Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If there was any show to break my 18-month theatre hiatus – it had to be this one. Explosive. Emotional. Empowering. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is one of the biggest productions to head to Manchester since the pandemic.
Explosive. Emotional. Empowering.
The show first wowed audiences at Sheffield Crucible in 2017 before transferring to the West End later that year. Since then, the musical has taken the entertainment world by storm with a big-screen adaptation, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: The Movie, hitting Amazon Prime later this month and a North American premiere planned for next year. And once you’ve seen the show…you’ll realise…that it’s no wonder everybody’s STILL talking about Jamie.
Inspired by a 2011 BBC real-life documentary, ‘Jamie: Drag Queen at 16’, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie charts the story of Sheffield teenager Jamie New and his journey ‘out of the darkness’ to become a drag queen.
With an explosive ensemble opening – ‘And You Don’t Even Know It’ – it’s clear that the show is going to be fabulous and feel good. Magnetic, sparkling and consuming, I felt invested in Jamie’s story from the get-go. Tom MacRae’s snappy and witty script is kept bang up-to-date with a good dose of Covid-related humour. Anna Fleischle’s set and costume design complement the high-energy production – transitions between scenes are smooth and aided by clever video projections. Dan Gillespie Sells’ musical score is a real highlight too – catchy pop-perfection – you’ll be humming it for days afterwards.
From the moment Layton Williams steps on stage as Jamie, he shines bright. Brilliant, sassy, loveable and effervescent. Softly spoken, he plays the role with a delicate vulnerability and loads of charm. There isn’t a weak link in the supporting cast either: Shane Richie as Jamie’s mentor Hugo aka drag queen Loco Chanelle; Shobna Gulati as quick-witted family friend Ray and Sharan Phull as Jamie’s best friend Pritti. Amy Ellen Richardson gives an outstanding performance as Jamie’s mum Margaret – her tear-inducing, goosebump-producing rendition of ‘He’s My Boy’ was so phenomenal, I found myself stifling my sobs.
‘He’s My Boy’ was so phenomenal, I found myself stifling my sobs.
With a live band suspended high on stage, stunning choreography, superb pacing and top-notch direction by Jonathan Butterell, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie received a well-deserved standing ovation on the night I attended. It’s sparkles, sequins and heels but it’s also a wonderful feel-good story about growing up, acceptance and taking care of the people you love.
-Kristy Stott
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie runs at The Lowry, Salford until Sunday 12th September 2021.