Everybody’s talking about Jamie is the story of the real life Jamie Campbell who had a secret and a dream. Two successful west end runs in 2020 and 2021 alongside an Amazon Prime original movie everybody’s talking about Jamie returns to the uk for a tour.
The cast is led by Ivano Turco as Jamie New With vocals and sass that will have you crying one minute and laughing the next. Alongside Ivano is John Partridge as Hugo/Loco Chanelle, Giovanna Fletcher as Mrs Hedge, Shobna Gulati as Ray, Rebecca McKinnis as Margaret new, Talia Palamathanan as Priti Pasha, Ky Kellly (Anthony Gyde) as Laika Virgin, Gary Lee as Sandra Bollock, David McNair as Tray Sophisticay, Akshay St Clair as Jamie’s dad and Jordan Rickets as Dean, Liv Ashman as Vicki, Rhiannon Bacchus as Fatima, Geoff Berrisford as Sayid, Jessica Daugirda as Bex, Finton Flynn as Young Coco/cover Jamie, Annabelle Laing as Becca, Lucas Moscardini as Levi, Joshian Angels Omanña as Cy, Thomas Walton as Mickey, Takaiyah Bailey as Female Swing, Joe Wolstenholme as Male Swing and Georgina Hagen as understudy Margaret/Ray/Mrs Hedge.
It’s Saturday 24th February and I arrive at the Peacock Theatre for Nica Burns the Sheffield’s Theatre production of everybody’s talking about jamie for the matinee performance. I’ve seen the show twice before in 2020 and 2021 both productions I adored. I’m excited to see what the new cast bring to the roles and I’m not dissapointed. The set designed by Anna Fleischle is glorious and scene changes are almost seamless. The lively opening number ‘and you don’t even know it’ confirms this is going to be a fantastic show with the incredible choreography. The scene is set in a classroom of rowdy year 12’s recieving career advice and being reminded that they can’t all be celebrities and footballers. Jamie is delivered the blow that he is set to be a forklift driver after he completed a psychometric career quiz.
Without wanting to give to many spoilers away for those who have not seen the show the pace is fast moving and shines a light on many different aspects of life from a struggling single mum, played by understudy Georgina Hagen during our visit who effortlessly belted out ballad ‘my boy’ reducing us to tears, Jamie a conflicted queer teenager making his way through high school being bullied and having a dad who is ashamed of him and Dean a high school bully learning that after school he may realise the errors of his ways.
The show is a joyous story that doesn’t shy away from tackling themes such as racism, homophobia, religion and parental rejection sensitively but still adding in comedic sparks when needed that had the audience roaring. A real stand out is Ray, Maragret News best friend who is always around and bringing market knock off snacks with her. The comedic timing and one liners are delivered wondefully by Shobna Gulati.
The drag scenes in the show leave little to the imaginations of the audience about what goes into becoming a drag queen and the outfits are nothing less then spectacular. The scenes in which the older queens help Jamie prepare for his debut are touching and leave the audience feeling heart warmed for the interval.
The second act begins as Jamie reenters school and confronts his bully and in the second act we delve deeper into the mystery behind Jamie’s dad who *spoiler* is a massive dick. We also learn more about how queer children are sometimes ostracised from traditional high school experiences like prom for just wanting to be themselves.
Overall the show has held up over time and the message in the show remains important, dream big, be yourself and most of all have fun doing it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Boo’s reviews
Add comment
Comments