"Everybody's Talking About Jamie" by Kristian Thomas Company.

Derby Theatre.

"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.

Jamie New is played by Kristian Cunningham, and believe it or not, this is his debut stage performance with Kristian Thomas Company, and it so good to see Kristian performing in the perfect musical for him. It took a quick doubletake to see him with dyed blond hair, but there's no mistaking his voice. What is also good to hear is the full range that his voice has - after only seeing Kristian in panto, hearing his voice cut through the Derby Theatre auditorium, like the proverbial knife, you could not help but get tingles, especially in the ballads "The Wall In My Head" and "My Man/Your Boy". Panto is great fun but seeing his emotive side with the anger that comes with character is a real eye opener. All that and the sassiness and comedic side of Jamie New is just like seeing this amazing musical for the first time thanks to Kristian Cunningham.

Jamie's Mum, Margaret is played by Kate Williams. When you have seen 95% of the cast before in various roles and have chatted to them, sometimes at length, I often think that an actor can't surprise me that much in a role, especially when you know their talents. Kate Williams as Margaret New was incredible. One of my favourite songs from the score is "He's My Boy" which drips with emotion and it takes someone with a powerful and emotional range to crack that song. Enter Kate Williams! I was left positively tingling all over and with moist eyes after listening to Kate pour her heart and soul into that song. the other big ballad that Kate performs is "If I Met Myself Again" which is as equally emotive. It goes without saying, especially if you've seen Kate on stage before, that her heart and soul also is pumped into Margaret New's character.

Ray, Margaret's best friend, is played by Louise Grantham-Lang . A brilliantly ballsy role, and just the sort of mate you want on your side. I love this role and Louise created electricity every time she walked on stage as Ray.

Pritti Pasha, Jamie's best friend and confidante, is played by Soleil Quarless. Here's another Jamie role that I love to bits and I also love watching Soleil on stage. One of Pritti's big songs is called "Beautiful" and that is one word that I would use to describe Soleil's voice. Pritti by character and pretty in every other possible way. The final prom scene where we see Pritti's outburst still makes me sit up sharp, even though I must have seen this show about half a dozen times. While Pritti may have felt like punching Dean Paxton, the rest of the audience felt like punching the air.

Hugo/Loco Chanellle is played by David Covey. I raved over David's Fagin, and now I am raving over David's joint role here. The "camp" is perfectly measured as Hugo and then escalated to the max as Loco Chanelle, and I love that silver dress and wig, making him look like Danny La Rue at his peak.

Dean Paxton, the school bully, is played by Tom Samuel. Tom makes us detest Dean and the things that he says to both Jamie and Pritti but gets put in his place by both at the end of the musical. The final scenes with Jamie and Dean though are heart-warming. You can gain a little of how good an actor is in the role by listening to the audience responses when an actor is on stage, and listening to Thursday matinee's crowd proved that Tom's performance this afternoon was everything that it should have been, even receiving a smattering of booing at the final bows. Paxton makes you feel uncomfortable with the things that he is spouting about Jamie and Pritti, and I can imagine that Tom also felt the same way bringing this horrible character to the Derby Theatre stage; but as I've said, that shows what an excellent actor Tom is.

Miss Hedge, the careers teacher, is played by Rosie MacLaughlin. Rosie 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, as well as the stomping "Work Of Art", Rosie shows what a fine set of lungs she has. Miss Hedge is a "see-saw" character because to start with you have the feeling that she is completely against Jamie, telling him to "keep it real", but come prom night, her true colours shine through. Why didn't the career teacher at my old school look like Miss Hedge, especially when it came to prom night!

Jamie's Dad is played by Darryll Clarke. His Dad was disgusted and disappointed in how Jamie had turned out and made no bones about telling Jamie so. Another character who makes you feel uncomfortable, especially with some of the things he says about Jamie being a mistake.

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 (Matt Powell), Laika Virgin (David Page) and Tray Sophisticay (Darryll Clarke).

Becca and Bex are played by Shannon O'Donnell and Betsy Mae Kirkland-Ball. Another pair of characters who you definitely want on your side, and Shannon and Betsy Mae look to be having the time of their lives playing this fun duo.

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. Matt Powell (Bill), David Page (Mickey), Megan Singleton (Vicky), Bethany Wear (Tracie), Jake Lightbown (Levi), Harrison West (Cy and also doubles as Young Loco Chanelle - a stunning dress and what a pair of legs!) and Lydia Thacker (John).

Abbie Faulkner, Anna King, Charlotte Carradice, Ellie Simmonds, Eva Sheppard, Grace Collishaw, Helen Perry, Jane Magee, Katie Lawson, Luca Smith, Maddie Brooks-Brown, Millie Seymour, Lydia Thacker, Megan Singleton, Molly Parkinson, Poppy Cook, Reema Frost and Sophie Lowe. 

Directed by Alyshea Gomes, assisted by Tom Samuels. This production has such pace it leaves you breathless and the casting of the characters is perfection.

Choreographed by Chloe Hopcroft and Sam Holden. Anne King is the Dance Captain. This show is packed with some brilliantly choreographed ensemble pieces. Both openings to the two acts are big dance numbers and straight away they fire you up with some of the hottest choreography locally.

Musical Director is Charlotte Daniel. Every vocal is spot on; the music side of the show is absolutely faultless, all thanks to Charlotte Daniel.

The score is made up of some brilliant songs. Songs like "And You Don't Even Know It", "If I Met Myself Again", "He's My Boy", "My Man Your Boy", the epic "Out Of the Darkness" and of course the title song.

Set Design is by Scenic Projects Ltd., a name that I've mentioned a couple of times this week.

Sound Design is by Harry Greatorex. I have always professed that Derby Theatre has one of the best sound systems with the best clarity out of all the local theatres. Whether that is the system itself or the Designers and Operators who use the system, I don't know, I just know that on every visit, the sound is practically perfect.

Lighting Design is by Stephen Greatorex, who is also Technical Manager. This high energy show has a lighting design to match, but that's only to be expected from lighting legend Stephen. Kiah Smith did a great job on follow spot operation.

One area that really sets this production above the rest is the incredible, personalised video design. It almost breathes life and is practically another cast member. Designed by Matt Powell, assisted by Ryan Watson, this helps blur the lines between local theatre production and professional technical designs like "The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time".

Wigs and Make up Design are thanks to Beth Crew. The Drag Queens' wigs are as big and glamorous as their personalities.

Costume Supervisor is Amy Wicks and a special mention must go to Jules Sheppard for the effects for Jamie's limited edition blood red prom dress.

Millie Gilks is the Producer for the show as well as the Company Stage Manager; Elizabeth Harvey being the Deputy Stage Manager.

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. This show is always going to be relevant as long as there are real life characters knocking about like Dean Paxton or Jamie's Dad. Thank Goodness for real people like Jamie in this world, and for everything that they stand for.

"Everybody's Talking About Jamie" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 1 November.