“Who Do I Think I Am?” Jamie Kenna – PierFest 2022
Jamie Kenna has known for a long time the answer to “who do I think I am?” He just didn’t know he knew. This premiered show at PierFest on the romantic setting of sundown on Brighton Palace Pier told the story of how fame and celebrity are nothing like the answer but love, work, family and showbiz family are most definitely the answer!
Jamie proved this immediately when like Benn or Eubank or the boxer from his role in Peaky Blinders he entered the ring from the back row of the crowd turning all heads as he sang and yelled out Feeling Good & they believed him. Harry Styles couldn’t have got a better reception!
He looked less like Harry and more like Willem Dafoe the archetypal tough guy but tales of his full on mental breakdown soon turned his story from tough to tender in his rise to becoming one of the leading TV actors of his generation. From singing and playing guitar at home to acting a giraffe at drama school ( of course ) to fringe theatre where his greatest achievement was meeting his wife Claire Marlowe, who he duetted with touchingly in this show. Then to West End, Mama Mia and full on versions of those Abba songs with the considerable help of Zoe Doano the star of the West End and Claire Marlowe. Finally after decades of hard work came fame on TV (and film coming soon) all told with wit and humility.
Backed by a hot band with the fab Boyzone rhythm section Jamie illustrated his story with songs. His voice was tough but tender too. Reminded me of Matt Monroe singing From Russia With Love. I liked The Bridges Of Madison song – best known sung by Stephen Pasquale – It All Fades Away But You which Jamie delivered with unmatchable power and emotion and I can see why he and his MD Michael Bradley chose it as it really sums up who he is! Who we all are!
He brought on a whole bunch of young will be stars who brought the house down, Art, Elise, Oscar, Olivia, Jay and Ellie from Theatre Workshop delivered Anything Goes and Fly Me To The Moon in WOW – real showbiz style.
Once upon a time we had actor/singer stars who had their own shows – Cilla and Dusty, and now we got Live Lounge and in USA The Late Show with great modern music from Self Esteem and Harry Styles. Like Harry, Jamie spans the generations from A to Zee with that rare thing loveability! Look out for him on TV on Christmas Day playing one of the baddest guys in literary history but heh don’t be surprised if you love him!
“Who Do I Think I Am”Pierfest…. Brighton Palace Pier
October 8 2022
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