The third live semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent kicked off on Saturday (May 9) night – but not everyone was impressed. Before the eight acts took to the stage in a bid to impress the judges, studio audiences and viewers at home were treated to a performance from Avenue Q – a musical comedy featuring puppets and human actors.
But as the cast hit the BGT stage to open the show, many complained that ventriloquism felt poorly executed and unconvincing, with the visible moving of the performers’ mouths breaking the illusion. One fumed: “What is this c**p all of a sudden where you see the puppeteers!! It’s shocking, like what’s the point even!! Bring back Jim Henson’s Muppets.”
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“You can see the people moving the puppets,” another pointed out as a third weighed in: “What’s this opening act? What are we watching? The worst ventriloquist act ever? So dull and boring and just a waste of a slot.”
Another baffled viewer added: “They aren’t even trying not to move their mouths.”
A fifth echoed: “They’re not very good ventriloquists, are they? I can see their lips move. XXXX #bgt.”
Also hitting out at the performance, someone else posted: “Me trying to think back through the past week to recall what atrocity I did to deserve this.”
Others admitted to appreciating the performance, with one writing: “It’s not really ventriloquism if their mouths are moving – still enjoyed that though.” A second agreed: “I love Avenue Q.”
Acts from tonight’s semi-final range from dancers, circus performers and choirs – all of whom are hoping to impress judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and newcomer KSI, who replaced Bruno Tonioli.
Winning a place in the grand final means the acts will get a chance at winning the £250,000 cash prize and an opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
Those vying for a spot in the final include dance group Playground, The Lux City Choir, daredevil act Liwei Yang, dance group Mega Unity, acrobat Mizuki Shinagawa, performance group Antigravity, harpist and singer Niamh Noade and comedian Ted Hill.
Whoever makes it through tonight will join already confirmed finalists Matty Juniosa, dance duo Anastasiia and Salsa, dance group LMA and magician Fabian Fox.
