Plymouth Theatre Review

Easy to Follow: 5

Family Friendly: 4

Must see: 5

Title: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth

Date: 03/04/2024

Everybody’s Talking about Jamie is a vibrant and heartwarming musical that follows the journey of teenager Jamie New as he navigates the challenges of self discovery, acceptance and the pursuit of dreams in this modern coming of age drama. This production features a dynamic cast and showcased stellar performances from several key cast members. The performance as a whole was captivating and flamboyant with a charm and charisma that mesmerised and engaged. The group numbers were electrifying and energising, expertly showcasing the unity, diversity and spirit of the characters. The ensemble’s rendition of And You Don’t Even Know it was catchy and infectious, capturing the excitement and anticipation of Jamie’s transformation into his drag persona. The group numbers served as an important narrative function, highlighting key moments of growth, acceptance and solidarity amongst the characters and delivering engaging, dynamic and emotionally charged performances that drove the story forward in a masterful feat of storytelling.

Finton Flynn’s portrayal of Jamie New was fresh and energetic. He truly captivated the essence of this character with an emotive and versatile performance, showcasing his strong vocal skills and commanding the stage with his presence, especially in the second half. Flynn’s performance brought both depth and nuance to the character, balancing confidence and vulnerability in a skilful way that commanded the audiences attention and captivated listeners from start to finish. Likewise, Georgina Hagan’s performance as Miss Hedge was a masterclass in both technical skill and character believability. Vocally her performance was marked by precision, control and versatility as she effortlessly navigated a variety of musical styles. Rhiannon Bacchus was equally impressive with her portrayal of Pritti, demonstrating enviable vocal skills that captivated the audience with her ability to not only deliver outstanding vocals but embody the essence of her character, making her portrayal both enchanting and memorable. Rebecca Mckinnis was nothing short of breathtaking with her portrayal of Margaret New, pulling on the heartstrings of the viewer with her powerhouse performance of the poignant and emotionally charged number He’s My Boy. Pouring her heart and soul into this beautiful song, she expertly infused each note with a profound sense of maternal love and resilience which brought the audience to tears, creating a truly unforgettable moment on the stage.

The set design was fun and detailed, enabling the cast to seamlessly switch between locations with ease. The use of school desks in particular (and the versatility they brought to the performance) was striking. The versatility of the set in general was particularly clever, with set pieces serving several purposes throughout the performance. The cast’s adeptness at transforming these desks into multi-functional props and walkways was particularly ingenious, adding depth and dimension to the set and allowing multiple scenes to be conveyed with minimal changes to the physical environment.  

The clever use of movable set pieces and rotating platforms added a fluidity and pace to the show which kept the audience engaged with both the action and surroundings. The attention to detail in the set design was equally impressive, the use of clothing racks, furniture and projection adding a sense of realism to the show and enhanced the storytelling, allowing for further immersion into the world of the characters.

At its core, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a rich celebration of self expression and self discovery. Tackling important subjects such as identity and acceptance, the cast superbly embraced the themes to produce a wildly energetic, flamboyant and uplifting show that strikes a perfect balance between humour and heart. This must-see musical entertained, uplifted and inspired from start to finish. Encompassing masterful performances from its deeply talented cast this visually stunning production draws you in with its heartfelt message and infectious energy. With its memorable performances and catchy music, it’s no wonder Everybody is talking about Jamie!