Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Kings Theatre Portsmouth Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Jan Dixon
I had the pleasure of reviewing the above musical at the Kings Theatre, Southsea on the opening night of 7th May 2024. The show runs between 7th May 2024 to 11th May 2024 inclusive at 19.30 with matinee performances at 14.30 on 9th May and 11th May 2024. Ticket prices start from £19.50 with concessions available. Running time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (including interval).
This musical is inspired by a documentary made by Jamie Campbell called Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, first aired on 9th July 2011 on the BBC. He wanted to share his ambition of not only wanting to wear a dress at his school prom, but to have a career as a drag queen. This led to Jonathan Butterell, the Director and Co-writer, creating a musical based on Jamie’s experiences in 2014, very ably assisted by Dan Gillespie Sells (Music) and Tom Macrae (Book and Lyrics). It premiered in Sheffield on 9th February 2017; and was first performed in the West End in 2017. It is currently on a very successful second UK tour.
It is set in a working class community in Sheffield, on a council estate. The main focus is on Jamie and the strong and emotional connection he has with his fiercely protective mother. The storyline is based on sixteen year Jamie who doesn’t feel he quite fits in with his peers and their ambitions. Brilliant start to the show with a lively scene set in the classroom of Jamie’s school where a careers lesson is taking place. Miss Hedge (Sam Bailey) holds sway, trying to control the unruly teenagers. This is where Jamie starts to tentatively test the ground at school with his hopes and ambitions. Jamie (Ivano Turco) very beautifully sings a poignant song ‘The Wall In My Head.’ which is emotionally charged with his inner turmoil. His relationship with his best friend, Pritti Pasha (Talia Palamathanan) is portrayed best through song, with Talia’s rendition of ‘It Means Beautiful’ tearing at the heartstrings. When Jamie meets Hugo (Kevin Clifton) he realises that his ambition to attend the prom in a dress and become a drag queen can become a reality. This spurs him on to challenge his doubters, in particular his nemesis Dean (Jordan Ricketts) and Miss Hedge who he wins over with his unwavering belief in himself and what he knows he is capable of achieving in his life.
The scenes between Jamie and his mother Margaret (Rebecca McKinnis) are undoubtedly the most emotional in the show, with Rebecca detailing how she met her errant ex-partner as a young woman through the song ‘If I Met Myself Again,’ ‘My Man, My Boy’ was a standout song sung initially by Rebecca and duetted by Jamie. What wonderfully heartfelt words, which Rebecca sang so perfectly with a mixture of pride and angst, resonated with the audience, who listened with respectful silence, ending in thunderous applause.
Scenes alternate between the classroom, Jamie’s home, dress shop and the prom. The choreography is absolutely excellent and the scene changes are expertly and seamlessly arranged by the cast.
I would thoroughly recommend this show and guarantee you will have a very entertaining evening with excellent songs, choreography, and a heart warming back story. You will be wishing Jamie well in his search for himself!
https://www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/whatson-event/everybodys-talking-about-jamie/?
Rating: 5/5