Finding Jamie
Reviewed by Arthur Bullock
The vibe of Finding Jamie is “lost and found.”
There are many different ways to begin a story, and all of them can be done well in the
hands of a skilled storyteller. This story begins by questioning itself — what kind of story
is it, and when exactly does it begin? It offers multiple possibilities, but no concrete
answers, because all of them are correct from a certain point of view.
It does all this, and it does it well. Finding Jamie is an exceptional performance.
The sole performer, Zac Williams, is a highly engaging storyteller. He does a great job
of setting the scene, and portraying two or more sides of a conversation all at once.
From his words alone, you can easily picture where the main character is, what he’s
doing there, and who — if anyone — he’s talking to. It’s impressive that one man talking
to himself can create a conversation that sounds so real.
He weaves jokes seamlessly into the script; people definitely notice them and laugh, but
it’s much smoother and subtler than an in-your-face punchline. He tells a story that
flows well, and the humour comes naturally from there, the way that it does in the funny
moments of our lives.
It’s not just a funny story, though. It’s also heartfelt and emotional; it knows when to be
silly, and when to be more serious. It’s a life’s story, designed to make you laugh and
cry, just like life itself. It’s a show that can truly be enjoyed by almost anyone, so I’d
definitely recommend it.
Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)
Warnings: None
Venue: The Staircase | Elaine May
Genre: Theatre—Comedy
Writer & Performer
Zac Williams
