Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Shooting Stars Youth Theatre Company,

“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”

 Book & Lyrics by Tom Macrae, 

Music by Dan Gillespie Sells,

From an idea by Jonathan Butterell.

Directed by: Jacqui Farthing & Amy Neal.

Musical Director: Sue Juggins.

Staged at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall.

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative

on Friday, 4th July, 2025

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question. The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed. It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed. Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

This stage musical centres around a Coming-of-Age story, and was inspired by the 2011 British Television documentary “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16”. It follows the true life story of 16 year-old schoolboy Jamie Campbell, as he overcomes prejudice and bullying to step out of the darkness and become a drag queen. It has become a classic choice for many youth groups which respond to the themes found within the script. It is a major production for any group to present with many varied songs, dance routines and messages to convey to their audiences. I’m glad to report that the performance I saw achieved their goals very well.

 

This group started with plenty of back-up help outside of the cast. Firstly there was a very talented group of musicians who were very familiar with the score and were kept under smooth control by their leader Sue, who was very attentive to the pace of the cast. She allowed the cast to take the lead. The Town Hall has well-known sound black spots which were avoided by ensuring that all the cast were wired for sound. The balance of which was very good during the whole of the show. They were professionally lit on stage by a team that knew their strengths and produced a good lighting performance. The whole width of the hall was well illuminated including floor level entrances as well as the rear and top of the stage levels. Follow spots were used well and with discretion.

 

The show opened on the set with school pupils busy filling the space. Here again we see what thought was put into the layout and appearance of the set. The whole area was papered in brick design with chrome support rails. Centre stairs led to two upper areas used later as rooms. Below the stage left area converted to Jamie’s home. The use of small wooden blocks acted very successfully for school seats and desks. Later front doors and even a school toilet cubicle were pushed on and off. The handling of all the scenes and props was faultless and well rehearsed. Congratulations to all those silent stage workers making the show seamless!

 

There is a problem with a show, such as this, which focuses on one main character. If that character is weak then the whole show suffers. And no matter how good the lead may be if the rest of the cast does not match up then the show suffers. This did not happen on the night I was present. The standard was very high. I apologise if I do not mention everyone in this report – I believe there were nearly forty members of the cast ensemble! I really did try to look at every member at some time during the show! Firstly I was so pleased to see the amount of real “acting” done by those cast members in the back ground on main scenes. You were doing your own thing immersed in your own world and not allowing the leads to distract you. That for me is very important in making the story flow. Real acting – very well done. Those who sing and danced worked as hard as any of the leads – and were so enjoying themselves! You were trained to make the most of the stage space and so you did. Spreading yourselves around all levels of the set. So many of you had your own fan clubs in the audience!

 

Favourite musical moments for me:-

Hugo, Drag Queens & ensemble – The Legend of Loco Chanelle.

Margaret – He’s My Boy / If I Met Myself Again.

Pritti -  It Means Beautiful.

Jamie – The Wall In My Head.

 

Favourite Cast Members:-

Hugo – Worldly performance,  underplayed slightly which worked for me.

Margaret – Thoughtful, truthful & mature performance. Congratulations.

Pritti – Such a good foil for Jamie with a beautiful singing voice. Well done.

Jamie – Well done George! You may never get to play such a role again but you did get to make this role your own. You made the character very real. 

 Be grateful to the cast for helping to make you look so good. Congratulations.

     

 

Here was a very well produced, secure production, beautifully costumed and presented. Yes, some voices were better than others but that’s life. Yes, some actors were better than others but everyone appeared to enjoy what they were achieving. Here was a united cast working hard for their own fun and the affection of their individual fan bases. 

Thank You Shooting Stars for your invitation to report on this production. 

 

Kind regards, 

Bob Allen.

NODA SW. District 14 Representative.

 

N.B. These comments solely reflect the view of the representative and can only relate to the performance seen. 

 

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