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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and I’m not surprised! This musical is a pop-tastic extravaganza with a story to warm the heart and bedazzle the soul.

This sassy musical has literally been the talk of the town since 2017.

It wowed audiences during its short run at Sheffield Crucible. Since then, the show has quickly risen to stardom. It’s found a permanent home in the West End, started its first UK Tour and released a movie adaptation.

The musical is inspired by a true story from 2011 documentary “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16”. Jamie Campbell simply wanted to go to his Prom in a dress. This BBC3 documentary caught the attention of a Theatre Director and the rest is, well, herstory.

And so, Jamie New was born.

He is a boy from Sheffield who embraces his desire to be a Drag Queen, against adversity in the form of ignorant teachers, high school bullies and a distant father.

It’s an important story that needs to be told and they do this through a comedic lens. They have packed it full of Northern humour and updated the script with covid jokes, so it feels like home. I know that place and I know those people.

The musical is bursting with sparkle, shimmer and shine. And has a message that everyone can relate to, ‘stop waiting for permission to be you’.

Find out what I thought the first time I saw Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End

I was living for the high energy of this production.

But admittedly there was a short lull in the first half, where the 80-minute running time could have been shaved. Yet I think this is a rare example where the second act is stronger!

The choreography is a fusion of street and voguing – a nod to drag culture. I wanted to boogie so badly. And the projection is key to bringing the world to life. We move from a bleak Sheffield skyline to being rocketed to a wonderous galaxy.

And this galaxy is full of stars.

Layton Williams IS Jamie. You can’t take your eyes off him. He brings all the sass, humour and vulnerability you need to make this character 3D. The rasp in his voice, Mariah Carey rifts and heel-ography make him more than a pop princess but a pop (drag) Queen.

EastEnders legend Shane Richie scrubs up nicely as iconic Loco Chanelle and ex-Corrie resident, Shobna Gulati, stands out as the dead pan, common as muck friend of the family.  

I hated George Sampson, which is perfect, as he played a very convincing bully. The exact type I remember despising from high school.

Sharan Phull is endearing as Jamie’s bestie and her rendition of “It Means Beautiful” is stunning. Amy Ellen Richardson proves an imposing figure with a soulful voice as his mother, blowing the roof off with ‘He’s My Boy’. And the cherry on top really is the electric ensemble.

Shantay, you stay. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a musical that needs to be treasured and shared with people across the globe.

I took my dad and now he wants to go to his first ever drag show! It’s opened his eyes to a whole new fabulous world, one that he may not have agreed with 15 years ago. I’m a very proud daughter.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie the musical is playing at The Lowry until Sunday 12 September 2021.

Find out when it’s coming near you.

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