Still, there’s no fault in Williams' performance.
He delivers exactly what is asked of him with a twinkle in his eye and an envious high kick.
Any time he struts across the stage, you’ll have no question who owns it.
Melissa Jacques as Margaret New in ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’.Courtesy of Center Theatre Group/Johan Perssonso
But if everybody’s talking about Jamie, they should be talking about the supporting cast even more.
Melissa Jacques gives Margaret a stolid steadiness that grounds the proceedings in essential ways.
The musical markets itself on its drag glam, but her quietly fierce performance is the true highlight.
The cast of the West End production of ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’.Courtesy of Center Theatre Group/Johan Persson
She’s funny and wry, her brashness and deep loyalty the perfect foil to Margaret’s gentler approach.
She radiates warmth and kindness, offering Jamie a true north.
Then, there is the main attraction: the drag queens.
But the centerpiece is Bianca Del Rio, a.k.a.
Roy Haylock, as Loco Chanelle/Hugo.
Undoubtably, Del Rio is a draw for audiences, so I feared this was stunt casting.
What a delight to be proven wrong!
Haylock moves effortlessly between the more muted role of Hugo and the larger-than-life Loco Chanelle.
In its sparkle, it’s also a welcome escape from reality.
