Presented here by the Watford Palace Theatre Young Company, 'Everybody’s Talking About Jamie' is a smash hit West End musical, later turned into a popular film, inspired by the true life story of schoolboy Jamie who, although already out, comes out a second time by revealing to his astonished peers his dream of being. drag queen. Encouraged by his mother, her best friend Ray and his best friend Pritti, he finds the strength to become his authentic self despite the challenges and put downs of a world which would rather see him quietly conform.
Eva Stone as Miss Hedge cuts an intimidating figure in her high heeled Jimmy Choos and perfectly captures the world weariness of a member of staff who wants the best for her students but has been exhausted by too many years of frustratingly wasted potential. The students all feel individually characterised, creating a wonderfully dizzying sense of chaos and activity in the school scenes. Ria Linares as Pritti and Finlay Murphy as Dean Paxton and especially strong at turning what could have been stereotypical characters (the bookish best friend and the school bully) into fully rounded personalities with convincing final transformations.
A star is born in Kishori Tripathi who plays Ray with vivacious energy and sharp comic timing. Her confidence lights up the stage and brings a infectiously bubbly sense of warmth and fun.
Rowan Elliott is a deadpan delight as Hugo/Loco Chanelle with his bombastically resonant baritone voice and nonchalant delivery. Supported by his trio of backstage drag queens (Laika Virgin played by Rhys Waldrom, Tray Sophisticay by Adam Miles and Sandra Bullock by Henry Futterman), the world of his shop Victor's Secrets and drag club Legs Eleven are brought vividly to life and with great costume design from Laura Hack create a delightful contrast to the world of school uniforms which Jamie hopes to escape from.
The heart of the show, and with the knockout emotional ballad, is Margaret New, Jamie's mum played by Eila Curbishley. Her touchingly stoic manner and sensitive singing voice, when set against the wild colour and frenzy of the drag world, create several movingly tender moments and remind us that although finding the confidence to be individually authentic is one of the show's key themes, so too is the importance of offering love and support to others.
And of course Jamie himself, played brilliantly by Max Coventry, is a dazzling lead. He owns the stage, projecting Jamie's vulnerability and well as his ambition, his shyness as much as his desire to perform. Coventry guides the audience through Jamie‘s emotional journey with a mature confidence and clarity whilst also being lighthearted and playful enough to draw every ounce of comedy from the role.
The entire cast are clearly having such a wonderful time performing this play that they drag the audience (pun intended) into their delightful world of dance and drama with vicious glee. This is the last show of this year's Watford Fringe, and under the direction of James Williams this energetic, enthusiastic production turns what could have been a sad farewell to a month of amazing arts, creativity and culture across our town into a joyfully exuberant celebration of love, life authenticity and belonging. One could not have hoped for a more fitting close to Watford Fringe 2026. Congratulations to the immensely talented young cast of this hugely enjoyable show.
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