You should have been there, you should have seen it? You won't believe the things we saw that went down in there! That is if we are talking about the Mayflower Theatre stage as the utterly sensational Everybody's Talking About Jamie opens 2024 with a bang.
Based on the somewhat true story of a young boy called Jamie New who wants to grow up to be a drag queen, this show has taken the world by storm and the hype just seems to be getting bigger year on year. After a brilliant run in the west end, followed by a UK tour and a film, this show is now back on the road to entertain the masses again, and boy did it bring the house down in Southampton.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie follows the story of Jamie New, a young boy who dares to be a little bit of glitter in the grey. Whilst most at his school are hell bent on either bullying him, or mocking his dreams, Jamie wants to prove them all wrong and show them that he can step out of the darkness and into the spotlight. With a little help along the way from his mum, his unofficial auntie Ray, his best friend Pritti and the legendary drag queen that is Loco Chanelle, Jamie faces his fears to try and become the star he is always supposed to be.
Taking to the role of Jamie is the utterly brilliant Ivano Turco, who dare I say it, might be the best Jamie I have ever seen (and I've seen this show a fair few times!). The innocence in his acting teamed with the fearlessness nature in his drag persona "Mimi Me" is something that is hard to do on stage and he did it with such grace and ease (with some amazing vocal riffs and subtle key changes that just made his rendition nothing short of perfect!). The role of his mentor Hugo "Loco Chanelle" was played by John Partridge who just blew me away and played with such emotion and experience as the washed up drag queen mentor that helps sculpt Jamie into the confident queen he deserves to be.
I loved Rebecca McKinnis as Jamie's Mum Margaret. Having seen her play Evan's mum in Dear Evan Hansen I knew to expect a good performance, but her rendition of He's My Boy just blew me away, and sitting next to my own teenager left me a tad teary eyed! Shobna Gulati is always perfect as Ray. I honestly don't think that you would be able to cast anyone else but her in that role. It was simply made for her to perform. Whilst I thought that Talia Palamathanan was fantastic as Jamie's best friend Pritti. Her performance of It Means Beautiful was touching and innocent and she had a brilliant on stage relationship with Jamie.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie is a show like no other. It's time to step out of the darkness, into the spotlight. Everyone's waiting, Jamie, for you to take the centre stage and wow audience's around the UK. It's a show full of sequins, sparkles, sass, and sincerity all rolled up with a stunning bow. Whilst not for young audiences, it's definitely one to take your teens to. Don't just talk about Jamie, sing, shout, and dance about it too!
On at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton until Sunday 14/1/2024. You can purchase your tickets here: Everybody's Talking About Jamie - Mayflower
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