Search
Close this search box.
We use cookies to deliver the best experience on our website. By using our website, you agree to use of cookies.  Learn more.

Review: Why Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Hull New Theatre

CATEGORIES
TAGS

Share:

What an exciting night I experienced last night at Hull New Theatre. I joined a very full auditorium to see the touring production of Everyone’s Talking About Jamie or “ETAJ” in the musical theatre appreciation forums. I’d seen the film version earlier this year but always prefer a stage version and what a brilliant performance it was.

The story is of Jamie New (Layton Williams), a 16-year-old lad from Sheffield who enjoys dressing in women’s clothes and has a secret desire to be a drag queen. He ‘came out’ to his mum, Margaret (Amy Ellen Richardson) when he was 14, but like most mums, she already knew. Jamie’s mum supports him with his lifestyle and is his rock. Margaret is separated from Jamie’s father and it emerges that he found Jamie in his mum’s clothes when he was 8, and his cruel words dented Jamie’s confidence from that day. Jamie longs for his dad’s approval and this comes across strongly.

For his 16th birthday, mum buys Jamie a fabulous pair of patent shiny red stilettos. I was so envious of the way Williams was able to strut the stage in, what must be, six-inch heels. Of course, Jamie loves them. He shows them to his school friend, Pritti Pasha (Sharan Phull) and they have a very deep and emotional conversation about Jamie’s desire to go to prom in drag, and why Pritti wears a hijab.

Phull has a beautiful voice and played Jamie’s BFF superbly. She supportives Jamie and says they are both different as she wears a hijab and no make up – unlike all the girls at school – and Jamie is gay and loves to wear women’s clothes. It’s a beautiful friendship.

Jamie is also supported by mum’s best friend Ray (Shobna Gulati). She is very down to earth and the conversations between Ray and Jamie, and Ray and Margaret, are hilarious; they had the audience in stitches. There’s lots of swearing and sexual innuendo between Ray and Margaret as two single women looking (or not) for a boyfriend.

Jamie goes to a dress shop run by former drag queen Hugo (Bianca Del Rio). Hugo’s drag persona was Loco Chanelle, the most famous drag queen ever, or so he tells Jamie. He encourages Jamie with choosing a dress and also making his debut appearance as a drag queen at Legs 11, a local venue where the local drag queens perform. It is wonderful to see the ‘old’ queen support a debuting queen.

This is not just a story of a boy who wears a dress, it’s about relationships, puberty, the uncertainty of being a teen, gaining confidence all wrapped up in some great songs. From the catchy “Everyone’s talking about Jamie” by the classmates, to the beautiful songs by Margaret “He’s my boy” and “if I met myself again”.

The story can be sad in parts, but the laughter and great humour in the story counterbalance beautifully. It’s a production that leaves you in high spirits which was much appreciated by the audience who gave a massive standing ovation before they left to face new Covid restrictions.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is running at Hull New Theatre until Saturday 4 December. Grab a ticket (if you can) here: hulltheatres.co.uk.

Hull news, events & special offers

Our weekly digest rounds up the best things happening around Hull & East Yorkshire.

Featured

Got something to share?

We want to share everything positive that’s going on around Hull. We have loads of great ways to share your stuff:
Click the button above or email us at events@hullwhatson.com
*Registration required
Featured Hull Events
Unmissable offers!
Places you should visit

Hull news, events & offers by email

Stay up to date on everything good happening locally!