EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE. Score: Dan Gillespie Sells. Book and Lyrics: Tom MacRae. Director: Paul Griffiths. Musical Director: Garth Tavares. Choreographer: Ursula Lubbe. With John Marshall, Danielle Bosman, Isabella Schnetler, Kate Lagan, Khanya Gwe, Asanda Mngadi, Azande Dube and Dante Verona. Photographs: Michael Dupré. Presented by the Waterfront Theatre School. Artscape Arena KAREN RUTTER reviews
It never ceases to amaze, the amount of gob-smacking young talent there is in Cape Town, particularly when it comes to theatre, and especially musical theatre. A lot may have to do with the wonderful mentoring opportunities offered by some theatres, as well as the higher grade training at various theatre schools. But a whole lot has to do with the innate abilities of the performers themselves, which, given the space to flourish, is taken to professional levels. Even when they are still students.
And so it is with the Waterfront Theatre School’s production of Everybody’s Talking about Jamie. It’s a clever choice, to start with, featuring as it does a large young cast. But it’s also a bold choice, taken that not all the roles are for teenagers, placing a large target on those who play the parts of parents or teachers or generally older characters, including veteran drag queens. And amazingly, the WTS ensemble handle all these roles exceptionally.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is also a topical and very relevant choice, dealing as it does with issues of otherness, bullying and rejection – issues which many, if not most, teenagers are faced with in their schools, or communities. The challenge to express oneself, the strength to stand out, and the importance of support are all a part of the scenario. In this narrative, Jamie is a gay schoolboy who wants to be a drag queen when he grows up – and part of that dream is to wear a dress to prom night. Despite a sympathetic mum and best friend, and the joyful encouragement of a quartet of queer mentors, Jamie still has to deal with a particularly mean classmate, a discouraging teacher, and a homophobic, absent dad.
Happily, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is ultimately a feel-good story, despite the glitches. A story which is told with absolute joy and skill by this WTS team.
Sparkling, joyful and very professional
Playing Jamie is obviously a huge role, one which requires the actor to be on stage for most of the two-hour production – and deliver in heels. John Marshall is perfect for the part, mixing just the right mount of camp with pathos. Plus he has a lovely voice (and legs)! Also a standout is Danielle Bosman as Jamie’s mom, displaying an astounding maturity in her performance, as well as really, really great vocals. On this front, Azande Dube as the teacher Miss Hedge also comes up trumps in her “older” role. Kate Lagan as best friend Pritti Pasha, and Asanda Mngadi in dual roles as Hugo and Loco Chanelle, are also impressive.
But actually, the whole damn cast is fantastic, triple threats the lot of them, with bright futures ahead. Director Paul Griffiths, together with Musical Director Garth Tavares and Choreographer Ursula Lubbe, have pulled the best out of this smoothly drilled dream team. The cherries on the top are Laika Virgin, Tray Sophisticay and Sandra Bollock (Andrew Woods, Andrew Ingram and Krys Orly), who add their fabulosity to the mix.
I wish that there was a show like this when I was at school – and I’m so happy there is one now. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a sparkling, joyful and very professional production. Do go and see it while you can.
What: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Where and when: Artscape from 9 to 19 July 2025
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
