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.
Liphook United boss Carl Harris understands how much pressure is on his side as they are one win away from winning the Hampshire Premier League after their 3-1 victory on Tuesday night against Moneyfields Reserves.
Moneys took an early lead through former Portsmouth midfielder Stan Bridgman but Ryan Angear, Marco Sellitto and Marcus Bedford were on target for the Blues to gain all three points in East Hampshire.
Victory for Liphook saw them pick up their 11th win from losing positions this season, which saw Harris praised his squad’s character after Tuesday’s comeback.
He told Winol: “It’s always going to be tough game [against Moneyfields Reserves], they are playing to stay in the league and had a few first team players playing for them – Stan Bridgman and Elliott Turnbull.
“The last few weeks people have been saying we should win the league and now it’s just us to close it out.”
‘We are a second-half team’
Harris told Winol: “People have been saying – ‘how are Liphook going to win the league, they are not that good.’ I agree with people saying ‘we’re a second-half team’ and it’s nothing to do with other than character.
“The character of my team is the best I know, that is the 11th time this season we have come back from behind and won. That’s character so when we look like we’re down and out, we’re not.
“People can say whatever they like, it’s just one more now.”
One more win
Saturday afternoon could see Liphook become winners of the Hampshire Premier League for the first time since 2012.
A win on Saturday against rock bottom Fleet Spurs will see the Blues win the league with four games to spare.
Fleet have only two league wins all season, Liphook will certainly go into the game as favorites.
The two sides met earlier this month as the Blues took home all three points at Kennels Lane.
“It’s the day we wanted,” said Harris. “At home [on a Saturday], our Reserves are playing before us – the whole club will be here, and that is something no one can take away from us.
“It will be tough [against Fleet Spurs], only won 3-2 against a good side. Every game is tight, and we will probably make hard work of it but I don’t care as long as we get our day.”
The Royal Navy FA have booked their place in the Portsmouth Senior Cup final after last night’s 2-0 victory over Petersfield Town.
The Rams came into the tie with a much stronger side with the returning Tommy Tierney, former Portsmouth midfielder Charlie Bell and captain Liam Kimber making the starting 11 after being rested on Monday night.
Petersfield controlled the early stages of the game but the RN were able to create some chances. Skipper Danny Kerr had his effort palmed away by youngster Harvey Greenfield, before Elliot Holmes’ strike was comfortable caught by the Rams keeper.
The RN continued to break on the counter, looking to attack down the flanks, but had no luck with Petersfield’s dominant display and they failed to really test Dane Rigby. Tyler Giddings’ effort was blasted over as Jake Thomson has his low drive blocked.
Tierney’s strike was pushed away for a corner by Rigby as Kimber tried his luck from range just before the break.
HT: Petersfield Town 0-0 Royal Navy FA
Just seconds into the restart Petersfield came extremely close to taking the lead with Kimber’s strike just going wide of the post.
Cam Quirke had two opportunities on goal, which were comfortable caught by Greenfield.
Two quick chances for the Rams saw Giddings’ header snatched by Rigby as Charlie Merritt drilled his effort wide.
Kerr and Holmes combined just outside the box, which allowed substitute Sanchez Jansz-Baker to volley his effort over the bar.
However shortly afterwards Jansz-Baker found the bottom left corner to put the RN ahead with 20 minutes remaining.
Tierney had another opportunity, this time to make it level, but he curled his effort from outside the box wide.
Petersfield believed they should of been awarded a penalty when Callum Knoll was bought down by Jim Cox, the referee waved play on.
The Rams controlled the later stages of the game. Alex Hulme’s strike was blocked by Rigby as Bell managed to pick out Thomson late on but his header was cleared away.
In the third minute of added time Petersfield’s last attack of game saw Bell square it across the face of goal but Shawn Benjamin managed hook it clear.
This allowed another attack for the RN, which saw Sean Powell net in the late on to secure their spot in final of Portsmouth Senior Cup
FT: Petersfield Town 0-2 Royal Navy FA
Gosport Borough or Portsmouth U21s will lock horns with the RN at the PMC Stadium next month.
Connor Hoare told Winol: “We could have been 2-0 up before their first goal. Liam [Kimber], Charlie [Merritt] and Tommo [Jake Thomson] had chances, and we make a mistake, 1-0.
“We just said to the lads [after the game], it’s a bit of our story of the season – on top of games, but all of a sudden they are taking their opportunities. The amount of times this season, whether that be at half-time or at the end of the game, we’ve gone ‘how have we not won that game?’ It has been relentless the amount of times we’ve said that, and today was another case of it.”
What has gone wrong?
The Rams have been missing a lot of key players due to injury in recent weeks. Keeper Ellis Grant, Ollie Davis, Cam Smith and Chad Cornwell have all been sidelined.
Archie Greenough and Dec Seiden, who finished off as the club’s top goalscorer despite leaving in early February, both left Petersfield during the season.
Seiden’s 15 goals for Hoare’s side earned him a move back to Moneyfields, who scored a further five times for the Wessex Premier League champions.
Hoare has expressed how the club’s struggled since Seiden’s departure, and has hinted where the Rams will be looking to strength next season: “Losing Dec was massive for us, he had a lot of goal contributions, it was actually quite difficult [the transition from losing him] – we prepare a way of playing around him.
“You take him out, you take all your goals out.
“The last few months [since Dec left] we’ve been playing Liam Kimber, who is a midfielder, as a striker – because we’ve no one else. Ollie Davis was our biggest goal threat all season, he suffered a four month injury. We know we need a striker, winger and a really experienced centre-back [when we go into recruitment in the summer].
“We’re looking for more experience, we’ll come back as a better team, next year”
Petersfield Town will be aiming to book their place in the final of the Portsmouth Senior Cup for the first time in seven years when they welcome the Royal Navy FA on Thursday Night, following a disappointing 5-1 defeat against Fareham Town on Monday night.
National South side Havant & Waterlooville’s withdrawal from the competition, a few days after their relegation was confirmed, saw the Rams progress to the final four.
From being one of the favourites to being relegated, to avoiding the relegation battle completely, Connor Hoare’s debut season as Petersfield manager, a chance of silverware would be icing on the cake.
Whereas the RN have swept aside Hampshire Premier League sides Denmead and Paulsgrove.
But Hoare has concerned ahead of the semi-final tie – saying the game is ‘one of the most difficult games to prepare for,’ when speaking to Winol before last Saturday’s draw against Cowes Sports.
Hoare said: “I think it is probably one of the most difficult games to prepare for, to be honest. You don’t know anything about them – you don’t know the players, you have no footage – you always must go into the game just worrying about yourself.
“The results clearly speak for themselves, they’re [Royal Navy FA] are a good side. They’re obviously fit because they’re in the navy, and that is all you can predicted. With that knowledge, we are going to have to run as much as they are going to run.
“We know they are more coached than they’re – we can use that to our advantage”
Briefing on Monday’s game:
A heavily rotated Petersfield Town suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against Fareham Town on Monday night which even saw both Rams managers Hoare and Callum Glen on the pitch, rather than the dugout.
Jamie Truckell netted a first-half hat-trick as Jamie Hosking scored two free-kicks for the Creeksiders.
Jo Houldsworth scored a late consolation for Petersfield.
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