It’s near enough two years since EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE played at the Wales Millennium Centre and now it’s back, it somehow feels fresher and even more relevant than ever. Until you’ve actually seen this show you really won’t get what everybody’s talking about.
We were at the opening night of this current production, and although there’s a few familiar faces, and the set and staging is similar, with new cast members, who bring their own vibe to this incredible production, I can tell you, if you were there two years ago, get back and watch it again – you won’t regret.
Before we give you our take on the show, here’s what the audience thought of the opening performance – including a chat with one of the stars of the show JOHN PARTRIDGE. As you’ll see, the message it delivers feels somehow even more relevant than ever.
Jamie has been around for a while now (2017) and I admit to coming to the show a little later than that, having seen the then London cast perform a number from the show during the Olivier Awards a few years ago. It picked up an award that evening, and many more over the years. From that night I’ve more than made up for it, and even devoured the movie a couple of times since it was released.
It’s a big, bold and brave tale you might know as it’s inspired by a true story. Its authenticity is best described in the movie (Amazon Prime), they say – all of this is true, we’ve just added the songs.
Without doubt you will laugh out loud, have a little cry to yourself, and on occasions flinch at the problems faced by young Jamie.
The show is about a young lad who wants to be a drag queen. The boy in question is Jamie Campbell, who featured in a 2011 BBC Three Documentary Jamie: Drag Queen At 16. At the time he lived on a council estate in Sheffield, where he didn’t quite fit in. Like every teenager he had doubts about his future, but one thing he was absolutely certain of is that he was destined for greatness.
To help him move away from the negativity he was supported by his brilliant, loving mum and surrounded by loyal friends. Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie delivers a simple message that’s more relevant today than ever – never be afraid to be yourself.
It’s easy to compare the show to other musicals of its type, but there is something unique about Jamie and we mean both the real person and the show itself.
We had a certain Strictly contestant in the lead role last time, but once again the producers have found something incredibly magical in the new lead IVANO TURCO. His portrayal of Jamie feels familiar, yet miles away from that of Leyton.
Like the real Jamie, Ivano steps out into the spotlight to give the most incredible performance. He is a very expressive, joyful performer and will capture you from the get go. It’s pretty clear that he is loving being up on that Donald Gordon stage as much as we are watching him. His voice is exceptional but the dancing is off the chart good. It’s good to see a dancer using every part of their body to express emotions, rather than get from A to B.
I mentioned the crying thing, I challenge you to not shed a little tear at his moving rendition of ‘Ugly in the Ugly World.’
To give you an idea of the power of Jamie, the volume of TV favourites on this tour is impressive. Depending where you are, and when the tour gets your way, you are guaranteed to see someone you recognise, and boy do we have our fair share of familiar in Cardiff.
JOHN PARTRIDGE is no stranger to these here parts and has made Hugo/Loco Chanelle very much his own. Hugo is like the Dad that Jamie wishes he had and gives him the education in Drag that school most certainly doesn’t provide.
Being a drag queen isn’t just a ‘boy in a dress‘ he tells Jamie. He doesn’t so much tell, but shows and sings his way through his dual personas. It’s a great routine and a brilliant performance from John.
As for Jamie’s real dad, played by AKSHAY ST CLAIR, he really does show his true colours towards his son, and sadly they aren’t the colours of the LGBTQ flag. Akshay also doubled as Sandra Bollock.
There are other TV faces you’ll recognise but each of them fill their respective roles in Jamie perfectly.
HAYLEY TAMADDON, you will recognise from Emmerdale or Dancing on Ice, where she was fun, glam and all things showbiz. Here, she gives a fantastic Miss Hedge who is the most uninspiring careers teacher you’ll ever meet. Her character appears to be one thing but quickly turns into the someone very different. Hayley manoeuvres Miss Hedge skilfully through these changes.
You see SHOBNA GULATI, who plays the part of Ray, and of course you think of her long standing role in Coronation Street. Or maybe, like us, as Anita in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies. But she shines in the show with some of the best lines, which had us all laughing out loud. Incidentally, Shobna is also in the movie version of Jamie which is on Amazon Prime now.
We spoke to Shobna recently about her love of the show, and a few other career highs which may surprise you. You can take a look at our interview HERE.
Now, we did say you’ll cry during the show, and you will, trust me. GEORGINA HAGEN who stepped in for REBECCA MCKINNIS as Jamie’s mum Margaret also gave an outstanding performance. She has stand out moments throughout the show, but the one which does it every time, whether you’re a parent or not, is her solo number ‘He’s My Boy’. The title kind of says it all, but the way she performs the song, with such heartbreaking conviction, really is one of the highlights for me.
The rest of the cast – and it’s a fair old size, are superb. You can see who is who, and get their full bios – HERE. Credit too goes to the Jamie band, they are spectacular throughout.
And that brings us to the music. Every song is a belter and will have you reaching for your favourite streaming service to listen to them on the way home (or maybe a CD from the concession stall). DAN GILLESPIE SELLS wrote the music (lead singer/songwriter with The Feeling), with lyrics by TOM MACRAE, and what a combination they make. Apart from And You Don’t Even Know It and He’s My Boy, this is a show filled with absolute belters. Add to that some great performers putting their stamp on them, and you have a truly memorable musical.
This is, of course Jamie’s story, the show is all about him, but there are people in his life who not only encouraged, supported, and sometimes had a negative impact on him, but nevertheless, they have their stories too, and they are woven into the production seamlessly.
TALIA PALAMATHANAN is Pritti who is Jamie’s best friend. She wants to be a doctor, so is, understandably a little bit of a bookworm. As you can imagine she has to contend with her own share of bullying from Dean, but she is supportive, encouraging and gives Jamie that extra push when he needs it. She plays the part beautifully and gives an incredible performance of ‘And It Means Beautiful’.
The producers have very cleverly written some updated dialogue to take into account the last coupe of years and our changing times. So, without spoiling it too much, listen out for the new gags and references.
Jamie’s story is one we’ve heard about many times. It’s told in a thoughtful, compassionate and hilarious way, but don’t be in any doubt, the message it leaves you with.
By the end of the show you will be on your feet, singing, dancing and inspired by what you’ve seen on stage. It’s a joy to watch from start to finish. I think the highest praise we can give is the cross section of audience who were at opening night. We saw people from 8 to 80, and without a shadow of doubt, everybody left talking about Jamie and the joy it brought to the stage..
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE is at the Wales Millennium Centre though to Saturday 28th October. Performances are at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets start at just £17.50. For more details, and to book yours – go HERE.
Incidentally, take a look at our original feature to find out more about the show and the fantastic work they do with charities such as Back2School HERE.
