Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Life-affirming, inclusive and diverse, and celebrating every type of friendship.
Norwich Theatre
Although described on the posters as 'The Hit Musical for Today', the true story upon which 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie' actually began with a BBC documentary first screened in July 2011, and which is still available to watch on i-Player. Six years later, the show that it inspired opened at Sheffield Crucible, before transferring to the West End. A film adaptation followed, and finally, in 2022, Jamie made its first visit to Norwich Theatre Royal.
Now, two years on, and they are back! Providing the perfect summer antidote to the General Election, the football, the cost of living crisis and the moaning about the weather, Jamie and the gang return to Norwich Theatre Royal this week, once again sprinkling a little Sheffield sunshine into our lives.
For this opening night it was Flinton Lynn who stepped into the six inch heels normally worn by Ivano Turco as Jamie New, and Lynn totally charmed the socks off us with their amazing performance, totally capturing the spirit and charisma of our hero, and clearly loving every minute of it.
The cast may be a touch lighter on familiar names than the last tour, however it includes Sam Bailey, whom we all remember from X-Factor, and they make an early cheeky reference to it when giving career advice in their role as class teacher, Miss Hedge. Another recognisable face, although not necessarily as we most remember him, is Strictly's star dancer Kevin Clifton, who shines as both gritty Hugo and their glamorous drag alter-ego Loco Chanelle. Rebecca McKinnis pairs up with Sejal Keshwala as Jamie’s single parent Margaret and their close friend Ray, and together they provide Jamie’s reassuring familial support. And it is McKinnis, as Margaret, who delivers a spine-tingling, show-stopping performance of the moving ‘He’s My Boy’ in the middle of Act 2.
Jamie’s classmates are all marvellous, even Jordan Ricketts as the bullying Dean Paxton, and the synchrony in their dance numbers is an absolute delight to watch. As a group, the diversity is a real treat to see on stage, with an absolute classic moment when Talia Palamathanan (as hijab-wearing Pritti Pasha) suddenly, out of nowhere, comes out with the f-word in their frustration at the school’s refusal to allow Jamie into the prom in their dress.
Georgina Hagen’s direction keeps the production as crisp and fresh as an Iceberg lettuce, and the band, playing from their elevated position part-concealed high above the rear of the main set, and under the direction of Danny Belton, provide a spirited contemporary accompaniment to the stage action. And the set itself is most effective, transforming from school classroom to New family kitchen with a clever rotation of a concealed turntable.
Life-affirming, inclusive and diverse, and celebrating every type of friendship, it really comes as no surprise that Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
