Music and Lyrics: Dan Gillespie Sells
Book: Tom MacRae
Director: Jonathan Butterell
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has thankfully returned to London’s West End – albeit for a limited six-week run. The appropriately titled hit musical is visiting as part of its current national tour and really does feel stronger than ever.
Dan Gillespie Sells’ catchy pop-infused score marries beautifully with a down-to-earth book from Tom MacRae which is endlessly funny and feel-good. Done well, the show is an easy crowd-pleaser – and the current production is absolutely fantastic. The narrative of an aspiring young drag queen is as gritty as it is camp; as heartfelt as it is humorous; and still as relevant as ever.
Much of the production, for any return viewers from the previous London run, remains the same. The highly adaptable square set design remains dynamic and slick, while hip-hop and vogue-inspired contemporary choreography still pulsates through the show. The real changes lie with the current cast and their performances.
In the title role, Ivano Turco has huge heels to fill. Each Jamie before him has made a big impact and left the role with a considerable fanbase, and Turco certainly isn’t letting that trend pass him by. Ivan Turco truly makes the title role his own, starting the show more reserved than his predecessors. This intelligent choice brings new depth and stakes to the coming-of-age tale, as the audience has the opportunity to watch the character grow. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has never been a show about a victim, offering a rare depiction of young queer strength, and starting smaller doesn’t diminish this. Instead, it makes Jamie’s confident choices more impactful, his mum’s encouragement more necessary and the obstacles he faces all the more agonising.
The quality of Turco’s vocal performance never changes, though; opening and closing the show in top form. Through new riffs, of which there are many, he makes every musical number work for him and his execution is impeccable. His biggest rival in this department is, in fact, Rebecca McKinnis as his mum, Margaret. The 11 o’clock ballad He’s My Boy is no easy feat and McKinnis brings the house down with a powerhouse rendition which manages to deliver heart-breaking emotion whilst maintaining a strong belt.
John Partridge offers a more natural, less performative take on Hugo, which strikes a different chord through the character’s intergenerational friendship with Jamie. A deliberately extravagant persona can feel a little self-obsessed, whereas Partridge really holds space for the teenage drag queen. In this way, Hugo feels like a more genuine mentor to Jamie; a slightly wearied ex-performer coming out of retirement to show solidarity, rather than vying to get back onstage themself.
A veteran of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Shobna Gulati returns again to the fan-favourite role of Ray, a part she could undoubtedly nail in her sleep at this point. Yet, there is nothing routine about her performance and seeing her find new ways to play within the role is an absolute delight. In particular, the way she matches Turco’s energy at each step of his journey brings gorgeous new moments to the surface.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has been one of the most successful British musicals of recent years and the current cast is doing a fantastic job of upholding its reputation. Audiences might come for the camp glitz and glamour, but they stay for the genuine laughs and the achingly sweet story of acceptance. See it for the first or the fifth time, but definitely see it!
Runs until 23 March 2024 and continues to tour
The Reviews Hub Score
Impeccable
