Theatre Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at MK Theatre
In Summary
Genre: Coming of Age Musical
Running Dates: 19-23 April
Where to see it: MK Theatre (UK Tour)
Duration: 2 hr 30 (inc. 20 minute intermission)
Keywords: musical, LGBTQ+, modern and up-to-date
Content Warnings: strong language
The Review:
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the hit musical about one Sheffield lad’s dream of becoming a drag queen, has arrived in Milton Keynes to standing ovations and it’s not hard to see why. Featuring all the glittery heels, fabulous dresses, and drama a drag queen could ever want, this show is fearlessly proud to be a classic coming-of-age teen story with an LGBTQ+ twist.
This was my first time seeing the show and I found it utterly delightful! Jamie New, played by Layton Williams, is a flamboyant teen growing up in Sheffield. And while everyone knows he’s gay, nobody knows his big dream is to be a drag queen. Luckily for Jamie, his mom Margaret New (Amy Ellen Richardson) is incredibly supportive of who he is and will do anything to help him achieve his dreams. He also finds a mentor in retired drag queen legend Hugo Battersby/Loco Chanelle (Shane Richie), who helps Jamie find both the perfect dress for his debut as a queen and the courage to stand up to his school bully.
A show about teens figuring themselves out while the adults surrounding them are both supportive and invalidating, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny, boldly modern, and sadly bittersweet. That most of his classmates unquestioningly embrace Jamie’s fabulousness proves how far society has come in accepting the LGBTQ+ community and brings the biggest smile to your face. But scenes where his father (Cameron Johnson) rejects Jamie, or his careers teacher (Lara Denning) tell him to “get real” break your heart for every kid who’s been told their authentic self isn’t good or right or acceptable.
The stand-out song of the show is definitely when Margaret sings “My Boy” about loving Jamie no matter what. Richardson’s vocals are incredible and the song is so piercing and poignant I don’t think there was a dry eye in the theatre by the end. Williams brings the perfect amount of sass to Jamie that I found myself giggling at almost every line, and Richie’s portrayal of Hugo/Loco Chanelle was inspired!
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the musical I wish I had as a teen, and I am thrilled to see it receiving such critical acclaim and popularity now. While the show of course confronts LGBTQ+ issues head on, it is such a refreshing, joyful take on celebrating non-traditional identities that I think people of all ages and creeds could love it and learn something from it. It truly is a brave and beautiful “Work of Art”.
The Round up:
See if: You love stories of teens finding the strength to be themselves, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Sheffield accents.
Similar to: Hairspray, Rent
Review by Jessica Nelson
Disclaimer: We were gifted these tickets in exchange for a review