Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the heartfelt musical about year eleven Jamie New (Ivano Turco) whose ambition is to become a Drag Artist, much against his career teacher Miss Hedge’s (Sam Bailey) advice which is that he should be a forklift driver! Not an advisable career choice in heels that’s for sure.

Bought up by single Mum, Margaret New (Rebecca McKinnis) who tries to do everything she can to protect Jamie from the uglier side of life, especially his Dad’s feelings towards Jamie. He is brutally disowned by his Dad (Akshay St Clair) who is extremely embarrassed by his son being gay and doesn’t want anything to do with him.

The year eleven classes are ready to take their exams and are enduring career lessons. Apart from his best friend Pritti Pasha (Talia Palamathanan) who wants to go to Cambridge to become a Doctor the rest of the class is undecided and doesn’t have any clear decisions on their future careers.

Turco’s performance as Jamie is packed with sass and confidence. Walking in those very high bright red shoes isn’t an easy feat, I have never been able to walk let alone dance in heels. However,  Turco makes it look easy.

There’s an energy and strong rapport from all of the cast members on stage. When McKinnis delivered her solo number talking about her relationship with Jamie a few tears were being shed around me in the auditorium. Take a pack of tissues with you, just in case.

Resident director Georgina Hagen along with head of sound Guy Watson have brought the hit West End musical out on tour to allow regional audiences the pleasure of experiencing this uplifting production. Watching the “buzz” between people as the audience left the theatre endorsed this.

I am sure there are thousands of “Jamie’s” all over the world who can and will relate to this storyline. All it takes is understanding and care to help those who need our support feel that they are accepted to be whoever they choose to be without judgment or ridicule.

If you haven’t seen Everybody’s Talking About Jamie go and catch it while it’s on tour and you will discover what they are talking about and have a great night at the theatre too.

For more information on Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and future productions at King’s Theatre Portsmouth please click on the link below.

Four Stars

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