Winchester News Online
REVIEW: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Mayflower Theatre

Tonight, Southampton was only talking about one thing… Jamie!
‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ is on Mayflower Theatres stage once again and what a way to start off the new year. The hit musical by ‘Dan Gillespie Sells’ (Music) and ‘Tom Macrae’ (Book & Lyrics) is back and better than ever. This musical has become a modern-day instant classic of theatre and is well deserved of its place with such prestigious company. Having won the awards ‘Jamie’ has won (‘Jamie’ is what I’m going to refer to the musical as from now on), and having a major motion picture adaptation of the musical – it could have been very easy for the show to forget its way and its powerful meaning. I’m very happy to say that this is just not the case.
One thing I love is a biopic story told via a musical. If that’s something you love too and you haven’t seen ‘Jamie’ yet, I think I may have the next musical for you. Based on the Firecracker documentary film, ‘Jamie: Drag Queen at 16’’, this true story follows Jamie New, a teenage boy from Sheffield coming to the end of his school life and thinking about what he wants to do after school. Or more importantly what he wants to be. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in, but with the support from his mum and friends he overcomes prejudice and steps out of the darkness and into the spotlight. His story is funny, powerful and touching. It’s just as important now as it was when it actually happened. Director, Matt Ryan, has done incredibly well to portray that level of importance throughout the show. Through song, dance, movement, and placement. Every little detail has been noticed and watching it unfold was seamless. Having such an important topic and giving it a feel good vibe can’t have been easy but the whole company has made it work.
Everything about his performance was outstanding.
The casting for this tour is phenomenal. Each and every member of the cast brought the energy and guided us through the story perfectly. We were tapping our feet at the highs, and you could hear a pin drop in the lows. Command over a packed theatre like that? Now that’s talent! The whole cast was brilliant but I can’t not talk about a few standout performances. The role of ‘Jamie New’ was played by Ivano Turco and I have no other word than WOW! His stage presence was incredible. The dancing, incredible. His comedic timing and delivery, yep you guessed it, incredible. Everything about his performance was outstanding, and to bring a voice like his into this role was perfection. The vocal choices that he made were spot on, he truly made the role his own and it was so refreshing. As ‘Jamie New’ himself would say, “Ivano you were FABulous!”. Returning to play Jamie’s Mum, ‘Margaret New’, was the highly talented Rebecca McKinnis. This is actually the second time I’ve seen McKinnis after seeing her as ‘Heidi Hansen’ in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, as she was just as amazing then as she was tonight. Her relationship on stage with Ivano and the hilariously funny Shobna Gulati (playing the role of ‘Rey’) was so natural it felt like we were just watching their life unfold. Not to mention when she had the whole auditorium in tears during the songs ‘He’s My Boy’ and ‘My Man, Your Boy’. Phenomenal. Southampton are also lucky enough to have Giovanna Fletcher playing ‘Miss Hedge’ and John Partridge playing ‘Hugo/Loco Chanelle’ who again were both brilliant. John did a beautiful job at bringing in a further sense of sensitivity and understanding throughout the musical, whether he was dressed in his glamorous ‘Loco Chanelle’ get up or not. Veteran ‘Jamie’ actress, Talia Palamathanan reprised her role as ‘Pretty Pasha’, and all I can say is that it’s understandable why she has played the role multiple times in multiple different countries. It’s been so hard not to name each cast member individually in this review, but unfortunately it would make it unbearably longer than it’s going to be already.

