Everybody’s Talking About Jamie At New Victoria Theatre, Woking Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Kelly Victoria

Last night was the opening performance of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking.

The show is based on the real-life story of sixteen-year-old Jamie New (played by Finton Flynn) and his struggle as a teenage boy to be accepted as a gay, want to be drag queen who doesn’t fit the “norms” of everyday life in Sheffield.

Supported by his dedicated single Mum (played by Rebecca McKinnis) who is his biggest cheerleader and will go to the ends of the earth to protect her son, Jamie is given the strength he needs to stay firm and fight to be allowed to be his true self.

School life isn’t easy, but with the confidence and encouragement of his best friend Pritti (played by Talia Palamathanan) he is able to be brave and fight for what he believes in.

With the support of Pritti and the encouragement of his closest allies, Jamie has the courage to show his classmates and teacher the real depth of his character and stand firm to believe that he can be exactly who he wants to be and attend the school prom wearing a dress – despite prejudice and bullying.

The whole show is glittered with fabulousness – with big dance numbers, upbeat songs and colourful drag – perfectly marrying hard hitting and important lessons with glitz, glamour and humour.

The whole cast were first class and the ensemble was energetic and lit up the stage perfectly performing the dance moves brilliantly choreographed by Kate Prince with all the energy and attitude you’d fully expect from a bunch of teenage year elevens.

We were fortunate enough to be treated to a performance from understudy Jamie – Flinton Flynn.  It’s safe to say his portrayal of Jamie was an absolute smash! Flinton played Jamie with the perfect amount of fierceness and sass, but also captured Jamie’s vulnerable side with emotion and vulnerability.  The highlight for me has to be Flynn closing the show with the iconic scene wearing his much-adorned denim jacket belting out the finale with the entire cast on stage and soaking in the audience who were all on their feet.

There were also plenty of laughs from Shobna Gulati as Ray, Margaret New’s loyal best friend. Dropping one liners throughout the whole show which were impeccably delivered -you couldn’t help but giggle and totally fall in love with her unique and character.

Rebecca McKinnis’ rendition of the vocally challenging He’s My Boy was emotional, totally heart wrenching and completely believable.  The song had you clutching at the heart strings of the lengths she’s gone to in order to protect and love her son, despite the lack of support from Jamie’s Dad.

The whole audience were on their feet at the end of the show bopping with the incredible cast as they showed us out in style with the epic finale.  The well-deserved standing ovation just demonstrated how incredibly brilliant the performance was.

This show is a true celebration of diversity and a masterclass in the importance of acceptance and standing up to prejudice. You’ll leave feeling completely uplifted and totally inspired.

It’s clear to see why everybody’s talking about Jamie… and if you’re not, you ought to be!

The New Victoria Theatre in Woking is home to the show from Monday 29th January to Saturday 3rd February. Tickets start from £33.40.

Rating: 5/5

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/everybodys-talking-about-jamie/new-victoria-theatre

(photo credits Matt Crockett)