Have you heard? Everybody is talking about the amazing show that hit the Fringe a couple of days ago. Forth Children’s Theatre has returned to the Edinburgh Fringe this year after last year’s incredible production of The Addams Family – A New Musical with Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Teen Edition at Broughton High School, intending to absolutely slay the house down.
This cast is full of stars in the making
With a book and lyrics by Tom Macrae, this story follows a boy named Jamie (played by the amazing Sam Carlin). All Jamie wants to do is become a drag queen, which is not quite as easy as it sounds, especially when you’re only sixteen years old and from Sheffield.
Directed by Debs Anderson, this cast, all aged 12 to 18, presents this two-and-a-half-hour musical to a very high standard. It is evident that musical director, Falk Meier, worked closely with the cast and musicians to get as close as possible to the music Dan Gillespie Sells wrote for this show. As for the choreography by Taylor Doig, where do I even start? Doig presented choreography that helps explain emotions and the plot using the best of the students’ abilities. It is clear how Doig adapted their choreography, with hints from the West End production, to showcase everyone’s strengths.
The level of detail in the lighting, designed by Callum Farrell and Andy Johnston, struck me. Most, if not all, of the actors hit their marks on stage, allowing the lighting to truly show off the emotions and personal thoughts of the characters. One of my favourite moments has to be He’s My Boy, sung by Margaret, where the lighting, though simplistic, accompanied by Maia Baxter’s amazing voice, sent chills down my spine. Another interesting lighting moment is the Act 2 opening, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, where, even though certain soloists were not heard clearly because of their microphones not being turned up or their notes being a bit too low for their range, I could not resist smiling at the presentation on stage.
As for the teenagers, all of the performers were absolutely brilliant. Harry Aspinall, who played Dean, was amazing at playing the bully of the show. Their acting skills truly shined, especially in the last scene. Maia Baxter’s voice texture is incredible, portraying emotions with remarkable skill for their age. Margaret’s best friend Ray is marvelously played by Eva Sutherland, whose comedic timing, voice, and movements are extraordinary. Hugo, or rather, Loco Chanelle, played by Corin Wake, was absolutely jaw-dropping. Wake made the whole audience burst out with laughter and adore the marvelous human that Hugo is. On the whole, this cast is full of stars in the making.
This show was absolutely marvelous and a spectacle to watch. I will definitely be going back to see more of what Forth Children's Theatre have to offer.
