Show: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Society: Sheffield Theatres
Venue: Lyceum Theatre (Sheffield Thestres)
Credits: Music by Dan Gillespie Sells, book and lyrics by Tom MacRae, directed by Jonathan Butterell
Type: Sardines
Author: Joanne Thornewell
Performance Date: 10/04/2024
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Joanne Thornewell | 11 Apr 2024 17:51pm
Photo: Matt Crockett
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is based on a true story, which always gives a special authenticity to any stage production. In this case it is the story of a sisxteen-year-old boy living in a Sheffield council estate who doesn’t fit in.
The show started life as a Sheffield Theatres production at the Crucible Theatre in 2017 and made a successful West End transfer resulting in two national tours and a film.
I should perhaps confess that I saw the original production at the Crucible back in 2017 and was completely blown away. This touring production has a lot to live up to!
So am I still blown away? Oh, absolutely – 5 stars just isn’t enough!
The show has a fabulous opening number in And You Don’t Even Know It, with excellent performances from the ensemble of Year 11 kids. Their sass and attitude is fully realised and this song hits the audience with high energy and starts the buzz of the show which never lets up. The fast, slick choreography blends seamlessly with well timed moving of the desks to create platforms. As teacher, Miss Hedge, Sam Bailey gives a great vocal performance.
Ivano Turco captures Jamie New’s mischief and passion perfectly. He completely convinces as a 16 year old boy who wants to be a drag queen and his performance is confident, exuberant and engaging. His acting, dancing and singing are so impressive. Like Jamie, this young man is at the start of his career and I predict great things for him. Remember the name.
The key to the show is the relationship Jamie has with his Mum, Margaret. His father is not interested and disowns Jamie, so his Mum overcompensates in her undying support. In tonight’s performance, we saw the alternate Margaret, Georgina Hagen who is wonderful in the role. Her two big solos were excellent and she totally nails showstopper He’s My Boy with flawless singing and conveying every strong emotion in the powerful lyrics. There are plenty of tissues evident in the audience when Jamie and Margaret sing their tender duet in Act 2. Their connection is extremely well portrayed.
Jamie’s best friend Pritti Pasha is played this evening by understudy Rhiannon Bacchus who also gives a lovely performance. Her dispatching of school bully, Dean is done with style and her two songs are both delightful, in particular It Means Beautiful which is mesmerising.
Kevin Clifton is best known as a professional dancer, but his acting and singing as Hugo/Loco Chanelle are first rate. I was pleasantly surprised by how good he is in the role, both as the mundane Hugo and the glamorous Loco – totally unrecognisable and with a great American accent too. His performance was very natural and likeable and tonight’s audience gave him a huge cheer as he took his bow.
Lighting is used to great effect in this production. It changes for every musical number highlighting the transitions for the audience and creating a bespoke style for each song. This worked particularly well for The Legend of Loco Chanelle and It Means Beautiful where the space projections from Pritti’s lamp were also beautiful.
The scenes with the Drag Queens at Legs Eleven are hilarious. The three actors, Anthony Gyde, Garry Lee and David McNair really seem to be having lots of fun with their fabulous roles and tonight’s audience loved them. The synchronised smoking was especially delicious. There was some lovely harmony work from them on Over The Top too.
This feelgood show is polished, slick, clever, has great performances, wonderful choreography, humour and loads of heart. It thoroughly deserved the standing ovation it received from tonight’s audience and I strongly suspect this highly talented cast sees that every night.