SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2025

Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Photo courtesy of Kim Kelly

An exhibition of raw naturalism filled with colour, energy and ingenuity, the Alfie Boe James Huish Academy Of Theatre Arts' production of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, directed by James Huish, is kinetically creative youth theatre at its most vibrant. Nearly three hours, interval included, pass in the downstairs theatre of Belfast's MAC but you really wouldn't know it as a tremendously talented cast, led by an especially impressive Dara McNaughton as the title character, literally drag us in to the proceedings with a degree of vigour and vivacity that fully commands one's attention during every minute.

Alongside a succession of catchy tunes co-penned by Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae come refreshingly open and real characterisations, cleverly integrated messaging, and elegantly simple, undisputedly charming set design. The use of a video wall, split at an angle, inspiringly conveys a real sense of three-dimensional space in the classrooms, living rooms, streets, shops and other locations already brought to life by acting, props, costumes and of course song and dance in what you could call a unorthodox and relatable working-class grammar school musical. With Gillespie Sells and MacRae's songs echoing modern musical theatre numbers and nostalgically popular music both in style and mood, each of them amiably adhering to Gemma Greene's earnest and thoughtfully paced choreography, there is plenty here for audience members of all kinds to fully enjoy.

Enjoyment doesn't appear to be initially associated with McNaughton's Jamie, the kind who seems to be lucking out in his Sheffield school. A gay teenager with aspirations of being a drag queen, his career choice is at odds both with what his fellow pupils either seem to prefer or may feel constricted into preferring based on the well-known aptitude test. Yes, apparent artificial intelligence equivalent apparently picking a profession, long before AI enhanced in development and ubiquity. Which immediately, without taking our attention away from the story and music, raises the issue of social conditioning within schooling. When the wish to perform for a living goes from standout to standard, given the common youthful longing to succeed in a very tough business, this can lead to discouragement on the inside and outside - and it’s even harder when it looks and feels like one does not, supposedly, belong, implying that they will indeed stand out but for reasons that may or may not earn approval from their peers. It then appears like it's up to them to transcend that with or without the right support - perhaps there's a me-against-the-world feeling here, or perhaps not.

McNaughton, superbly building on the promise of his All Growed Up performance, gets the trajectory and depth in this story - and he's surrounded by an equally commendable ensemble. Rebecca Murray truly shines as Jamie's friend Pritti, her vocals during "It Means Beautiful" attaining a particularly high level of poignancy. Both Tiffany McGowan, as Jamie's teacher, and James Hutchinson, as the school bully Dean, are stand out presences, as is Leah McLoughlin for her grounded portrayal of Jamie's family friend Ray. Much laughter and genuine showmanship can be found in Michael Payer's performance of Jamie's "mentor", Hugo. And Shirley Adair, as Jamie's mother, finds a unique way to spotlight the complications of single parenthood. The mental battle she visibly faces to present the image of the mother she wants to be and the family that she believes will be right for Jamie himself is very real indeed, and reaches a zenith with her performance of "He's My Boy".

Everybody's Talking About Jamie feels and is exactly what youth theatre should feel and be like, and much more – a funny, thoughtful and engrossing tale of what it takes to fit in, what it means to stand out and the struggle to stay true to oneself amidst turbulent circumstance, blended with not only a realist edge but also many of the most memorable elements the medium has to offer. It's a wondrously put together piece of work which bodes well for the future of every creative on stage and the Alfie Boe James Huish Academy itself.

Simon Fallaha

Everybody's Talking About Jamie runs at Belfast's MAC until Saturday July 26. For more information, and tickets, click here.