Splinters Theatre Group’s Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – 9 September 2025, Montgomery Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a fabulously fun musical that brings to life and celebrates Jamie and the journey of everyone about them, whilst bringing the art of drag to a new generation. A story of love, acceptance and friendship, the love and friendship between the cast of Splinters also shines through and makes the Montgomery Theatre the place you want to be this week.
You can’t mention Everybody’s Talking About Jamie without mentioning Jamie and Ben Rossiter as Jamie was truly fabulous in the role over flowing, even before he is handed the red stilettos and sparkly hotpants, in confidence, attitude, charisma, stage presence and chemistry, whilst also capturing the vulnerability of the character and more than doing the real life Jamie Campbell justice.
Jamie might have the show named after him, but as a mum the true star of the show for me is Leah Rhodes-Burch as his mum Margaret. As a mum myself, her performance almost moved me to tears and her natural chemistry and fondness for Jamie suggests that she is probably his honorary mum off stage too. However it was Leah’s stunning, emotion packed vocals on “If I Met Myself Before” and “He’s My Boy” that will stay with me for a long time, as if Elaine Paige had inhabited her for the evening and meaning Leah would not be out of place in the role in a West End production. Her duet “My Man, Your Boy” was also my favourite vocal performance of the evening from Ben.
Jamie is not the only drag queen on stage and for everyone who is brave enough to go on their journey I hope that they have someone with the voice, attitude and thoughtfulness of Mark Harris as Hugo / Loco Chanelle to guide them. After their number “The Legend Of Loco Chanelle” they could easily get a job as a professional lounge singer and I would happily be front row in their audience. Alongside Loco Chanelle, Laika Virgin (Chris Barker), Tray Sophisticay (Joe White) and Sandra Bollock (Andy Hibbert) brought the classic art of drag to a next generation achieving what the likes of “Priscilla” and “Kinky Boots” have done before (all of their previous roles in drag have definitely pulled off).
Other cast members who deserve a special mention include Rania Hoez as Jamie’s best friend Pritti Pasha, her portray reminds you that we are all different and trying to find out place in the world and her connection with Jamie makes you wish she was your best friend through high school. Her musical numbers “Spotlight” and “It Means Beautiful” felt heartfelt and genuine. On the subject of Jamie’s class mates Ollie Walker as Dean Paxton could easily use his performance as an audition to get a role as the next school bully in Hollyoaks. Louise Walker as Margaret’s best friend and Jamie’s honorary auntie Ray, whose friendship with the two characters shone through and onscreen presence and chemistry almost outshone Jamie’s. And finally, Josh Holiday as Jamie’s dad, who brought the angry and confused working class father that is a staple in British films to life (think the likes of Billy’s father in “Billy Elliott”). Once the curtain falls we hope he can finally appreciate how amazing his son is and what an honour it is to be his father.
But this is not just a show about individual cast members but about the whole ensemble and this was an ensemble that looked like they enjoyed every minute of being part of the show and being together. Both the act one and act two opening numbers “And You Don’t Even Know It” and “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” were full of passion, attitude and confidence from the entire ensemble combined with crisp, sharp and fun choreography thanks to Aggie Gryszel and gleeful, passionate and strong voices. On the subject of Aggie’s choreography, the choreography through was faultless but my favourite moments were the contemporary dance capturing Margaret’s youth and her memories of it in “If I Met Myself Again” and the subtle cup song hidden in the background of “Spotlight”.
Off stage I have to praise directors James Parkin and Kate Parkin for getting the best out of the cast and bringing the show to life; the musical director Lane Ledwood and their band for beautifully with attitude bringing the musical numbers and instrumental sections to life; everyone involved in the set design (including the late Pete Miles) and lighting for capturing the contemporary urban feel and the scene transitions that maintained the show is all about the characters; and in a show all about glamour and glitter everyone involved in wardrobe, make up and wigs.
Everyone’s Talking About Jamie is a show musical theatre fans in Sheffield will definitely be talking about this week and should not be missed by fans of musicals, drag and the feel good British films this country is great at and I can’t imagine any local company that could pull it off better than Splinters.