The set was also what you’d expect from a record breaking West End musical. Clever, efficient, but still grand. West end theatres tend to be a lot tighter so sets need to make the most of the stage they have. This is something you can tell has been kept in mind with this set design, but it certainly doesn’t get lost on the Mayflowers stage. The wall at the back is multi-functional becoming a kitchen, a shop, and a multitude of different places whilst allowing for the shows multiple split scenes. I also really enjoyed the use of the school desks turning into a catwalk, mixed with the lighting which was really effective. The lighting was fairly simple throughout, relying heavily on spotlights to pinpoint certain characters in a scene. The use of projection and video added lots to different scenes however. In particular at the end of act 1, the tall curtains and projection of Jamie was very creative. The pre-recorded videos of Ivano and Giovanna that were projected onto the back walls also helped tell the story of the songs whilst filling some empty space.
It really is a fabulous story, fabulously told that makes you feel good.
As I’ve already mentioned, the singing within the show was brilliant; but as I always say, if there is one thing that can really elevate a musical it’s live music. The live band headed by Danny Belton, was note perfect. They really helped set the pace of the show, and when they were involved you could feel the energy move with them. I also like how they have stuck to their West End routes with the band being sat on stage above the action, rather than moving them to a pit which they could’ve easily done with the space provided. Something that I haven’t really mentioned but really enjoyed was the choreography and dance. Choreographer, Kate Prince, has done a great job at including a range of different dance styles and highlighting these in certain areas as well. If there is one thing that I thought ‘Jamie’ could improve on, it would be the long dialogue sections between characters when nothing else was happening. These are needed, but towards the end of act 1 I could start seeing people check their watches for when the interval was coming and I was also the same. I think it was the silences when silence wasn’t needed for dramatic effect. But that is just me being incredibly picky.
I’m so impressed by this story and how the cast have told it so effectively. The story holds so many important morals and challenges that can be interpreted differently by each individual. Not only that, but it had me laughing out loud, speechless (which is challenging), and even close to tears. It really is a fabulous story, fabulously told that makes you feel good. I feel like this is a musical so many people will be able to resonate with in different ways. I keep saying about how important I feel the show is and one line that Jamie says almost sums it up without spoiling it for those who haven’t seen it. It’s along the lines of, “Real superheroes/men don’t wear capes, they wear dresses”. This will all become clear when you see this musical, which you absolutely should if you get the chance (especially with this tour cast!). ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ is at Mayflower Theatre until January 14th before continuing on its UK tour and I wish the whole company all the success they deserve.
Winchester News Online
Greenham Common holds half marathon in aid of baby charity

On Sunday, Run Forest Run organised a half marathon alongside a 10k run, canicross route and a kids race all having the goal of raising money for the charity New life who help provide essential and specialized equipment for neonatal units helping premature and seriously ill babies survive and live their life.
New Life was launched by Trevor Goodall 30 years ago after his two sons died after they were born underweight.
Since then the charity has raised more than £2m.
The half marathon, which was making its second appearance on the common, was won by Lawrence Gillard in a time of 1:26:46.
In the 10k ,out of 99 runners, Danny Hawkins came out on top completing the route in just over 34 minutes and with their furry companion in the canicross, Mark Chance crossed the line first in 42:52.
The course passed the control towers and bunkers which were previously used in the Cold War.
The nearby airfield was previously used as a filming location for some Star Wars films as well as Fast and Furious.
It wasn’t only the other runners they were racing against but having to navigate cattle and herds around the area.
One of the founders of Run Forest Run, Mark Hayes said: “We’ve got six events planned for next year and possibly two others.
“We had about 400 runners last year, and raised around £22,000 and we always have New life special care babies as our primary charity.”
Sport
Billie Jean King – Battle of the Sexes – 1973

