Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Jamie the musical was created following a BBC TV Documentary filmed in 2011, developed and first brought to the stage at The Crucible Theatre Sheffield in February 2017. Ticket sales started off very hesitantly until word got round how moving this unheard of musical was.  It has since been to the West End, America, and UK tours, made into a film along with many amateur productions. The content of this musical goes to touch so many in very differing ways. It shows how cruel the human race can be when faced with someone who wants to be different, to stand up for what they feel, to fulfill their dream, to show immense courage when faced with adversity but finally come through with their peers eventually acknowledging them.

Be bold…...Be brave ……Be Jamie.

Splinters TG continue to encourage young performers to develop their theatrical skills, being so well established with an array of older members continuing to support not only backstage but also performing some of the older character roles written. This provides a wonderful balance and differential, parents to children, teachers to students, established drag queens to new ones. 

The set worked brilliantly, simple half walled legs, a truly inventive back wall, a revolving kitchen, a visual loo block and school benches doubling and trebling being cleverly moved often by cast assisted by the slick backstage team. Pete Miles along with Jodi Garth had the design and vision for this excellent set. I was heartbroken to hear of Pete’s death but he can rest in the knowledge he bestowed on Jodi, whocompleted the vision, that his experience will never be forgotten and his teaching utilised and shared for years to come.

This production has so much to offer and my compliments go to James and Kate Parkin who once again directed this quality piece of theatre. The level of bitterness, love, emotion, kindness is there in abundance for all to see along with some wonderful singing under the watchful eye of your Musical Director Jane Ledwood. Aggie Gryszel as your choreographer provided excellent direction and guidance to the talented group.

From the moment the Orchestra started playing along with the classroom antics with a teacher trying to discipline and advise her unruly students, we as the audience started out on a very special musical experience. One performer sat centre stage with his back to the audience whilst Miss Hedge attempted to talk to the class finally swivelling round revealing Jamie performed by the talented Ben Rossiter . From his first reaction to the last he maintained the highest standard, totally immersed into the role, controlled singing, acting showing every emotion and performing in so many varied scenes throughout. Stand out moments with his Mother Margaret,friend Ray, Hugo, Dean Paxton and Pritti. Leah Rhodes- Burch as Jamie’s Mother trying to support her son, covering for his Dad providing gifts and cards whilst pretending they were from him. Your scenes with your best friend Ray by Louise Walker showed such a great level of chemistry between you two top quality performers enjoying every moment of the production. I must reference Leah as she sang ‘He’s my Boy ‘what an outstanding song, sung with so much visual emotion, the audience was totally immersed, as was I . I even saw visible tears on your face. Pritti Pasha by Rania Hoez, if this was your first performance you should be so proud, a part requiring discipline kindness a true stiff upper lip whilst dealing with criticism and nasty pointed comments, but showing true character strength throughout along with an emotional performance of ‘It Means Beautiful. ‘I really liked how you spoke to Dean explaining right from wrong with such poise. Miss Hedge by Georgina Hartley-Willows a strong well delivered performance, standing up to your students but showing your true colours and feelings prior to the prom. Hugo by Mark Harris alias Loco Chanelle, a brilliantly performed role with real feeling encouraging and supporting Jamie as he sought to find his real self. Great scenes with your Drag Queens performed by Joe White as Tray Sophisticay, Andy Hibbert as Sandra Bollock and Chris Barker as Laika Virgin. Well done to you all, not easy roles but you made them your own. 

Well done to Summer McGhie, Maeve Hughes, Miquelle Sanchez, Mia Parkin, Polly Wright, Josh Fishburn, Charlie Hopper, Finn Allison and Vinny Gill, the main tormentors and teasers, you all performed your roles well, playing these roles isn’t easy when actually pointing it towards friends, but you remained in character, thankfully becoming more supportive and understanding as the production neared its finale. Olie Walker as Dean Paxton the baddy of the piece, I congratulate you on remaining and delivering such bitterness and venom to Jamie throughout. The Mr I am, wanting to be liked, part of the team but finally showing real humility at the end during your final scene with Jamie. Josh Holiday as Jamie’s Dad apowerful cameo performance, totally unable to accept his son for what he was, so sad but in reality, how some people really are. 

A most impressive ensemble performed to a great standard, not only within the interesting and well-rehearsed dances, clearly enjoying all the invaluable choreography provided along with slick stage re setting in assisting the efficient backstage team The lighting by Tom Dyson gave the stage and scenes totally conviction, I really enjoyed the clever set lighting around frames and openings. The sound by Paul Minott was well balanced allowing song and word to be heard in line with the excellent orchestra. Costumes were stylishthroughout. 

Not only was the finale a fitting end to an outstanding production and cleverly adding in some sign language at the point ‘ In The Place Where We Belong’

I genuinely felt moved by the whole production, you should all, on and off stage, be so proud of the results and standardachieved.

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