MY LIFE
REVIEW
CO-EDITORS RACHEL MITCHELL AND CELESTE SPAIN
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE BY CELESTE SPAIN
It all starts with a pair of red heels and ends with a glitz and glam finale bound to sweep you off your feet – but “none of this is fantasy”, as Jamie says to his teacher, “this is just me, Miss.” Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is an incredible musical about not being afraid to be your true authentic self and striving to achieve your dreams. It also reminds us: there will always be those who try to bring you down just for being you but hell no, you are not gonna let them. At the beginning of the musical we see 16 year old Jamie in his classroom, just a boy who sometimes dreams of being a girl living his life. Isn’t that where it starts for us all LGBT or not? You start to dream of what you want to be and little by little you find yourself. For me, the opening scenes of this musical reminded me of being back in school, of course Jamie seems to already know a part of who he is which I’ve barely begun to discover in myself. The journey of discovery continues for Jamie as he rocks
a pair of red heels in school, discovers the art of drag and through some pain and hardship decides to show everyone who he really is. Throughout all this the music is beautiful, with the kind of songs which stick in your mind and make you smile. While also making you realise what wonderful singing voices the actors have, most notably: Layton Williams (Jamie), Sharan Phull (Pritti - Jamie’s bff), Amy Ellen Richardson (Margaret - Jamie’s Mum) and of course Shane Richie (Hugo/ Loco Chanelle - drag queen). Jamie’s best friend Pritti, the on the surface, shy, clever girl comes out of her shell and as Jamie grows in confidence so does she. Eventually even standing up to the bully of the school (and there’s another plot twist there which you’ll pick up on when watching the musical)!
59 • M Y LI FE • MY LIFE
