Music: Dan Gillespie Sells
Book and Lyrics: Tom MacRae
Original Director and Co-Writer: Jonathan Butterell
Director: Matt Ryan
As part of its UK tour, hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamiereturns home to Sheffield playing two almost sold out weeks at the Lyceum Theatre. This musical is beloved by Sheffield audiences, as well as audiences across the nation, so it is no surprise to see a packed out theatre on a weekday evening.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamiestarted life at the Crucible Theatre in 2017, before transferring to the West End. Since then, it has enjoyed an extensive UK tour, including a USA stint, and is now on its second tour. It has also been turned into a major motion picture. Based on the documentaryJamie: Drag Queen at 16, it tells the story of Jamie New who dreams of becoming a drag queen. The show follows Jamie discovering himself, culminating with him attending his school prom in a dress feeling like the most authentic version of himself.
Tom MacRae’s book is heartfelt and witty, and has received minor updates through the show’s various iterations keeping the show feeling as fresh as it did in 2017. Dan Gillespie Sells’ pop score is upbeat and wonderfully fun, with a handful of heartbreaking ballads scattered throughout for good measure.
Directed by Matt Ryan, following Jonathan Butterell’s original direction, the show walks the right line between being camp and feel good and being moving and emotional. Kate Prince’s choreography feels as fresh and unique as it did originally, executed perfectly by an energetic cast. Anna Fleischle’s set design is simple but grounds the show in reality well, with Luke Halls’ video design and Lucy Carter’s lighting design elevating the piece at the right moments, creating music video-like sequences.
This touring company, assembled by casting director Will Burton, is potentially one of the strongest casts the show has had since the original cast, packed full of excellent performances.
Ivano Turco leads the company as Jamie New. His vocals are wonderful, hitting the high notes effortlessly. He brings both sides of the character to life well – the OTT, camp moments as well as the more emotional and angry moments. He brings a fresh innocence and naivety to the role that this reviewer enjoys and hasn’t seen in previous interpretations of the role. Alongside him, playing his mother Margaret New, at this performance was alternate Georgina Hagen. Hagen is perfect in this role. Her vocals are flawless, blowing the roof off with a powerful rendition of He’s My Boy. Her characterisation is completely believable and she has a lovely chemistry with Turco. Hagen also has a great rapport with Sejal Keshwala who returns to the role of Ray after playing her in the West End. Keshwala has good comic timing, whilst always feeling grounded.
Headlining this leg of the tour are Sam Bailey as Careers Teacher Miss Hedge and Kevin Clifton as Hugo/Loco Chanelle. Bailey does an excellent with the material she is given as Miss Hedge. She is perfectly antagonistic and makes Work of Art her own, bringing in the powerhouse vocals she is well known for. Clifton sings the role well, and lands the comic beats well. However he feels a little too young for the role. The costume and hair and make up departments try to age him up, but the paternal relationship that Hugo and Jamie have never quite lands.
Anthony Gyde, Garry Lee and David McNair are the strongest trio of drag queens your reviewer has seen in this show. Their rapport is excellent, but they also individually give strong performances in their own rights. All three deliver strong vocal performances and have impeccable comic timing.
The ensemble of Year 11s are all full of energy and charisma, with swing Takaiyah Bailey giving a particularly hilarious performance as Fatimah. Jessica Daugirda and Joshiah Angelo Omana showcase their strong dance abilities in If I Met Myself Again. Jordan Ricketts’ school bully Dean Paxton is believably cruel, whilst understudy Rhiannon Bacchus is lovely as Pritti Pasha. Bacchus’ vocals are sweet and her on stage rapport with Turco as Jamie is a joy to watch.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamieis certainly in great shape as it returns to its city of origin – get a ticket now before it really is too late!
Runs until 20th April 2024, before continuing on tour
The Reviews Hub Score
Fabulous yet moving
