"Everybody's Talking About Jamie"

Nottingham Theatre Royal

"Everybody's Talking About Jamie" is a coming-of-age stage musical with music by Dan Gillespie Sells and book and lyrics by Tom MacRae. The musical is inspired by the 2011 British television documentary "Jamie: Drag Queen at 16". The musical follows and is based upon the true-life story of 16-year-old schoolboy Jamie Campbell, as he overcomes prejudice and bullying to step out of the darkness into the spotlight and become a drag queen, and also gets to go to the school prom dressed how he wants to dress.

I watched the TV documentary and loved it. You have to admire a young person who wants to change the way people see certain things and fights for what they believe is right, breaking down prejudices along the way. This is one reason why I wanted to see the stage musical, already making my mind up that I was going to love the show. And I do.

Jamie New, in the performance that I saw on opening night was played by understudy Adam Taylor, and while it was a bit disappointing not to be able to see Layton Williams in the role, Adam Taylor stole the show and will be, in my mind, the first and best Jamie. You never forget your first do you? His voice is full of emotion and has that great sense of fun, and a killer pair of heels that he is super confident wearing. The applause at the end of the show, proved he is a wonderful actor, singer and dancer and worthy of stepping into Layton's high heels.

Amy Ellen Richardson played Jamie's Mum, Margaret. And, as a parent, you understand what Margaret is going through and will protect your child to the very end. And what a voice! I was completely overwhelmed hearing her sing "He's My Boy".

Sasha Latoya (Ray) plays Margaret's best mate. A brilliantly ballsy role, and just the sort of mate you want on your side. Her voice is worthy of any blues club, and shows off her powerful vocals on "Limited Edition Prom Night Special".

Sharon Phull (Pritti Pasha) plays Jamie's best friend and confidante. Her vocals on the beautiful "It Means Beautiful" are just gorgeous.

Shane Richie (Hugo/Loco Chanellle) plays the owner of a shop that supplies drag attire, and also performs under his alter ego, Loco Chanelle. I've seen Shane in several stage musicals and plays but I must confess that he is superb in this role, and he does look good in drag.

George Sampson (Dean Paxton) plays the bully. George makes us detest Dean and the things that he says to both Jamie and Pritti but gets put in his place by both by the end, but it's nice to see what happens at the end. George is an amazing dancer and gets to show this talent off to great effect. I remember George as the angelic looking "Singing In The Rain" dancer on Britain's Got Talent, which he won back in 2008. Here, George has matured in his looks and, with his haircut and sneer, he looks the part of a bully.

Lara Denning (Miss Hedge) plays the career teacher at Jamie's school who, when finding out that Jamie wants to become a performer tells him to "keep it real". Lara has a brilliant voice and from the first song "And You Don't Even Know It" where she turns in a mighty impressive rap section. Why didn't the career teacher at my old school look like Miss Hedge, especially when it came to prom night!

One actor who got booed for his character (anyone would think it was panto) was Cameron Johnson, who played Jamie's Dad. He was disgusted and disappointed in how Jamie had turned out and made no bones about telling Jamie so. The audience were well up for backing Jamie by this stage, and even at the curtain call, Cameron received boos from the audience. This however shows that Cameron is a talented actor, making the audience believe the character he was portraying.

Drag is an art form of it's own and not many can pull off this particular area of entertainment. I know a few drag artists and they are, out of drag, the loveliest people, but when in drag, the fiercest of entertainers, for whom you do not want to try and get the better of! This side of the business is highlighted by the drag artists in this musical, Sandra Bollock (Garry Lee), Laika Virgin (John Paul McCue) and Tray Sophisticay (Rhys Taylor).

An ensemble of "classmates" who actually look young enough to be in the final year of school - maybe they are! nevertheless, they have an enormous amount of energy in the choreographed sections, which may I also say were some of the best dance scenes I have seen for a while. The Choreographer being Kate Prince

Directed by Matt Ryan, he blended both the pathos and the excitement perfectly.

I loved the set design by Anna Fleischle, with the orchestra on the top level of the set, hidden by screens which allowed the video design (Luke Halls) to be projected. the lower section segueing the classroom and Jamie's house smoothly, as well as the dressing rooms for the drag club, Legs 11, and Hugo's shop.

Both sound (Paul Groothius) and light design(Lucy Carter) were perfectly blended.

The soundtrack is made up of some brilliant songs that could easily be chart successes. Songs like "And You Don't Even Know It", "If I Met Myself Again" which also included a beautifully choreographed piece of contemporary dance to compliment Amy Ellen Richardson's vocals, the title song, "He's My Boy", "My Man Your Boy" and the epic "Out Of the Darkness".

There will always be a place for the Underdog wherever you look, and we always love to back that Underdog, so when a musical like this comes along, we always get behind the underdog character, which the audience did tonight, providing a massive standing ovation.

Let's not forget though that this is based on a true story and this sort of prejudice is here all the time. Whether it be racism, homophobia, or just a dislike of anyone who happens to be just a little different we need to embrace the difference in people and just be kind to everyone.

At times emotional, at times immense fun, what this musical is not is run of the mill and bland, plus it has a very important message to deliver and I imagine will lead to a great deal of conversation when you leave the theatre, which is exactly what it should do.

Wednesday and Thursday night everyone will be talking about Adam Taylor, but Layton Williams will be back in the role of Jamie for the remainder of the Nottingham run.

"Everybody's Talking About Jamie" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Sunday 27 February.