Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Teen Edition
Date: 17th April 2024
Society: Chelmsford Young Generation Amateur Musical Society
Venue: Chelmsford Theatre
Type: Musical
Director: Jimmy Hooper
Musical Director: Bryan Cass
Author: Victoria Carey
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a popular musical with a huge following so I was very surprised to hear that Young Gen have struggled with ticket sales for this production. And having now seen the show I must say what a huge shame that is because it was simply outstanding.
This musical tackles some delicate issues…prejudice, racism, homophobia and bullying to name a few – topics that many adult societies would find a challenge to portray. However, these young performers handled these sensitive subjects with an understanding beyond their years.
The show opens with the number “You Don’t Even Know it” and within just a few bars I could feel the excitement in the audience. It was clear we were all in for a real treat.
I wish I could mention every one of the talented performers on stage. Without exception this talented cast gave their all and had so much energy. You should all be very proud of yourselves. But of course I must start with our title role, Jamie, played by the fearless Elliott Greaves. After a slightly shaky start Elliott really came into his own and did huge justice to such a challenging part. His accent was superb and was maintained without falter both in his dialogue and vocals. Elliot gave the audience everything you would expect from in Jamie…comedy, sass, fierceness, self doubt, vulnerability, kindness, hurt, anger and that little bit of magic that only some performers are gifted with and cannot be taught. A huge well done to Elliott for rising to such a challenge and nailing it!
Another stand out performance came from Bethany Irvine as Jamie’s Mum Margaret. I actually forgot at times that Bethany is a youth performer as her acting was of such a high standard, far beyond what you would perhaps expect from someone her age. With a natural warmth and excellent delivery in her dialogue she gave an extremely mature portrayal of Jamie’s loving, supportive Mum. There was a touching moment during her well sung “If I Met Myself Again” when her younger self, having danced beautifully takes her coat then hands her the iron, depicting the reality of the life she has now. Olivia Surgett as Ray, Margaret’s best friend, gave us well time comedy throughout and despite an unfortunate fall due to a broken chair leg carried on without taking a beat. What a pro!
Phoebe Hooper was a delight as Jamie’s best friend Pritti. She had some lovely moments, a very believable actress and I always felt completely at ease during her scenes. I loved her rendition of “It Means Beautiful” and she really delivered in the prom scene, standing up to the bullying Dean Paxton, very well played by Joe Papalie.
Completing the principal line up was Daisy Middleton as the mean Miss Hedge (complete with killer vocals) determined for her students to “keep it real” and Hayden Wagland who gave a confident performance as Drag Queen Loco Chanelle who takes Jamie under his wing and Arran Mukherjee as Jamie’s Dad, disappointed that his son isn’t a “real boy”. All very well done.
Mentions must also go to the three Drag Queens Sandra Bollock (Oliver Blowers), Laika Virgin (Finley Adams) and Tray Sophisticay (Hugo Kalair). I couldn’t walk in those heels and you all mastered them! You all looked fabulous in full drag.
The other star of the show was the stunning set. Cleverly designed and built by members of the company with lightboxes that changed colour to match the scene changes, multi functional school desks that could be turned to then create brick walls and a superb kitchen that opened and closed on a raised floor with huge attention to detail in the props. The band were raised, above the lightboxes in full view of the audience and this really added to visual impact giving a real “West End” feel to things. Loco Chanelle’s shop was also well done with the mannequins being flown in rather than just wheeled on and off. The set and lighting is pivotal to this show and no attention to detail had been missed.
Choreography was modern and slick and I didn’t see a movement out of time from anyone on stage. The sound was well balanced and the band superb led by Musical Director Bryan Cass.
Finally, a huge congratulations to Director and Choreographer Jimmy Hooper for bringing this wonderful musical to life with such vision, care and enthusiasm. I can only begin to imagine how proud you must be of everyone involved. Young Gen have a dedicated production team at the helm and the hard work put in by everyone is clearly evident.
The only thing missing from this show was a full house.
Thank you so much for a wonderful evening’s entertainment. My guests and I certainly left talking about Jamie.
Victoria Carey
NODA East District 8 Rep
“NODA owns the intellectual Property Rights to the content of all show reports written by NODA Councillors, Reps and Assistant Reps.”
