Sheffield shows the love for fabulous return of city's hit musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie went to the West End as a youngster and came back to Sheffield as a star.
The musical created at the Crucible in 2017 became a huge hit when it transferred to the West End, where it’s still running, and it has returned to Sheffield even sharper, sassier and more sparkling.
The show has become a phenomenon, with a cinema version filmed here last year.
Sheffield audiences, including me as a reviewer, took the show to their hearts in 2017 and they have done so again, giving it richly-deserved standing ovations.
Layton Williams is amazing as Jamie, a role he has played for a year in the West End. He absolutely becomes the character, a gay 16-year-old growing up in Parson Cross who dreams of being a drag queen and causes controversy when he decides to go to his prom night in a dress.
Layton, who is a great dancer and singer, portrays both Jamie’s sass and his vulnerability in the face of bullying and rejection by his dad.
The real Jamie, his mum Margaret and grandma May were all in the audience at the Lyceum. Jamie, wearing a fantastic frock with a Jamie print on, told me he cried his eyes out, even though he’s seen the show more than 50 times.
That’s because it so beautifully tells his real story, seen in the TV documentary that inspired the show’s creators, and his close, supportive relationship with his mum who told him to go for his dreams.
She is played wonderfully well by Amy Ellen Richardson, showing the heartache she feels for Jamie and his dramas and the unconditional love for her boy. Her tremendous singing voice is able to bring a lump to many a throat.
EastEnders star Shane Richie, another West End cast transfer, is glorious as Jamie’s drag queen mentor Hugo and alter ego Loco Chanelle, bringing depth to the role and a great sashay in a frock!
Shobna Gulati is also wonderful as Margaret’s fierce best friend Ray, backing Jamie all the way using her sharp, witty tongue.
Sharan Phull shows off her own lovely voice as Jamie’s best mate Pritti and the part when she hits back at racist, homophobic school bully Dean - a great performance by George Sampson – had the audience cheering her on.
The supporting cast do a great job and, like Jamie, the whole show is fun, fabulous and feels good. Welcome home.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield until February 29, then goes on national tour.
Sheffield Theatres box office: https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/
Jamie tour website: www.everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk/2020-uk-tour