Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Teen Edition)

Once in a while there’s a show to rival the professional production, and Brighton Theatre Group’s Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is just such a show. To add that this is actually the Teen Edition makes this all the more incredible.

The musical itself is a recent one: a coming of age saga at its core, but in a different way. All the young people leaving school are considering their careers and Jamie wants to be a Drag Queen. Yet this is set in a small town in Yorkshire where such dreams are ridiculed as not “keeping it real” as their teacher insists. Jamie has been allocated fork lift truck driver: it’s hard to imagine anyone less suited to such a vocation.

The just 16 Jamie New is played with depth and feeling by James Kiley, himself just 16. His story arc throughout the show requires significant emotional depth, which James pulls off with ease. He holds the stage alone so expertly it’s mind blowing to remember he is actually just 16. His energy and presence fills the whole show and holds everything together: he is the innocent Jamie who doesn’t understand the ‘Victor Hugo’ pun; the fearless Jamie taking to the stage for his first drag performance and the humble Jamie not wanting to make a fuss at the school prom, but just wanting to be accepted. He has just the perfect level of vulnerability clashing with the occasional outward flamboyance. His voice is so strong and vibrant and the control over everything including the upper ranges is absolutely amazing. All of the singers in the show are pitch perfect, singing with such emotion and power.

Rosa Farrington’s performance as Jamie’s Mum Margaret is astonishing: so emotionally charged in “He’s My Boy” bringing tears to people’s eyes. She is totally believable as a mum with a not terribly good life experience so far, jaded and tired yet would do anything for her son. There are so many incredible performances it’s hard to single everyone out, but another gorgeous performance comes from Chanel Pritchard as Pritti: she plays the role with such fragility and shyness that her outburst at prom is incredibly satisfying. Her solo of “Beautiful” is really that. Asher Starr as Hugo and Loco Chanelle is fabulous. The difference in his playing of the alter ego is super: contrasted with the more down to earth Hugo with a past and a life he’s not too happy with which is performed with great maturity. Stanley Searl, Elias Prosser and Soli Hougham are the fantabulous trio of drag queens each with their cynical view on life but support of Jamie. Special mention should go to Chris Horlock for the wigs and makeup especially for the drag queens which is superb, as are the costumes. Each of the performances by all the cast are done with full commitment, such maturity that it’s really hard to believe they are not older. Another important note is that the Northern accents are super and never waver throughout the whole show.

Brighton Theatre Group always has stunning choreography by Jodie Michele and this is no exception. The attention to detail and finished lines are a joy to see, as are the shapes especially in “Work of Art” led with ease by Liv Thompson as Miss Hedge. The clapping, body percussion and movements alongside Pritti singing to Jamie are so inventive and fascinating to watch, as well as perfect accompaniment as part of the song. The dancers are so talented: high jumps off desks, ariels, and the two in the contemporary dance alongside Margaret singing “If I Met Myself Again”. The choreography is another in the long list of things that Brighton Theatre Group does so very well.

The music is live, even though the musicians are not on stage but underneath it: which must be tricky to co-ordinate, although no difficulty is ever evident. Carl Greenwood and the orchestra do a wonderful job. The lighting is perfectly suited for each segment of the show, including follow spots where needed, and funnels of coloured light add such flavour to the dance sequences and enhance moods in other emotional scenes. Director Michael Burnie has done a truly wonderful job, where every single person exudes superb energy and gives full heartfelt believable performances including beautiful singing. The actors are clearly having a fabulous time and their enjoyment spreads to everyone in the audience.

At its heart this is a show about following your dreams, standing up for yourself and others and not allowing bullies, ignorance and prejudice to win, and becoming who you are meant to be. Pritti has some of the most quotable lines: “You’re not stupid Jamie, your brain’s just not the right shape for school” is something that so many people can relate to, plus, even in the more permissive Brighton, it’s good for everyone to be reminded “stop waiting for permission to be you”. What a wonderful, joyful and uplifting show to be part of the audience for: a show where each of the performers could easily be substituted for the professional production. If these young triple threats follow their dreams in theatre, the future is going to be magnificent.

 

 

Susanne Crosby

 

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