EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE: CURVE LEICESTER
Since it first hit the stage in 2017, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has won eight major theatre awards and had a record-breaking three-year West End stint. It’s been made into an award-winning film and is on its second sold-out UK tour.
To say this story about a boy in a dress is popular is a bit of an understatement. Particularly if the rapturous response of a Monday night Curve audience in rainy Leicester is anything to go by.
If you haven’t already come across this uplifting feel-good musical, or the BBC documentary that inspired it (check it out it’s worth a watch) you need to know a bit about sixteen-year-old Jamie New. Like a lot of his teenage peers, Jamie is trying to make sense of his future. He’s both excited and terrified in equal measure.
Jamie is gay. A boy who likes to wear a dress. A boy who wants to be a drag queen doesn’t quite fit in. Ivan Turco beautifully captures the essence of Jamie. A teenage mix of bold confidence, vulnerability and resilience. He’s a great performer but it’s in the quieter moments alongside his loving mother, Margaret (Rebecca McKinnis) or his best friend intelligent and ambitious Pritti Pasha (Talia Palamathanan) that Turco’s acting ability shines through.
In many ways, the storyline is somewhat predictable. Jamie overcomes prejudice, and rejection by his disapproving absent father and beats the bullies. Stepping out of the grey humdrum into the spotlight. Supported by his mother, her friend Ray (Sejal Keshwala), Pritti and a colourful bunch of drag queens along the way. Possibly not so predictable.
But that takes nothing away from the strength of the story which unfolds to an original score of catchy songs created by Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae. The live band providing the music adds to the power of the energetic musical numbers. The band on stage is partly obscured by translucent screening that forms part of the set.
Rebecca McKinnis as Margaret and Talia Palamathanan as Ray give empathetic performances as two working-class women who fiercely support Jamie in his choices. McKinnis gives an emotional and moving performance of the song ‘He’s My Boy’ which reinforces her unwavering love of Jamie whatever he says or does.
Some of the funniest and most moving scenes involve Pritti and Jamie. Pritti is a Muslim girl with a Hindu name. Jamie’s flamboyant and loud. She’s studious and supportive. Their strong friendship is based on difference. There’s a lovely poignant scene where Pritti voices questions and concerns about Jamie’s future. But she’s still unwavering in her support. Palamathanan has great comic timing, her quiet presence draws attention on the stage.
Jamie’s challenges are met head-on with the help of Hugo a former drag queen whose alter-ego Loco Chanelle becomes his supportive mentor and helps him to embrace his true self. Hugo/Loco Chanelle is played by the talented Kevin Clifton, former Strictly Come Dancing professional. He has a great voice and a powerful set of lungs and unexpectedly looks great in drag.
Anthony Gyde, Daniel Jacob and David McNair, as outrageous drag queens Laika Virgin, Sandra Bollock and Tray Sophisticay, support Jamie through his first public performance. All three embody the importance of self-expression and unapologetic authenticity. Unafraid to be who they want to be.
The powerful singer Sam Bailey plays Miss Hedge his teacher who represents ‘normal society’ – standing in the way of Jamie’s aim of attending his final school prom in a dress she ultimately relents.
Of course, there is a heartwarming and triumphant conclusion to this coming-of-age story. His friends and former bully come together to show the power of acceptance and love.
The whole company that performs the energetic group song and dance routines are an intrinsic part of the storytelling. The witty lyrics add to the story with references to social media and teenage hormones. The strength of their performances along with the main characters delivers an uplifting tale of the importance of embracing your true identity.
Everybody really should be talking about Jamie. If you want to enjoy a fun-filled emotional rollercoaster of a story get yourself along to see Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. At Curve until 20th July.
