Everybody’s talking about Jamie – and you will be nattering about him non-stop, too, after seeing this sparkler of a show.
You’ll also be singing the catchy tunes and lyrics written by Tom Macrae and Dan Gillespie Sells (lead singer of The Feeling) for days afterwards. They’ll embed themselves in your head. As does the story – based on real-life Jamie Campbell, a 16 year old boy with a secret he wanted to tell.
This smash musical ran in the West End’s Apollo Theatre from October 2017 to September 2021 and it’s now on a UK tour you don’t want to miss.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll gasp at this tale that encompasses everything from acceptance to friendship to finding the freedom to fly, and you’ll cheer on and appreciate the talent and energy on that stage.
The show – filled with style and moves to make you smile – sees Sheffield schoolboy Jamie New (played with pure panache by Layton Williams) follow his passion to become a drag-queen. From the moment he first puts on his sky-high red stilettos, we’re willing him all the way to get where he wants to be – despite all odds against him.
Layton shines brightly for sure, and he owns the stage (and those red stilettos) as he sings, dances, sashays and delivers subtle one-liners with a knowing smile. But it’s not just ‘The Jamie Show’ and he doesn’t overshadow the rest of the talented cast.
There are familiar faces you’ll know from the telly – including Shobna Gulati as the straight-talking, riotous and loveable Ray, George Sampson (Britain’s Got Talent) as a well-portrayed bully Dean, plus Shane Richie as Hugo and his alter-ego Loco Chanelle (Richie wasn’t playing the part last night, but it was taken over excellently by Rhys Taylor ).
Sharan Phull was great as Pritti Pasha, Jamie’s best friend, her rendition of ‘Beautiful’ was especially touching.
A real highlight for me was Amy Ellen Richardson as Jamie’s mother Margaret. She plays the loving mother to perfection but it was her raw and emotional rendition of ‘He’s My Boy’ that really got me. As a mother of two boys, the tears were rolling uncontrolledly throughout (and I defy anyone to get through that number without at least a little sniff).
All the audience were at their feet at the end of this feel-good show and dancing along with the superb cast.
Everybody’s Talking about Jamie is on at the Wales Millennium Centre until Nov 20 – more info and tickets at wmf.org.uk.
Tour dates at everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk
Pics by Matt Crockett