Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Hull New Theatre

This week Hull New Theatre plays host to the hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, a production inspired by the 2011 TV documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 which features County Durham lad, Jamie Campbell, who, from a young age, liked to dress in girls’ clothes.

The theatre was packed on Monday evening; would everybody be talking about Jamie at the show’s end?

Sixteen-year-old Jamie New (the super talented Ivano Turco) lives on a Sheffield council estate with his mum Margaret (a passionate performance from Rebecca McKinnis).

Single mum Margaret’s best friend is bargain-loving Ray (the amusing, sassy and protective Sejal Keshwala).

The opening scene shows Jamie and his classmates with patient teacher, Miss Hedge (the irrepressible Sam Bailey), discussing their career aspects

A computer’s prediction for Jamie’s future career was as a forklift driver – cue much hilarity all round.

Jamie, with his long blonde hair and legs to die for, stands out a mile from his classmates.

He stands taller still after donning his birthday present from his supportive and loving mother – a gorgeous pair of bright red, patent leather stiletto heels.

Showing them to his best friend, Pritti Pasha (Talia Palamathanan), Jamie confesses that he would love to wear them to the prom, with a dress.

Initially disbelieving, Pritti encourages her chum to wear the shoes in public. He does and it’s this new-found confidence that leads Jamie into a life that couldn’t be further from that of his predicted forklift driver existence.

The scene where he enters the gown shop run by Hugo, aka former drag queen Loco Chanelle (Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton) revelling in the glittery garments, is quite moving.

With Hugo’s encouragement, Jamie, for his drag queen debut, picks out a beautiful red gown once worn by Loco.

Sadly, after finding out revelations about his father (ooh, Akshay St Clair you meany), Jamie’s life threatens to spiral out of control.

He faces ridicule, insults and abandonment while at the same time getting bullied (you know who you are Jordan Ricketts – as Dean) and beaten up just for being his true self.

Despite all this, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a joyful and uplifting experience. The stage setting, looking quite simple at first with grey framed panels, cleverly morphed into numerous settings before our very eyes.

Scene shifters, usually the school kids, seamlessly moved furniture, while in other scenes huge glass cabinets containing sequinned mannequins, dropped from above and flashing lights created drama and atmosphere.

An integral part of the show comes courtesy of an original score by Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae, with music played by talented on-stage musicians. All singing voices were loud and tuneful, but the truly stand-out performance came from McKinnis, as Jamie’s mum, singing He’s My Boy. I still get goosebumps thinking of it.

Laugh-out-loud moments came from three outrageously dressed drag queens – Laika Virgin (Anthony Gyde aka KY Kelly), Sandra Bollock (Daniel Jacob) and Tray Sophisticay (David McNair). All a (glorious) sight for sore eyes.

But the Foottit Oscar on the night must go to Turco, as Jamie. He played the role with the right mix of every emotion to create the perfect tortured teen, while looking fabulous whether in his school uniform or gowns.

Well, at the show’s end, was everybody talking about Jamie? No, we were all too busy cheering, whistling, shouting and applauding to have any energy left for talk. A faultless, magical production.

A Sheffield Theatres Production by Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae from an original idea by Jonathan Butterell.

Running until Saturday, June 22nd, 2024; 7.30pm nightly with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday, 20th and Saturday, 22nd. Tickets cost from £21. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Reviewer: Jackie Foottit

Reviewed: 17th June 2024

North West End UK Rating: