Review of Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Milton Keynes Theatre

Everybody's Talking About Jamie first appeared back in 2017 as a stage musical with a score written by Dan Gillespie Sells and book and lyrics by Tom MacRae and co-writer/original director Jonathan Butterill. However, the beginning of this story, and the true story that it is, came to the public eye a little earlier with a 2011 British television documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. This tells the story of Jamie Joseph Campbell (also known as Fifi la True) and his coming-of-age journey to the world of drag, and this musical inspiringly tells this tale.

Without hesitation and from the outset there is no question that Everybody's Talking About Jamie is an exceptional show. The key initial reason for this is that it has a stunning collection of songs, and what better requirement for a musical? It sets the benchmark high from the very beginning number and never drops in standard. Dan Gillespie Sells songs from start to finish are pure magic, be that a proud anthem (And You Don't Even Know It), a pure pop one (Work of Art) or a stunning, emotional powerhouse (He's My Boy), for a relatively new musical the collection is incredible. These are complimented with some brilliant lyrics by Tom MacRae and Jonathan Butterill and their genuinely funny and heartwarming book.

With a good show comes the requirement for an excellent cast to deliver it and this new UK Tour has an exceptional one. Jamie New himself is played with genuine love and drive by Ivano Turco. He does at times have such a softness of delivery that he can occasionally be difficult to hear and this does translate to some of the big numbers where he can be overshadowed by the music or fellow singers. However, it does sit well with the character as well and his early development comes through as he builds confidence. No question though, it is an amazing performance holding the show together throughout and commanding the stage.

If it is Turco's drive that gives the show momentum, it is Rebecca McKinnis who gives the show its heart, a tremendous beating heart of emotion. Her performance is incredible and in particular her two solos of If I Met Myself Again and He's My Boy. Anyone with a dry eye after the latter is made of strong stuff.

As Hugo AKA Loco Chanelle, Kevin Clifton is quite a revelation. Quite a departure from his cheeky clean-cut image from Strictly Comes Dancing, his swaggering sweary performance here comes as an initial shock. While you could quibble that he is far too young for the role, he still nails both the character and singing numbers, including a very good performance of the immensely fun The Legend of Loco Chanelle.

The entire cast is top-notch to be fair, with a minxy performance from Talia Palamathanan as "family member" Ray, and a touching performance from Talia Palamathanan as Jamie's closest schoolfriend Pritti. Jordan Ricketts plays the totally unlikeable Dean with total conviction making it a powerful character to its end. Finally of the cast, there is a great understudy turn by Georgina Hagen, on for the absent Sam Bailey, as Miss Hedge, this includes a great performance on the unbearably catchy number Work of Art.

Kate Prince's choreography is visually striking from up-to-date-in-your-face dance routines to sublime contemporary, every number has its own visual style offering great depth to the show. Designer Anna Fleischle has also created a sharp set with swift stylish set changes offering no delay to the show which director Matt Ryan keeps moving with flair.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie is simply a beautiful, captivating show, one of the very best of new musical offerings and deserves all the success it continues to have.

Joyous and uplifting, everybody should be talking about Jamie.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Monday 10th June 2024 at the Milton Keynes Theatre.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 15th June 2024.

For further details about Milton Keynes see their website at http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

Production photos: Matt Crockett

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