Everybody's Talking About Jame

It would take something very special indeed to top WTG’s 2021 production of Kinky Boots – a night I still remember vividly – but with Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, I honestly think they might just have done it. This production was a shining example of what community theatre can achieve when everything clicks: brave, bold, moving, and full of heart.

There’s no doubt about it – this was Ross Bickerdike’s show. Taking on the iconic role of Jamie New, Ross absolutely owned the stage. He acted the role with beautiful honesty, danced with real flair, and most importantly, had that elusive star quality that’s so hard to teach. From the cheeky charm to the raw vulnerability, Ross captured every side of Jamie and delivered a performance that felt entirely authentic.

Kayleigh Donald as Margaret New was equally outstanding. Her rendition of He’s My Boy was one of those rare moments in theatre where time seemed to stop. You could have heard a pin drop, and when she finished, the audience released a collective gasp before erupting into applause. It was one of the most heartfelt performances I’ve seen in a long time. The mother-son dynamic between Kayleigh and Ross was so believable that by the time the heartbreaking second-act argument scene came around, it packed an almighty punch. The sobbing around me was very real — and even I felt like someone had stuck a knife in at one point!

Balancing out the emotion, we were treated to Vanessa Turpin's portayal of Ray, Jamie’s quick-witted, no-nonsense “auntie.” Vanessa’s performance was sheer perfection. Her razor-sharp comic timing, natural warmth and ability to land every gag right on target provided much-needed moments of lightness, without ever slipping into caricature.

The Drag Queens, led by Grant Tebay as Loco Chanelle, provided an absolute riot of colour, sass, and sparkle. Grant was completely at ease in the role, offering a real sense of heart beneath the fabulous exterior. He was brilliantly supported by Alistair Graham (Tray Sophisticay), Jimmy Morgan (Laika Virgin) and the hilarious Mark Clague as (the rather aplty named…!) Sandra Bollock. Mark, was a complete standout – the audience adored him, and rightly so.

Sophie Morgan’s Pritti Pasha was beautifully realised. Sophie’s rendition of It Means Beautiful in Act Two was truly stunning – so controlled, so sincere – and it brought yet another breathtaking moment of stillness to the night. 

The production was directed with real sensitivity and flair by Cassie McCluskey. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has some long dialogue scenes that can easily feel static, but the energy and pacing here never flagged. Every scene felt connected and purposeful. My only small observation (and it’s not a critique, just an encouragement!) is that sometimes less would have been more. A few moments felt a little "placed" — banging tables in anger, for example — when the performances were strong enough to let the dialogue do the heavy lifting. Trust your instincts more, because the raw emotion was already there.

Technically, the production was top-notch. The set was simple but worked perfectly and was lit beautifully by Louisa Morton’s lighting design. I particularly appreciated the use of follow spots (I know I harp on about it, but it really does make a difference!). 

The 8 piece live band, under Jen Daglish’s direction, was another major asset. They sounded great, and it was nice to hear the indiviudal players coming through. There were one or two minor issues with cast microphone clarity and feedback, but overall, it was the cleanest and best-mixed sound I’ve heard from WTG in recent memory.

One of the absolute stars of the night was the choreography. Co-choreographed by Emily Morton and Scarlett Todhunter, the movement was slick, energetic, and genuinely thrilling to watch. I would go so far as to say it’s the best choreography I’ve seen on the amateur circuit – professional in standard, packed with life, and enhancing every moment.

What really struck me though, was the atmosphere in the room. It was a full, diverse audience – and from the very first scene, they were completely on side. Ten years ago, you would never have seen a show like Jamie performed in our area. That speaks volumes for how far both the group and the community have come. In a time where news headlines often show the worst of humanity and times of huge uncertainty on topics not a million miles away Jamie's roots, it was genuinely inspiring to see a production like this, telling an important story, bringing people together, and opening minds.

Congratulations to the entire cast, crew and creative team for a truly memorable night. I left Solway Hall uplifted, moved, and immensely proud to see a local group pushing the boundaries so brilliantly.

Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

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