Jodie Prenger Swaps Bart for Bard???

She may have won the plum part of bad-girl-with-a-heart Nancy in Lionel Bart’s Oliver in the West End, but will Blackpool’s bubbly Jodie Prenger follow it up playing the much badder Lady Macbeth? Speaking to Whatsonstage.com at the opening night party of West Side Story last week (See News, 25 Jul 2008), Prenger, winner of the recent BBC talent show I’d Do Anything, revealed that she’s been attending Shakespeare acting classes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in preparation for her forthcoming West End role.

Prenger, who will be playing Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s production from December, told our insider that she’s relishing having the opportunity to have a bash at the Bard. “But singing live on Saturday night TV in front of millions of people was not nearly as scary as tackling Shakespeare at RADA” she said, adding that she’s “loving the challenge” of exploring scenes and speeches to develop her acting skills.

Prenger was at Sadler’s Wells to celebrate the London premiere of the 50th anniversary of West Side Story, which arrives in the capital after an international tour. Also present were celebrities Richard O’Brien, Bonnie Langford and one of Prenger’s I’d Do Anything co-contestants, Ashley Russell (See Photos, 25 Jul 2008).