Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a lively, heartwarming new musical. Tim Farr reviews it
With Christmas long gone and the end of winter seeming an age away, what better way to lift groups out of the gloom than with a bright, fresh new musical? Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is just that.
Set in Sheffield, the story follows 16-year-old Jamie New as he makes the decision to become a drag queen. The musical flows wonderfully from his classmates at school to his family back home, showing how his choice affects them in different ways.
The story by Tom Macrea may not be the most original with a disgusted, angry dad and homophobic school bully, but the whole show has a modern feel.
The show is directed with punch and zip by Jonathan Butterell and told with fantastic songs by The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie Sells, belting pop tunes one minute to heart-wrenching ballads the next. This, married with laugh-out-loud moments and fun choreography, fills the audience with joy.
John Mccrea and Lucie Shorthouse who play Jamie and his best friend Pritti have a wonderful onstage connection. As does Jamie’s mum and her best friend Ray played by Josie Walker and Mina Anwar.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is brightening lives at the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue until at least 6 October.
