Everybody’s Talking about Jamie - Teen Edition

This production of Everybody’s Talking about Jamie was first rate!

The maturity shown by this group was outstanding from beginning to end!

The casting was great, everyone playing their characters with skill and enthusiasm. The costumes were authentic, and the sets were good. Scene changing was slick and smooth, cleverly accompanied by the orchestra 

The orchestra under the baton of Matt Holman-Holmes performed well, a very good sound and complemented the variety of voices beautifully. Every word, dialogue and singing, was clear and audible. Great example of orchestra and cast working well together. 

Jamie New was played with sensitivity and understanding. This actor created his own style, moving skilfully across a range of emotions, including anger, humour and disappointment. Good singing voice as well.

Margaret New showed great maturity in her role as Jamie’s mother, really understanding the way a mother relates to her child. Her physical portrayal was spot on as a mature woman, particularly the pulling together of her cardigan when upset or worried Her singing voice was superb, strong and rich and full of feeling, especially   in “He’s my boy “great stuff!

Ray played the part of the loyal and supportive friend (almost family!) brilliantly. The perfect foil for Margaret.

Miss Hedge, a conventional and dedicated teacher, finding it hard to come to terms with Jamies aspirations. Good performance

Hugo/Loco Chanelle played the role with great sensitivity and humour. The drag act was well performed (and dressed), not overdone in any way. An excellent performance

Dean Paxton came over convincingly as the menacing bully. A performance that brought out his own insecurity, the tentative acceptance at the end was pitched at just the right level.

Pritti had a super singing voice and played the part well, showing bravery and conviction in her support for Jamie and strong certainty for her own values. Her friends Bex and Becca got their characters just right!

Jamies Dad played the role well, understated and skilled, especially portraying the bigoted and hard-hearted father not attempting to understand his son at all. A hard role when the characters words and actions are almost certainly an anathema to the actor. Well done.

Ther ensemble are as important as the principals, one cannot do without the other and the whole show demonstrated great teamwork. 

The choreography was good, and it worked well.

Some great singing and the beauty of this that you could hear every word clearly.

Great credit to Jeremy Tustin, Lynn Lee Brown and Kirsty Beaumont for bringing out the very best from this young and talented cast.

This was my first visit to a Castaway Production, and I hope it won’t be the last! It was a night to remember for all the right reasons 

My congratulations to all involved. The audience lapped it up and as you probably can tell, I did too!

Graham Liverton National Vice President and Regional Councillor NODA Southwest 

 

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