Woking New Victoria is home and full house to ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ this week from 15 to 19 March, as it picks up its UK tour featuring Shane Richie as Jamie’s inspirational drag queen,  Layton Williams as the incredible Jamie, and an exceptionally multi-talented, diverse ensemble.

This is a real modern fairy tale on so many levels; from the real Jamie  typing in ‘how to get a documentary made’ into a search engine in 2011, coming from his desire to become a drag queen and go to his school prom in a dress, to his story becoming a musical first performed in Sheffield in 2017 which was immediately snapped up and whisked off to the West End to phenomenal reviews. And justly so. The production and casting are superb, and a success story for all those involved.

The score, vocals and choreography are refreshingly modern, original and vibrant. There is never a dull moment. The set changes are as swift and seamless as the dynamic storytelling and character-building, and lighting is deftly used to add extravagance to the stage and set.

The story’s theme of inclusivity and individual expression may make light of the bullying that accompanies the reality of ‘boys who wear dresses’ and transexual and homophobias, but the performance’s openness and pure joy are a resounding response to such negative values. From Jamie’s first tentative steps on five-inch heels in his mum’s house, to his show-stopping transformation into his drag queen persona, there is no doubt that he is being exactly who he wants to be. But this takes courage.

The full and largely young audience showed their appreciation with an extended standing ovation through the finale and curtain calls on opening night and in the departure rush to the parking pay-meters I got the sense that everyone had left the theatre feeling the love and happiness generated from the performance. The tour is coming back next year and will reopen on the West End. This is definitely one to see.

[Amanda Briggs, March 2022]