As an NSTA representative, I had the pleasure of visiting Bitterne Park School & Sixth Form on Tuesday 18th November 2025 to watch their wonderful production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. This latest musical offering radiated confidence, heart and an infectious sense of pride from start to finish.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie premiered at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield in February 2017, before transferring to the Apollo Theatre from November 2017. The West End production was nominated for five Olivier awards in 2018, including Best New Musical. It follows 16-year-old Jamie, a teenager from Sheffield who dreams of becoming a drag queen. While navigating school bullies, misunderstandings and the complexities of family, Jamie finds unexpected allies who help him step into the spotlight, literally and figuratively. At its core, the musical is a celebration of self-discovery, acceptance, and the courage it takes to live out loud.
Under the vibrant direction of Amymarie Roberts, with thoughtful and detailed assistant direction by Hannah Whalley, the Bitterne Park production captured the joy, grit, and emotional punch of the modern British musical while giving it a deeply authentic, youth-driven edge. With Musical Director Rebecca Fowler guiding a superb ensemble of musicians, and sharp, ambitious choreography by Antonia Grindey and Gemma Mattingly, this was a show that felt polished, purposeful, and bursting with talent.
There were a range of fantastic performances from the leading and supporting cast, whose Sheffield accents throughout were excellent, adding grit and regional identity without ever feeling forced. At the centre of the leading cast was Joshua as Jamie, delivering a performance full of charisma, vulnerability and emotional intelligence. Joshua’s authentic accent, strong physicality and striking command of the stage made his Jamie instantly compelling. His ability to act through song, shifting from bravado to fragility in a heartbeat, showed remarkable craft and maturity. This was a thoroughly impressive leading performance.
As Jamie’s loyal “bestie”, Florence brought Pritti beautifully to life. Her amazing vocal range and emotional sincerity grounded the show, while her portrayal highlighted Pritti’s quiet strength of character and her determined vision for her future place in the world. “Spotlight” and “It Means Beautiful” were genuine showstoppers, delivered with clarity, poise and heartfelt conviction.
Jasmine as Margaret provided the emotional anchor of the production. Her portrayal was layered with defiance, tenderness, and reflective depth, creating a powerful and believable mother–son bond. Her rendition of “He’s My Boy” was nothing short of outstanding, vocally rich and emotionally devastating.
Ruben’s portrayal of Dean was delivered with impressive attack and emotional intelligence, charting a believable journey from thuggish bravado to the insecurity at the character’s core. Meanwhile, Lydia as Miss Hedge brought a fierce blend of authority, frustration and injustice, shaping many of the show’s most thought-provoking moments.
Special mentions must also go to Elodie as Becca and Olivia as Bex, who brought energy, humour and a believable sense of friendship to the world around Jamie and Pritti. Their performances gave the school setting depth and authenticity.
The large ensemble’s presence together highlighted how deeply Bitterne Park values and promotes the performing arts, providing opportunities for an impressively wide range of pupils to be involved. This commitment was especially clear in the size and energy of the ensemble, whose collective enthusiasm added richness, vibrancy, and a genuine sense of community to the production.
The costumes and make-up, designed and executed by Hannah Whalley, Sue Thomas, and Solent University SFX Makeup students, were wonderfully period-appropriate and visually striking. From the school uniforms to the drag looks, every detail enhanced the storytelling and characterisation.
The orchestra, an exciting mix of students, ex-students and professionals, was expertly led by Rebecca Fowler, whose musical direction brought both drive and sensitivity to the score. The balance, energy and professionalism of the band elevated the entire production.
The backstage crew – composed of pupils from the school’s Production Arts course – did a fantastic job ensuring the cast were supported at every moment. Much of the show’s choreography and staging resulted from a genuine collaboration between teachers and students, reflecting the school’s commitment to nurturing creativity and shared ownership of the work. This partnership, both onstage and behind the scenes, contributed to a production the school can be incredibly proud of.
Bitterne Park School & Sixth Form have delivered a truly remarkable production: vibrant, fearless and full of heart. With exceptional performances, confident direction, and a creative team firing on all cylinders, it was a night that celebrated individuality, community and the transformative power of theatre. Everybody should be talking about this Jamie.
National School Theatre Awards
@schooltheatreawards