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Teen Edition
Date: 17th April 2024
Society: Chelmsford Young Generation Amateur Musical Society
Venue: Chelmsford Theatre
Type: Musical
Director: Jimmy Hooper
Musical Director: Bryan Cass
Author: Victoria Carey
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a popular musical with a huge following so I was very surprised to hear that Young Gen have struggled with ticket sales for this production. And having now seen the show I must say what a huge shame that is because it was simply outstanding.
This musical tackles some delicate issues…prejudice, racism, homophobia and bullying to name a few – topics that many adult societies would find a challenge to portray. However, these young performers handled these sensitive subjects with an understanding beyond their years.
The show opens with the number “You Don’t Even Know it” and within just a few bars I could feel the excitement in the audience. It was clear we were all in for a real treat.
I wish I could mention every one of the talented performers on stage. Without exception this talented cast gave their all and had so much energy. You should all be very proud of yourselves. But of course I must start with our title role, Jamie, played by the fearless Elliott Greaves. After a slightly shaky start Elliott really came into his own and did huge justice to such a challenging part. His accent was superb and was maintained without falter both in his dialogue and vocals. Elliot gave the audience everything you would expect from in Jamie…comedy, sass, fierceness, self doubt, vulnerability, kindness, hurt, anger and that little bit of magic that only some performers are gifted with and cannot be taught. A huge well done to Elliott for rising to such a challenge and nailing it!
Another stand out performance came from Bethany Irvine as Jamie’s Mum Margaret. I actually forgot at times that Bethany is a youth performer as her acting was of such a high standard, far beyond what you would perhaps expect from someone her age. With a natural warmth and excellent delivery in her dialogue she gave an extremely mature portrayal of Jamie’s loving, supportive Mum. There was a touching moment during her well sung “If I Met Myself Again” when her younger self, having danced beautifully takes her coat then hands her the iron, depicting the reality of the life she has now. Olivia Surgett as Ray, Margaret’s best friend, gave us well time comedy throughout and despite an unfortunate fall due to a broken chair leg carried on without taking a beat. What a pro!
Phoebe Hooper was a delight as Jamie’s best friend Pritti. She had some lovely moments, a very believable actress and I always felt completely at ease during her scenes. I loved her rendition of “It Means Beautiful” and she really delivered in the prom scene, standing up to the bullying Dean Paxton, very well played by Joe Papalie.
Completing the principal line up was Daisy Middleton as the mean Miss Hedge (complete with killer vocals) determined for her students to “keep it real” and Hayden Wagland who gave a confident performance as Drag Queen Loco Chanelle who takes Jamie under his wing and Arran Mukherjee as Jamie’s Dad, disappointed that his son isn’t a “real boy”. All very well done.
Mentions must also go to the three Drag Queens Sandra Bollock (Oliver Blowers), Laika Virgin (Finley Adams) and Tray Sophisticay (Hugo Kalair). I couldn’t walk in those heels and you all mastered them! You all looked fabulous in full drag.
The other star of the show was the stunning set. Cleverly designed and built by members of the company with lightboxes that changed colour to match the scene changes, multi functional school desks that could be turned to then create brick walls and a superb kitchen that opened and closed on a raised floor with huge attention to detail in the props. The band were raised, above the lightboxes in full view of the audience and this really added to visual impact giving a real “West End” feel to things. Loco Chanelle’s shop was also well done with the mannequins being flown in rather than just wheeled on and off. The set and lighting is pivotal to this show and no attention to detail had been missed.
Choreography was modern and slick and I didn’t see a movement out of time from anyone on stage. The sound was well balanced and the band superb led by Musical Director Bryan Cass.
Finally, a huge congratulations to Director and Choreographer Jimmy Hooper for bringing this wonderful musical to life with such vision, care and enthusiasm. I can only begin to imagine how proud you must be of everyone involved. Young Gen have a dedicated production team at the helm and the hard work put in by everyone is clearly evident.
The only thing missing from this show was a full house.
Thank you so much for a wonderful evening’s entertainment. My guests and I certainly left talking about Jamie.
Victoria Carey
NODA East District 8 Rep
“NODA owns the intellectual Property Rights to the content of all show reports written by NODA Councillors, Reps and Assistant Reps.”
