Reviewed by Amanda Browne
The Royal & Derngate in Northampton is a lovely theatre tucked away in the heart of Northampton. On a good day five minutes from the motorway, with a variety of parking options a stone’s throw from the theatre. The theatre staff are always friendly and welcoming, with a variety of bars available for refreshments. We took to our seats a few minutes before the show began, the theatre was busy with no seat untaken, a mostly younger audience we all awaited the opening of the show.
I had heard little about the show other than it was a must see, so was surprised that it was a story with a Drag Queen theme. Think Priscilla Queen of the Desert meets Pitch Perfect. I have to say hats off to casting, I have never seen such a diverse set of cast members, for someone who’s youngest child is 19, they got the mix spot on.
This is a story that felt quite personal for me. A mum, bringing up her child, shielding them from the harsh realities of the world, not just from peers, but their own dad. Many women of my generation have probably lived this very life, covering for the man in their children’s world, letting them think that they had two parents who cared when the reality was somewhat different. Encouraging them to live the dream, regardless of the cost to everyone else. It’s what being a parent is all about. My first reflections of the show were that it was all about Jamie, but you have to watch it to understand it really isn’t.
If I met myself again, a song in the first half probably the most touching song I’ve heard in a show for a very long time. All those mums out there, doing their best living every moment so their children can live their best life, can relate to this. Gosh I felt very overwhelmed, would I change a thing, absolutely not, and neither did Jamie’s mum.
The show is a story of courage, friendship, resilience, dreams, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a cast, every single member was a brilliant dancer, it was very upbeat and now, with some very good choreography. The set is pretty amazing, and transforms between school, home and drag queen hall with ease. Jamie is played by the most amazing young man, with the most amazing set of legs I have seen this year Mr Layton Williams. Wow, he played his part to perfection, and I certainly haven’t seen that much sass on stage before, loved him. Amy Ellen Richardson plays Jamie’s mum to great effect, she was so believable, and my heart broke for her trying to support your child when you know they are not taking an easy path is no easy feat. There is some very choice language in the show, but it’s all relevant, and delivered in the wittiest way. The audience were entertained tonight for sure.
I shouldn’t forget to mention Miss Shobna Gulati as mums friend Ray, bit of a potty mouth, very very funny, great singing voice to. Mr Shane Ritchie doesn’t have the biggest of parts, but he was very good and wore his green dress beautifully. Almost as well as the other drag queens, who were magnificent.
It was a really fab show and I’m very glad to have seen it, I couldn’t have been prouder if Jamie had been my own when he attended Prom at the end of the show. Life is tough enough without being so different that your school friends’ teachers and your own father don’t support or accept you for who you are. Everyone should take a leaf out of Jamie’s book in my opinion, bravo everyone, you were brilliant, you all got a very deserved standing ovation. Grab yourself a ticket, Jamie is in Northampton for the rest of the week.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £28 (booking fees may apply).
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is at the Royal& Derngate in Northampton from 10-14 March 2020, for more information or to book tickets visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk or call the box office on 01604 624811.
Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP | 01604 624811
