Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie ... a musical performed by SONG, at The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday, 10th April, 2025

Jamie New is a sixteen old who lives on a council estate in Sheffield.  Jamie doesn’t quite fit in... he’s terrified about the future... but he’s going to be a sensation! Supported by his brilliant and loving mother and surrounded by his friends, he overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the ‘spotlight’. This  musical centres itself around a true life coming-of-age story… inspired by a 2011 British TV documentary ‘Jamie’: Drag Queen at 16. From a book and lyrics by Tom Macrae and Music by Dan Gillespie Sells… this musical tells the true-life story of 16-year-old Jamie Campbell and his journey to becoming a Drag Queen!

The Production Team ... Steve Chesters (Director), Joe Martin (Musical Director) and James Shaw (Choreographer), were ‘three newbies’ to the SONG family, who’d been chosen to bring this musical to stage and what an impression they made!  In early March, I had the privilege and pleasure to be invited to a Sunday rehearsal ... the production looked great then and it was very obvious, that our three newies knew what they wanted and how to achieve it!  The identified problems from that rehearsal had been dealt with, the attention to detail was there for all to see and with a talented and enthusiastic cast at their disposal... the results were something very special. Before moving on, can I just mention James Shaw’s choreography ... the opening number ‘And You Don’t Even Know It’ was sharp, beautifully synchronised and set the tone for the entire show as was the opening to Act 2 ... ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ ... another fast, cleverly devised routine that played to the strengths of all concerned. Those levels, in all the routines, never dropped ... be very proud James, be very proud everyone!     

The Cast ... we had a cast of twenty-nine all of who, from the moment those curtains fully parted, looked up for the challenge that lay ahead.  It was clear, after just a few bars of ‘You Don’t Even Know it’ ... that we were in for a real treat!   The energy, the excitement, both on and off stage, was tangible! I could mention so many from this cast, but I need to ask one question, a question I posed at the ‘after show meet with the cast’... ‘What makes a good show great?’ ... “they say” ... ‘The Chorus’ and that was so true that evening!  We had fabulous ‘principals’ and I’ll expand those later, but from the opening scene/number to the final bows the ‘chorus’ just gave us their all and it all happened so naturally! They supported their ‘principals’ ever so well even when singing/harmonising from the wings...  Holly Partington - ‘Bex’; Fleur Grace Wigmore - ‘Becca’; Abbie Davies - ‘Fatimah’; Issac Holton - ‘Levi’; Charlie Geldart - ‘Cy’; Mimi Moran - ‘Vicki’; Max Hayes-Nolan - ‘Mickey’; Dani Capie-Witterick - ‘Daniella’; Kate Hitchmough - ‘Scarlett’; Ofelia Crompton - ‘Cleo’; Annie Heaton - ‘Gabrielle’; Grace Curry - ‘Selena’; Emily MacKay - ‘Michelle’; Claudia Currie - ‘Siobhan’; Serafina Campolucci-Bordi - ‘Sharelle’; Ellis Hayton – ‘Dean Paxton’; Amelia Rose Smith - ‘Chardonnay’; Emma Westby - ‘Claudette’; Alfie Jackson – ‘Wayne New’ (Jamie’s father); Dylan Bayliff – ‘Headteacher & Sayid’; let’s not forget our ‘Three Drag Queens’ ... Darren Musa – ‘Laika Virgin’, Noah Vogel – ‘Sandra Bollock’, Leo Rawsthorne – ‘Tray Sophisticay’... their enthusiasm, effort, energy, their smiles, their togetherness, was infectious and enhanced this production ever so much, be very proud each and all!  Principals... we had an outstanding set of ‘principals’ ... all of whom created amazing characters, they included Kyle Rigby who played ‘Jamie New’, Zara Olivia Newton who took on role of ‘Margaret New’, Millie Johnson who played ‘Ray’; Kai-enna Mook who played ‘Miss Hedge’; Grace Cunningham who played ‘Pritti Pasha’ and Jack Smith who played ‘Hugo / Loco Chanelle’. ‘Never one to sit on the fence’ and as previously stated ‘I could write so much about so many’ and I think I have, but let me start by identifying MY Showstealer, which was a major decision between two... Kyle Rigby our lead ‘Jamie New’ and Zara Olivia Newton as Jamies mum ‘Margaret’ ... in the end I plumped for Zara, but it could so easily have been Kyle!  So, why Zara ... well, it’s never easy creating / playing an ‘adult character’ in the midst of a youth cast, where everyone is the same peer age group ... to ‘stand out’ in this situation, you really do need to do something ‘special’ and this was ‘special’!  Honestly, I didn’t recognise Zara when she first stepped on stage... her whole character, her facial characteristics had changed, the subtleties and nuance of the character was so convincing. Confident, assured, composed throughout ... the song about her younger self... ‘If I Met Myself Again’ was stunning and heartfelt... topped only by her rendition of ‘He’s My Boy’ which brought the house down and tears to so many eyes around me including mine!  Honestly this was ‘up there’ with as good as it gets!  But Kyle was just as amazing, never off stage, confident, assured and to walk, let along dance in those high heels, takes courage and confidence! Two wonderful performances that will be long remembered by many including me!  Next, Milly Johnson’s portrayal of ‘Ray’... Margaret’s best friend and second mum to Jamie. Loved the Yorkshire accent, the chemistry/empathy between the three was tangible, the support meaningful and so many heart string pulling moments. I’m cheating just a little.... BUT I just loved the three ‘Drag Queens’ ... Darren Musa – ‘Laika Virgin’, Noah Vogel – ‘Sandra Bollock’, Leo Rawsthorne – ‘Tray Sophisticay’ ... so far out of their comfort zone I would suggest, but what a great job they did along with Jack Smith who played Hugo / Loco Chanelle. Kia-enna Mook did an outstanding job with tough, unrelenting teacher ‘Miss Hedge’. Grace Cunningham just knocked ‘Pritti Pasha’ out the park, loved her rendition of ‘It Means Beautiful’ and the ‘rant’ was super impressive!  Just to reaffirm what I said at rehearsal and post-show ... I really ‘don’t like’ that ‘nasty pasty’... ‘Dean Paxton’ played ever so well by Ellis Hayton. Ellis made this part believable, be ever so proud Ellis!  

