Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Alhambra Theatre Bradford Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Kat Harrison
If you like stage shows then there’s absolutely no reason not to see Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. The opening night audience at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre reacted just as you’d expect to a record-breaking, award-winning, critically acclaimed show. Standing ovation. Massive applause. Whoops of delight.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie takes us back to school where Jamie New and his Year 11 classmates are preparing for their Leaver’s Prom.
Inspired by the true story of a 16-year-old who aspires to become a drag queen, the musical follows Jamie’s battle to truly be himself. It’s a boy’s journey of self-realisation and of not just fitting in, but fighting for the freedom to be who you want to be. The narrative is very much about standing up to bullies, or perhaps educating those we may kindly consider less worldly.
As a whole, the audience absolutely loved this show. For me, it didn’t quite meet the expectations I had for such a well-reviewed and much revered musical. The acting stood head and shoulders above the musicality of the show and in parts I almost wanted to fast forward through the songs so I could experience more of the drama playing out through the spoken word.
The dialogue and the direction is spot-on. I was engaged and invested in the story and the characters (but almost willing them not to burst into song). I’d much rather this story be a straight forward dramatisation than a show interspersed with singing.
The young cast made themselves believably younger; I wasn’t watching university graduates portray secondary school kids, these could have been students freshly picked out of their GCSE exams. Their teenage mannerisms and movements are hugely convincing and despite not being overly thrilled with the musical elements, I can’t deny that their perfectly timed, flowing dance sequences, have been spectacularly choreographed by Kate Prince and admirably delivered by them.
Nothing can take away the fact that the cast are superbly talented. The majority excel and whilst each character is defined by their relationship with Jamie, they each hold their own.
Jamie is played by West End sensation Ivano Turco whose comedic timing ensures he excels in the role, delivering the clever dialogue dynamically.
I believe my main issue with this show as a musical, stems from the sound. The band overpower the vocals and I had difficult making out the lyrics, particularly in more upbeat numbers and felt the cast were fighting to be heard. The story and the emotion were a little lost in the noise, highlighted particularly so when the acting scenes in comparison were so on point. The cast would go from holding me in the palm of their hand to losing me to the music.
Everybody’s Talking about Jamie has an original score, made up from a host of catchy pop tunes composed by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae (Doctor Who). Today, I’m all set to listen to the soundtrack as I think I missed so much content that would have made me enjoy the show more, had the live vocals been balanced with the band.
The stand out performer of the night was Rebecca McKinnis who plays Jamie’s supportive Mum, Margaret. Rebecca offered what I want from a musical – a super strong, touching vocal performance that added to and gave meaning to the action. Her amazing voice is like silk and at times had hints of the late, great Karen Carpenter, her balladic, emotional numbers providing beautiful relief from the pop tunes that sadly last night didn’t quite hit the spot in conveying the story.
Rebecca proved herself as both a talented actor and singer, and was an undeniable favourite across the audience for her hugely heartfelt performance of a Mum who loves her son unconditionally.
The show has several names audiences may recognise, including X-Factor Winner Sam Bailey, who does a great job of portraying Jamie’s dismissive teacher. I remember loving her voice when she appeared on the TV talent show but although this production did little to show it off, Sam certainly proves her worth in terms of stage presence. She succeeds in riling up the audience, leaving them wanting to shake her for the character’s lack of backbone in standing up to support her student.
Strictly star Kevin Clifton as Hugo and his drag alter ego ‘Loco Chanelle’ was quietly flamboyant, the character mentoring Jamie as he took to the stage for his debut drag performance. Kevin’s voice too is understated but it all comes together to create the perfect persona for the role, a unique mix of sass and sadness.
Considering drag is a central theme of the show, I strangely found the cameos from ‘The Legs Eleven’ drag queens unnecessary. The lead characters carry the story so well, the drag queens seemed shoehorned in. A little oxymoronic but I don’t feel anything would have been amiss without them.
Jamie’s first performance as a drag queen was totally overlooked, particularly in comparison to similar stage debut storylines in The Full Monty and Kinky Boots which literally set the stage alight. I wonder whether Legs Eleven could have created a similar dynamic in an alternative version that didn’t make the Final Cut. The use of video in Jamie’s club drag scene may have been designed to add drama, but for me, there’s nothing more powerful than live action.
I did love Anna Fleischle’s stage design that worked not unlike a doll’s house with a hinged outside façade of a school (also doubling as a classroom with desks swiftly rolled in) which opened up to reveal Jamie’s kitchen. The clever set-up also allowed for swift scene swaps to the House of Loco drag shop and the dreary front door of the house of Jamie’s equally dreary Dad. I couldn’t take to this actor at all; he just didn’t have the ability to encourage me to summon up the energy to hate the character like I knew I should.
All in all, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a compelling drama. The musical element doesn’t do it for me but the story is both touching and funny. It has plenty for the whole family (there is some choice language but if the kids are in secondary school, they’ll have heard it all in the playground!)
It’s a modern coming of age story that tackles very relevant issues and in this case, celebrates a victory over antagonisers and intimidators. It truly relishes in the importance of family and friendships. It’s a heart warming one, and everyone will find something they like amongst all the action. Everyone will be talking about Jamie.
Rating: 3.5/5
Everyone’s Talking About Jamie is at The Bradford Alhambra until the 6th July, with tickets priced between £20.25 and £45.75.
Find out more and buy tickets @
https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/everybodys-talking-about-jamie or call the Box Office on 01274 432000.
The 2024 UK Tour continues (and ends) in Leicester. See https://everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk/tour-dates-and-book-tickets for more information.
Photo Credit: Matt Crockett