Review of Everyone’s Talking About Jamie at Norwich Theatre Royal: Lively, life-affirming musical is rightly joining ranks of the greats
Everyone’s Talking About Jamie - Theatre Royal, Norwich
This is a lively, life-affirming musical that is joining the ranks of the greats - and quite rightly so.
It tackles so-called modern dilemmas, which are not, of course, that new. The idea of being different, embracing unfairness, the value of real friendship, and the importance of being true to yourself.
We meet the rather glam Jamie, played last night by Finton Flynn, who just wants to be a ‘boy in a dress’. At 16, the Sheffield schoolboy can’t quite tell his career teacher, played by the X-Factor’s Sam Bailey, that he wants to be a drag queen. She has him earmarked as a forklift driver.
We follow his journey, which is packed with great dance routines, catchy tunes, and plenty of angst - and laughs. There’s the embarrassed dad, the super supportive mum, beautifully played by Rebecca McKinnis, and the best mate, Pritti, played by Talia Palamathanan.
Strictly’s Kevin Clifton pops up as Jamie’s mentor and former drag queen Loco Chanelle, rocking a full length sequin number worthy of the hit TV dance show.
Jamie’s aim is to attend his school prom in a dress which is seemingly against school rules. Does he succeed? How does his peer group react? Well, there is, fortunately, a happy ending, with Jamie showing, despite plenty of upsets along the way, that standing up for what you believe and want always wins!
The show continues until Saturday. Visit www.norwichtheatre.org
Review by Sarah Hardy
