Bucks &amp; Oxon

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="665" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0245_RT2-665x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153927" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0245_RT2-665x1000.jpg 665w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0245_RT2-532x800.jpg 532w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0245_RT2-266x400.jpg 266w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0245_RT2-349x525.jpg 349w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0245_RT2.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 665px) 100vw, 665px" /></figure>



First a documentary, then a stage production and in between it an A-lister movie, this coming-of-age story of Jamie New has landed in Oxford this week and Muddy&#8217;s been, seen and reporting back! 



The production is lively from the off, a rabble of Year 11s charging onto stage and rattling the desks to the beat of a catchy pop tune (the score was written by The Feeling&#8216;s Dan Gillespie). Their humourless teacher tells Jamie that he&#8217;s destined to be a forklift truck driver, but Jamie has a secret ambition that goes far beyond the gritty industrial backdrop of Sheffield&#8217;s inner city &#8211; he wants to be a drag queen. 



&#8220;Get real,&#8221; she says, smashing his dream and thundering them into And You Don&#8217;t Even Know It, the first of a fiesta of rip-roaring song and dance numbers that keeps the audience buzzing through this high energy riot of a night. 



The desks clatter as they&#8217;re swivelled and rattled and leapt on and over in choreography that matches the pace. Throughout, the dance numbers are a highlight, with street dance, hip hop and a section of modern dance showcasing the ability of what at first appears to be a pretty average looking bunch of teenagers. Their dull school uniforms only further this vision of the ordinary world that Jamie is battling to rise out of.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_8727_RT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153931" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_8727_RT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_8727_RT-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_8727_RT-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_8727_RT-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



In fact, the costumes throughout are very real &#8211; one of the most spine-tingling numbers, He&#8217;s My Boy, is delivered by Jamie&#8217;s endlessly supportive Mum, Margaret, played by Rebecca McKinnis, and sung exceptionally at front of stage in joggers and a sweatshirt. When Jamie enters the glitter and glamour of a drag fashion shop owned by the now-retired drag queen Loco Chanelle, played with humour and energy by Darren Day, it&#8217;s a stark contrast to the grey outside and backdrop of Sheffield terraces.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9657_RT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153922" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9657_RT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9657_RT-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9657_RT-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9657_RT-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



With a simple double-height stage set-up the switch between classroom, Jamie&#8217;s kitchen and the drag scene is achieved effectively with minimal lighting and set pieces, moved seamlessly by the cast of Year 11s who dance and act as they switch out benches and slide on sets, although it&#8217;s not totally clear why in one of the numbers, their uniform switches from blue to grey then back again for the remainder &#8211; perhaps it&#8217;s symbolic of the dowdy life he&#8217;s trying to leave behind.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0299_RT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153924" style="aspect-ratio:1.5037593984962405;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0299_RT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0299_RT-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0299_RT-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0299_RT-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The show tackles pervasive themes of acceptance, parental rejection, bullying, self confidence, religion and identity with sensitivity but also humour &#8211; it&#8217;s something of a relief that it didn&#8217;t need to tiptoe around the sensitive issue of gender and sexuality but could tackle it with a thoroughly teenage handling &#8211; brash, shouty and hilarious. This isn&#8217;t one for younger kids though &#8211; there&#8217;s the f-word from the outset, something that adds to the realism of it all and the comedy. Speaking of which, one of the stand-out characters is Ray, best friend to Jamie&#8217;s Mum and played by Shobna Gulati (ex Corrie and Hullraisers) whose comic timing and uncensored outbursts are a barrel of laughs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0380_RT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0380_RT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0380_RT-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0380_RT-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0380_RT-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



When Jamie finally makes his drag queen debut spurred on by Darren Day, rocking a massive red wig and donning sequins from head to toe with three of his aged drag queen pals, we&#8217;re just given the slightest hint of what Jamie is capable of, until the end for the big reveal and the question of whether he can face his classmates at the prom wearing a dress.



Other aspects of the storyline are well handled too &#8211; the relationship with the narrow-minded father (boo&#8217;d by the supercharged audience at the final curtain), and it&#8217;s not all happy endings. *Spoiler alert* He never comes around, though the stiff teacher, who herself has a penchant for high heels, eventually sees the light. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9995_RT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153923" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9995_RT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9995_RT-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9995_RT-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_9995_RT-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The second half is more poignant than the first, the relationships of the cast developing to give the actors more to get stuck into and you feel genuine empathy for Jamie&#8217;s Mum when the wounded teenager lashes out at her.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0603_RT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153930" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0603_RT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0603_RT-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0603_RT-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA2_MattCrockett_0603_RT-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The reprisals post interval give the show a satisfying closure and it finishes with a carnival of drag, the whole cast coming together for a final dance number and then ending with the spotlight on Jamie with his caramel voice and sashay.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0413_RT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153920" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0413_RT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0413_RT-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0413_RT-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/JA1_MattCrockett_0413_RT-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



While at times Jamie isn&#8217;t the most likeable character &#8211; his brainy best friend tells him how self-centred he is at one point &#8211; you find yourself rooting for him if not just to beat the bully, Dean Paxton, who has a pleasing comeuppance right at the end.



With spot-on vocals, smooth stage production and a clutch of young talent, this pacy, sweary teen tale is a a real riot &#8211; the perfect antidote to grey skies and festive schmaltz. 



Everybody&#8217;s Talking about Jamie is at <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Theatre Oxford</a> 12 &#8211; 30 Dec. Tickets from £13.



Reviewer: Ginny Light, Associate Editor

Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Oxford’s New Theatre

You may also like