Theatre: Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Theatre: Apollo Theatre, London
Creatives: Dan Gillespie-Sells, Tom Macrae, Jonathan Butterell
Run Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Running till: January 2020
My Rating: 5/5

"A boy in a dress is something to be laughed at, 

but a Drag Queen is something to be feared" 

Everybody's Talking About Jamie is a brilliant new musical in the West End; inspired by the BBC Three documentary Jamie: Drag Queen At 16, and based upon the real life Jamie Campbell. Everybody's Talking About Jamie (ETAJ) opened in 2017 and focuses on Jamie New, just turned sixteen and received his first pair of bright red heels. Jamie dreams of becoming a drag performer, not a forklift truck driver like his careers psychometric test suggests. Despite doubts about his dream Jamie is supported by his best friend Priti, his mother and his mother's best friend, whilst the rest of his school laugh as bully, Dean, torments Jamie in class. Jamie persists to become Sheffield's first drag queen, alongside finding a dress to rock at prom, and ultimately finding out who he truly is. Jamie New by day and Mimi Me by drag.

I have seen the musical before, last May (2018), when John McCrea was starring in the title role of Jamie New. McCrea gave an amazing performance but this year he has handed the baton over to Layton Williams. Williams gave a spectacular performance of Jamie including his own twist and interpretations on the character. He is funny, charismatic and energetic, jumping on to school tables for dance numbers (wow!). Layton Williams can also dance, lifting those long toned legs to do splits in the air. AMAZING!
 Starring alongside Williams is Shane Ritchie as he performs a short run of Hugo/Loco Chanelle. Ritchie, most famously known for his role as Alfie Moon in EastEnders and his one-hit-wonder cover song of Wham!'s "I'm Your Man", was really good in the role portraying a semi-retired drag queen. He was funny, had really good stage presence and I was surprised when I saw him dressed up as Loco Chanelle. Although I admit, looking a little camp, he still rocked the persona nonetheless.
 There were a lot of new faces compared to last time, including Rebecca McKinnis as Jamie's Mum, Margaret, who gave an outstanding performance of the song He's My Boy; and Hayley Tamaddon taking over the role of Miss Hedge from Michelle Visage (yes, from RuPaul's Drag Race). Sabrina Sandhu playing Jamie's best friend Priti Pasha gave an amazing performance and has incredible vocals in her song It Means Beautiful. I really love Priti's character as she fights for what is right, she sticks up for Jamie, and despite getting insulted for wearing a hijab and being intelligent, she proves them all wrong.

Likewise when I watched the matinee showing of ETAJ I was fortunate to see the understudy of Jamie's father (Momar Diagne) who had previously played the understudy of Lola in the West End's version of Kinky Boots. I also saw him play Lola back in September last year, which he was phenomenal in.
 It was nice to see some of the supporting actors from the first time around continue their contract, including the school bully Dean, played by Luke Baker, who still continues to give a really great performance, making the audience struggle to like his character throughout. Following on the three drag queens who star in the show were just as comical and outstanding as before.

I thought the stage design was simple yet effective. The use of the school tables being transformed into a runway/dance platform and even a brick wall to create different locations within the story was really unique. The movements of the back wall was really clever to create different settings, e.g Jamie's home, with one wall swinging open to display his kitchen, and likewise the other wall moving forward to create the illusion of the Miss Hedge's office. Very clever directions used.

It is impossible to talk about a musical and not discuss the soundtrack. What a perfect display of emotions from an upbeat start (And You Don't Even Know It), to then create the emotions Jamie is feeling throughout his uncertainty (The Wall In My Head), ebbing and flowing all the way through to the end, with another upbeat song, Out of the Darkness (A Place Where We Belong), and finishing full-circle with all the highs the audience witnessed throughout the show. Everybody's Talking About Jamie definitely deserved their win of Best Cast Recording at the What's On Stage awards this year. This album has been constantly playing all week since I've seen the show. It is a really good soundtrack.

Overall the story and the music is fantastic, the show really takes you on a journey and displays the true meaning of growing up, pursuing and fighting for your dream. It is more than just a play about a young boy who wants to become a performer. The play features themes of racism and school bullying, where Dean bullies Priti for being too smart, alongside themes of family and friendship, and love and loss. You will be laughing, possibly welling up, but all round smiling throughout the experience.
 I went to the matinee showing which was just as good as an evening show. I would recommend that those intending to take younger members be aware that there is foul language used, but that shouldn't dishearten you as it is a fantastic story and musical all around. An amazing show that I hope to see again and again.

Enjoy x

Everybody's Talking About Jamie Website