Inspired by a 2011 BBC documentary, this returning musical tells the story of Jamie, a boy who wanted to go to his school prom in a dress – and the bumps along the way.
The original Sheffield-based production quickly transferred to the West End and is now on its second UK tour, with a movie adaptation along the way.
This is not a perfect show. At just shy of three hours its takes a long time to tell a pretty simple story, and the songs are decent but not massively catchy.
The opening And You Don’t Even Know It has impact – especially X Factor winner Sam Bailey’s rap as careers teacher Miss Hedge – and The Legend of Loco Chanelle is an enjoyable showcase for Kevin Clifton as drag queen turned shopkeeper Hugo. Elsewhere the songs drag a little, with less confident vocals from a young cast.
But despite that the show is an incredibly endearing one. There is a rich seam of earthy humour, particularly from Sejal Keshwala as family friend Ray, and the relationships portrayed are incredibly human: the bond between Margaret (Rebecca McKinnis) and her son, the friendship between Jamie and schoolmate Pritti (Talia Palamathanan).
Most of all though Jamie – played on opening night by understudy Finton Flynn – is an incredibly likeable character, a perfectly pitched mix of brash teenage confidence and innocence. As Hugo puts it: fearless and frightened.
Tom Macrae’s book and lyrics do a lot of the work, but Flynn also brings his own stamp with clear and powerful vocals and an unarguable stage presence. He clearly enjoyed his chance to take the lead, and deserves more of them.
Despite the show’s flaws there is a pervasive and persuasive warmth that makes it very hard not to like the production, or to come out happier than you went in. I’ll sing to that.
- Everyone’s Talking About Jamie continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday, June 29, 2024.
