Tag: Devizes Music Academy

An effervescent musical, full of promising young talent

Written by: Melissa Loveday

Images by: Gail Foster

After the success of SIX last year, Devizes Music Academy is beginning to make a name for itself with its second musical production, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which featured two electrifying performances on 19th April at Devizes School….

And wow! What an incredible show it was! Bringing this musical sensation to life – including Northern accents, multiple set and costume changes and complex dance numbers – was ambitious. Yet after only a week of rehearsals, 23 talented young performers, aged just 13 to 18, poured their hearts and souls into a performance that was dynamic, professional and full of impressive talent. It had heart, humour and heels so high I wouldn’t be able to walk in them, let alone dance!

From the opening scene, it was packed with raucous energy and perfectly delivered sass that immediately transported us to a gritty Sheffield comprehensive, where Year 11s contend with the wonderful and frightening possibilities that lie ahead of each of them. Jamie New, an openly gay 16-year-old who dreams of becoming a drag queen, was instantly likeable as he and the rest of the cast swept us into his pop-fantastic daydream ‘And You Don’t Even Know It’.

Inspired by the BBC Three documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was written by Tom MaCrae with music by Dan Gillespie Sells, from an idea by Jonathan Butterell. First produced by Sheffield Theatres, the show took London’s West End by storm in late 2017 and has brought infectious joy to audiences ever since.  

But this is a story about more than a boy wanting to wear a dress. It’s a multi-layered tale of family and friendship, and having the courage to step into the person you were always meant to be. Set in a working-class area of South Yorkshire, England, the story is grounded in a world that’s relatable, keeping it from becoming overly sentimental. Instead, it feels edgy and vibrant, whilst not shying away from the struggles individual characters face.  

What made this amateur ‘Teen Edition’ so special was the thrill of watching real teenagers bring these teen characters to life. Under Jemma Brown’s expert direction, with vocal coaching by Teresa Isaacson and choreography by Sarah Davies, the cast delivered a level of talent that could easily hold its own on a West End stage.

The whole ensemble was brilliantly cast, with every member delivering a believable storyline through genuine and multi-dimensional acting, powerful vocals and sharp choreography.

Jacob Leggett was made to play Jamie. At just 15, he brought the perfect mix of camp charisma and youthful innocence to the role, whilst also capturing Jamie’s wit, cheekiness and vulnerability. His rendition of ‘Wall In My Head’ was captivating, building beautifully into an emotional crescendo that gave me chills!  

Meanwhile, Ruby Phipps gave Pritti, Jamie’s loyal, studious best friend, a quietly headstrong presence. Her solo ‘Beautiful’ was sung with elegant control, allowing each phrase the space and diction needed to feel both precise and spontaneous. Although she and other cast members weren’t Muslim, the production honoured the spirit of diversity by respectfully representing the Muslim community, complete with hijabs.

As a parent, I was moved by Lisa Grime’s portrayal of Jamie’s mum, Margaret, especially her song ‘He’s My Boy’. It was heartfelt and mature, with excellent vocal range, and had me reflecting on the bittersweet truth that while we strive to shield our children from pain, life will inevitably hurt them, and yet we thrive on seeing them live authentically. Our children, in all their brilliance and vulnerability, are our greatest accomplishments.

Another standout came from Cory White, who doubled as the school bully and Jamie’s dad, who’s harsh lines stung, but showed subtle remorse that added depth to his characterisation.

Ted Maughan was commanding as Hugo and playful as Loco Chanelle, offering a refreshing contrast with his confident spoken-word delivery style and lively American accent.

The set design was simple but effective, with props such as a balloon arch for the prom scene creating a party feel. Transitions between classroom, kitchen, bus stop and prom seemed to happen as if by magic, enhanced by effective lighting and seamless costume changes, from school uniforms to dazzling prom gowns. The spotlight reveal of Jamie’s red dress was especially powerful, leaving the audience wanting more.

Dynamic choreography and colourful harmonies elevated the production, from coordinated group numbers to breakout moments allowing individual characters to shine. Particularly memorable was the schoolgirls’ clapping routine in ‘Spotlight’, reminding us of the characters’ young age, while a dance duet between Cory White and Chloe Whitcombe during Margaret’s ‘If I Met Myself Again’ added a poignant, dreamlike quality to the song. But I especially loved the title number ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’, which kicked off Act II, with its excited, gossipy feel, as multiple characters bounced their individual lines off each other before erupting into an energetic and synchronised dance sequence that had the whole room buzzing!

It’s genuinely hard to believe this was amateur musical theatre. The level of professionalism, emotional authenticity and pure talent displayed by every single cast member absolutely blew me away. These young performers truly brought a little bit of glitter to the grey.

With so much promising young talent on our doorstep, it begs the question: what’s next Devizes Music Academy? Whatever it is, I can’t wait!

You can catch an abridged version of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Fulltone Festival, The Green, Devizes, on Friday 25 July. For tickets, visit www.fto.org.uk

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