Everybody’s Talking About Jamie - UK Tour & Peacock Theatre

I went tonight at the Lowry in Salford, and it was excellent!

You can say what you like about Layton Williams, but he certainly is a gifted performer!

Shane Richie and Shobna Gulati were brilliant too, with great comedic timing.

Amy Ellen Richardson's rendition of He's My Boy was very emotional and gave me goosebumps.

The whole cast and band were great!

There were quite a few people at stagedoor - I didn't go close, but apparently there was a sign stating the cast would not stop for pictures and autographs. Layton came to the door and gave a lovely little speech thanking everyone. He came across as quite endearing.

While that is great, it will just encourage more people to go along.

Well that’s a different show to the “brilliant original” I saw in Sheffield. Cast were fine, Shane Richie was off (unscheduled according to the website) and I’m not sure who we had instead but he was great. Margaret was great, Shobna Gulati’s Ray was great, even ‘ickle George Sampson made a decent bully. So who wasn’t great? 
Dear oh dear Layton Williams. Weak vocals from the outset, I actually thought there was something wrong… maybe there was but in that case don’t go on. Weak, weak, weak. He certainly camps up the acting but it was pretty OTT and lacking in vulnerability and I’m afraid after seeing John McRae he was a huge disappointment. The staging also lost the impact of being on the Crucible’s huge thrust. The band sounded underpowered. It all felt a bit low budget and meh. 
Looking forward to the film now. 

2 groups groups of friends saw it today they don’t know each other .... and both text me today and both said not impressed. By the lad playing Jamie ... very weak voice ... I see it soon I wouldn’t mind seeing alternate Jamie 🤔

Because he is British, black and very openly gay. People just think that is like the most ground-breaking thing ever, omigod! Personally, I don't get the impression that he does work that hard. I think he just thinks that the world owes him everything, just for breathing and existing. Ugh. I can't stand him. 

Second half improved .. didn’t get programme but I’m sure some of the cast I’ve seen this year in the west end ... George as dean was ok ....
Layton picked up but doesn’t sing too much in second half ... audience lapped him up though never heard such a cheer for any Jamie I’ve seen
Stayed for Q&A. Layton came on apologised he had to catch his train ... did answer one question apologied that he had a rough show and left .
Lots of lines and jokes were lost ... drag queens had swapped lines etc
Young loco was Called Lilka virgin tonight ? But played by tray .... who tonight did likas lines but did still play young loco very odd
One of my fave lines during limited addition “rude “ was changed to that my agent calling ? Got no laughs
Shane was fab as loco really lifted every time he was on and Shobna
Miss hedge was good Margaret nailed he’s my boy very sad didn’t feel the show tonight first time I’ve never stood up at the end

Here tonight in Bristol seeing the evening show just after the matinee too - Layton is clearly struggling, even apologising to other cast members.. lots of sniffing and strained voice - hoping all is ok

Layton has been “off” vocally for weeks it would seem. If he’s not up to it due to a health problem or whatever he should just take some time off and recover. If he thinks he’s doing anyone a favour offering a sub standard performance he’s wrong. I wish the understudy had been on when I saw it. 

agreeing on the virus jokes, one or two are funny and in context, showing how relevant the story is, but the others feel forced

He picked it up slightly in act 2, but showed distress / eye wiping as the show started - potentially relating to Jamie’s character but most likely Layton’s personal health struggles … was fully expecting a Jamie swap
UITUW worked great with the raspiness, however Mimi Me sounded deeper than her Dad ..
also to note , Amy Ellen is immaculate and Shane is surprisingly good at Hugo

I felt exactly the same In Wolverhampton seen the show live 7 times and that was the first time I came away underwhelmed really spoiled it for me

Cast sickness is quite common, especially in a touring show that requires a lot of movement between cities where actors may want to browse in public .. so I wouldn’t put it down to the fact that he’s ill is because he’s not fit for the role - albeit the high notes for several songs are non-existent, but that’s possibly just Layton’s vocal range. Yesterday, you could see him struggling throughout which sadly changed the show for me a bit. Dialogue wasn’t natural and he seemed to be bracing himself for the larger numbers
.. Understudies are there for a reason

I never rated Layton even at full health. He could do sass and attitude in spades, but had no vulnerability whatsoever, and Jamie doesn't work without that.