Staging/Set/Tech ... the set was simple yet effective offering the access and redress points needed to allow the production to flow. The main feature was staging that covered more or less the entire width of the stage, depicting a school building with pink and blue illuminated windows that allowed you to see partially through them. The band, set on the upper level, could been seen silhouetted through the upper windows.  Loved the ‘toilet set’, would have liked a little more thought to the truck that housed the New’s Kitchen and the ‘single/free standing door’ to Jamie’s fathers’ home, but that’s me being slightly ‘picky’! Having said that, nothing detracted from the overall enjoyment of this production.  Looking after all things ‘back stage’ we had the ever so versatile Jacqui Lewis (Stage Manager)/Jim Donnelly (Senior Technician/The Atkinson) and their crew made-up of supporters of SONG. Sound... Matt Hughes (Sound Design) ... overall, the sound was impressive, but there were a couple of occasions, when the chorus... singing /harmonising from the wings slightly overpowered the principal singers on stage ... the singing/harmonies were fabulous, but I really did miss the vocals from the stage. Lighting ... Max Houghton (The Atkinson) created/operated the lighting Plot and Design which worked ever so well and we had some fabulous projected images, created by Moonlight Events and the Atkinson Staff.

Orchestra... Joe Martin (MD) did a great job with this beautiful score, encouraging the cast to fulfil their potential, which helped produce some amazing solos and some outstanding harmonies from his young cast!  His charges (partially hidden on the upper level) was Sarah Dutch (Woodwind); Caitlin Monoghan (Percussion), Adam Dutch (Bass), Mike Ciaputa (Guitar), Cliff Ray (Trumpet); Austin Ralphson (Trombone) and Paul Dutch (Drums) and Joe himself on Keys... great job folks!

Costumes and Props ... there were some fabulous costumes on show, which again added so much and enhanced the overall production... under the watchful eyes of Karen Fairclough.  Props were appropriate and used well ... looked after by Linda Davies and Bev Newton

Chaperones... there are so many people who help put a show on stage … but whenever we have ‘young people’ on stage or a full ‘Youth Production’ as this, it’s essential that we have the services of dedicated chaperones!  Without these amazing volunteers who help provide the ‘safe and secure environment’ needed to allow these young people to thrive, flourish and perform, shows like this could not happen – (this production) those dedicated volunteers included Guy Wigmore (Safeguarding Officer), Linda Davies, Bev Newton, Lynne Wigmore, Katherine Smith, Sarah Boyak, Ste Vogel, Hayley Moran, Samantha Davies and Hilary Thompson.

Honestly… as, most will already know, I just ‘love’ watching young people do their thing!  We are blessed, here in District 6, with so many amazingly talented young people, who perform in some amazing productions, as this one was! Thanks to those who go above and beyond to ensure, encourage this to happen, you know who you are, your service to these young people is noted with pride… thank you for what you do!  In closing, can I take this opportunity to thank SONG for their hospitality throughout, for allowing me to attend your rehearsal and for allowing me to speak with the cast post show... as always.... it’s all truly appreciated! 

Stay safe, Keep well
“Stronger Together”

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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