her talent was obvious for all to see.”

Buckley is deciding whether to commit to the role. Prenger is contracted to do six performances a week, with another actress filling in for the other two. Buckley would take the stage if either were ill. She could not be engaged as the “alternate” Nancy as the company is prevented by its contract with the BBC from using any of the other finalists in alternate roles.

“It’s very important that she’s nurtured because it is an extraordinary natural talent and the temptation sometimes is to thrust people too quickly into the limelight without properly bringing it forward,” said Allott. “I hope she’s going to be a part of our life for a long time to come.”

Buckley has moved to London and signed with an agent. She is set to start a Rada Shakespearian course.

Times Recommends

• Please help: maimed children of war want their lives back
• Cabal seizes diamond riches to buy power
• White House gatecrashers got to the president