By Jenny Whitaker 

Whitehaven Theatre Group’s bold production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will light up the Solway Hall with glitter, grit, and glorious talent this week.

The show, directed by Cassie McClusky is already beloved for its infectious score and empowering message, and has been given a thrilling new life by Whitehaven Theatre Group.

At the heart of it all is an absolutely magnetic performance from Ross Bickerdike as the teenager, Jamie New.

Bickerdike delivers a star turn as the teen drag queen-in-the-making, capturing Jamie’s vulnerability with a presence that is both tender and electric.

From the aching honesty of “Wall in My Head” to the sheer joy of “Work of Art,” he commands the stage with effortless charisma. 

The choreography, under the direction of Scarlett Todhunter and Emily Morton, is insanely imaginative—fresh, fearless, and always perfectly in sync with the up beat soundtrack.

Numbers like “Don’t Even Know It” and “Everybody’s talking about Jamie ” pulse with energy, attitude, and sharp movement that transforms the stage into a living, breathing character of its own. 

Another highlight of the show is the moving and nuanced performance by Kayleigh Donald as Margaret New.

In a role that demands emotional depth and restraint, she is simply stunning.

Her rendition of “He’s My Boy” is bound to bring the audience to absolute silence, then tears, as she pours every ounce of a mother’s love, pride, and heartbreak into the moment.

The chemistry between Bickerdike and Donald is utterly convincing—their scenes together are so authentic, giving the show its emotional core. 

The set is cleverly versatile, shifting between scenes with fluidity and flair. From classroom desks to drag dressing rooms, each location was vividly brought to life with smart design choices and bold lighting that underscored the emotional highs and lows. 

The supporting cast are equally commendable, offering strong vocals and character work that adds both humour and heart. A particular comedic mention to Grant Tebay and his entourage of drag queens- they own the stage with power and sass, all the while guiding Jamie into a brand new world of drag with such patience. 

Whitehaven Theatre Group has clearly poured passion into this production, and the result is an emotional thought provoking show to treat the people of Whitehaven. It’s not just a performance—it’s a celebration not to be missed. 

The show runs until Saturday, April 26, with limited tickets available. Get yours here.