The year was 1973. The lights of the Houston Astrodome glared down on a tennis court that had become more than just a playing field — it was a stage for a cultural revolution.
Cameras flashed, tension buzzed in the air, and two players stepped onto the court — one a confident showman, the other a determined trailblaser carrying the hopes of millions.
As the first serve sliced through the air on that September evening, millions around the world weren’t just watching a tennis match — they were witnessing a fight for equality, respect, and change.
Billie Jean King is a legendary American tennis champion and advocate for gender equality whose career and impact extends far beyond the court.
With 39 Grand Slams titles and a historic victory in 1973, “Battle of the Sexes” match, she not only proved her athletic ability but also challenged stereotypes about women within the world of sport.
As a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and a leader behind equal prize money, King became a powerful force for fairness and inclusion, later emerging as a voice for LGBTQ+ rights.
Her legacy as both a world class athlete and a fearless activist changed the game for generations to come.
The “Battle of the Sexes” was a famous match, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a former men’s champion who was adamant that men were superior athletes.
The match was played in front of more than 30,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome and watched by roughly 90 million people worldwide, the event was a both a sporting spectacle and a major milestone in the fight for gender equality.
Billie Jean King defeated Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), this proved that women could compete in the highest level which inspired greater respect and opportunities for female athletes around the world.
The event’s impact was immediate. Women’s tennis surged in popularity, drawing new audiences, sponsorships, and media coverage. King used the momentum to push for lasting change.
This helped the US Open to become the first major tournament to offer equal pay. Her win also empowered a new generation of female athletes to come out and code and what was rightfully theirs.
More than five decades later, the Battle of the Sexes remains a cultural milestone.
It symbolised more than just a tennis match, it was a statement about equality, perseverance, and the power of sport to challenge societal norms.
Culture
Review of The Roses 2025

If something looks perfect from the outside does it mean it actually is?
That’s the concept that director Jay Roach brings to life in the new movie The Roses released in August 2025.
The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses which was originally based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel.
Although unlike the novel the characters instead are shown to struggle with their different careers either rising or falling.
It has been adapted, in my opinion, to make it resonate with women a lot more as in both the novel and first film the women were stay at home mothers who felt unsatisfied.
This appears to be one of the main reasons for the divorces with Barbara (Kathleen Turner) eventually turning to a catering business.
However, within the new modernised version Ivy’s (Olivia Colman) successful career is a point of contempt for Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch).
While it starts off with a more realistic depiction of parents struggling with the loss of a career and a start of a new one, it slowly divulges itself away from the typical divorcee movie.
I watched this movie at the Everyman (luxury I know!) and the grip it had on me as an audience member was outstanding.
With the selection of actors involved in this movie it’s no surprise that there is a mix of comedy and drama making it a satirical black comedy.
While it was delightful to watch, I feel that some audience members might criticise the realism of the movie.
Yet I go to the cinema to be transported from real life so the mix of realism and shock factor was highly entertaining.
A contrasting mix of comedy and darkness
The performances from the actors was exactly what the movie needed.
The chemistry, or lack thereof, between Colman and Cumberbatch was so believable that you would think that they were married in real life.
Their delivery of both the comedy and the rage was again so believable that it sucked me as the audience into what was the “dirty laundry” of their personal lives.
With a supporting cast including Andy Samberg, Allison Janney and others their characters mostly brought the comedy relief needed in to break the movie up.
They also gave us a contrast to the main relationship being shown which helped us recognise how some of the actions were exaggerated for our benefit.
However, some critics online have noted that while it is undeniably a satirical dark comedy, the dark comedy seemed to be held back some times, therefore not always giving it the edge it needed.
I think that for a 15 certificate movie it had just the right amount to stretch over its wide audience.
Another criticism that The Roses received was that the contrast between the comedy and cruelty was sometimes so abrupt that it didn’t hit as hard as it could have.
At some points the comedy seemed out of place which almost gave the film a sort of jarring feel as they changed between the emotions.
The ending is ambiguous which can have mixed reactions from the audience.
Some may like to have the movie tied up neatly at the end whereas others like that they can believe what they want to believe.
I am the latter in the case of this movie as I enjoyed the fact that I could believe either the more macabre ending or not.
To me the ending, without giving any spoilers, had me on the edge of my seat with a real 360 turn.
Again it had the perfect amount of shock factor and comedy which highlighted the overall tone throughout.
I felt that it drew the entire film together nicely especially with the ending performance from Coleman and Cumberbatch.
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