Layton Williams
The North American premiere of the 2017 West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, inspired by Jenny Popplewell’s 2011 TV documentary about Jamie Campbell, has received generally positive review from theater critics. The creative team includes Tom MacRae (books, lyrics), Dan Gillespie Sells (music), Jonathan Butterell (concept, direction), Richard Weeden (music direction), Theo Jamieson (musical supervision), Kate Prince (choreography), Anna Fleischle (sets, costumes), Lucy Carter (lights), Paul Groothuis (sound), and Luke Hall (video). The cast includes Layton Williams (Jamie), Melissa Jacques (Margaret), Hiba Elchikhe (Pritti Pasha), Shobna Gulati (Ray), Roy Haylock (Hugo/Loco), and Gillian Ford (Miss Hedge). Below is the L.A. cast performing a medley of “Wall in My Head,” “And You Don’t Even Know,” and “Out of the Darkness” on The Late Late Show with James Corden. The production plays in Los Angeles at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre through February 20.
https://youtu.be/Oz7h8B4xgjo
Broadway World (Tracey Paleo): There are many critical points one could discourse upon with this production. The writing is clear but not always particularly compelling in and of itself. The musical score even-handed and nice although not explosive. … The set however is its most exciting aspect. The floor-to-ceiling illuminated and flashing panels really give that big-pop-concert feel and essentially the oomph that keeps the transitions from dragging. And you simply cannot beat the acting. … Although the material resonates with a slightly older time period, the teen drama really does put an exclamation point on today’s teenage experience. … It’s a beautiful story to which in some way or other we all can relate. Highly Recommended
Entertainment Weekly (Maureen Lee Lenker): The script … can veer a bit into after-school-special territory, leaning on tropes of intolerance, rigid administrators, and high school bullies a few times too many. … Still, there’s no fault in Williams’ performance. … But if everybody’s talking about Jamie, they should be talking about the supporting cast even more. … Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a glitter-coated tribute to living life loudly and proudly as your truest self, naysayers be damned. … Ironically, the show’s weakest moments often arrive when it tries to peel away the wigs and the bright-blue eyelashes to say something profound. Still, no one can say it’s a drag. B
Los Angeles Times (Charles McNulty): The genial musical wears its heart on its sleeve, and though it’s formulaic and sentimental, the force of good will coming from the stage is hard to resist. … The show is more of a commercial triumph than an artistic one. Agreeably effective rather than original, the musical has a generic score … that lays down an infectious groove without too much concern for lyrical precision. No matter: Familiarity breeds content in a theater audience eager to sway and shed a tear or two. … It’s far from a perfect show, but there’s a reason it’s found favor throughout the world. This heartening tale of extravagant individuality triumphing over claustrophobic conformity is made for the theater.
Theater Mania (Jonas Schwartz): Layton Williams is an unbridled force of nature. … His heartfelt performance, and support from a talented cast, elevate the US tour of this UK hit above its shortcomings. … MacRae’s 2021 screenplay had remedied quite a few problems with the bare-bones libretto. … This production sizzles because of its cast, but if the creators hope to keep this show alive in the future, through regional productions and tours, they may want to incorporate some of the enhancements made for the movie into a revised version of the play. Even with an iconic performer in the role of Jamie, all that is left is a thin play that doesn’t resonate.
Theatrely (Rachel Hsu): Step aside, Six: there’s a new queen in town. Layton Williams makes a regal US debut as the title role in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. … Composer Dan Gillespie Sells has a knack for the catchy, and his score makes way for strutting, dancing, and acrobatic feats in stilettos. But the show’s greatest strength may be how the fun elements all gravitate around a genuine emotional center, where pop gives way to rock and soul. … [The show] sets itself apart by centering effervescent joy. Jamie’s drag is never a punchline — it is beautiful and celebrated. It’s a queer story that is in no way a tragedy. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie preaches love and acceptance, and wants to put a smile on your face while doing so.