JADAR

★★★★☆

Roll up for the show everybody has been talking about as it launches its second UK tour, debuting at Salford’s Lowry Theatre with the real Jamie and family attending press night.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie follows the story of Jamie New (Ivano Turco) as he embraces his inner drag queen persona and goes on a journey of self-discovery with his friends and family, eventually hoping to conquer his fears and go to the prom in his dress.

The show was originally developed by Tom McRae, based on the true story of Jamie, AKA Mimi Me, and became a musical movie in 2021. Tackling the hard-hitting realities of school bullies like Dean (Jordon Ricketts) and cruel fathers (Akshay St
Clair), whilst simultaneously evoking constant laughter from its audience, the show is a whirlwind of emotions that’s sure to thrill all types of theatre lovers.

Having never seen the show or movie previously, I was eager to see what the show would have in store for me and what new earworms I’d have drumming around my head everyday, and it certainly did not disappoint.

The curtains opened to a framed structure making up the backdrop of the year 11 classroom, with the silhouettes of the band members tuning their instruments and a fierce ensemble dance routine introducing the catchiest motif of the show “and you don’t even know it”. The song drums in the themes of fame and self-discovery that become key as Jamie and the other teens navigate the job industry and their identity in general. The song also contains a catchy rap by the slightly conservative Miss Hedge (Corrie‘s Hayley Tamaddon).

Other particularly great songs include the titular, ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”, “It Means Beautiful” (sung by Pritti, played by Talia Palamathanan), and “He’s My Boy”, the latter sung with such heartfelt passion by Jamie’s mother, Margaret (Rebecca Mckinnis), that you couldn’t help but feel her heartthrob- a rare and beautiful talent.

Whilst some of the songs were extremely catchy and recycled with different meanings throughout, the only critique I could add is that other songs felt less climatic after powerful ballads or energetic sequences. By no means was this to do with the skill of the ensemble, who were phenomenal (especially Turco with his Michael Jackson-esque smoothness). Rather, it felt
like some songs couldn’t keep up with the success of others. However, each number achieved its goal of portraying genuine emotions and storytelling.

Classrooms transformed into houses with dismal projections of the grey Sheffield rooftops and a rotating set piece with an adjoining kitchen and staircase. One thing I particularly loved about the set design was the splash of red and yellow used in the kitchen – colours commonly associated with Jamie (his red dress and heels, yellow accessories, blonde hair, etc.), ensuring his personality shone through every nook and cranny of the play.

Houses transformed into drag fashion store Victor’s Secret, or the backstage to the Legs Eleven drag club where the audience finally meets Hugo and his drag persona Loco Chanelle (EastEnders‘ John Partridge, who we interviewed before the show), along with other drag acts.

Partridge and Turco, in particular, were so full of energy and vigour that completely
brought the characters to life and made their storie s- already genuine tales – ever more realistic and tangible, as Jamie learns from a new father figure.

Here the musical really showcases its ability to balance the struggles of stage fright and self-identity with an ever-entertaining
amount of gags, puns and jokes that had the audience roaring in their seats.

Before the interval, the audience were left with a hauntingly beautiful image of Jamie after discovering his drag persona with the help of his friends, coming onto the stage before being projected across breezy show curtains. The symbology behind this image was so pure and pivotal to the story… Jamie blossoms in this moment from a terrified young man hiding his
emotions to an excited and self-accepting beauty.

In the latter half, friends banded together, more humour brewed, especially from the hilariously potty-mouthed Ray (Corrie‘s Shobna Gulati), arguments ensued, and a prom was attended, but did Jamie get his happily ever after? You’ll have to watch this heartwarming and humorous spectacular to find out!

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie began its second UK tour at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre) on 7th September; it plays there until 17th September 2023 and tours the UK until 20th July 2024.

Photo: Matt Crockett