Everybody's Talking About Jamie: film premieres in Sheffield TONIGHT
The coming of age musical is adapted from the stage show
Last updated 17th Sep 2021
The film version of the hit musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie is set for its homecoming premiere tonight at Sheffield's Crucible.
Stars Tom Harwood, Lauren Patel and Shobna Gulati will all be taking to the red carpet at around 6pm, along with director Jonathan Butterell and writer Tom Macrae.
Joining them will be Sheffield's Jamie Campbell, the star of the original 2011 documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, which inspired the musical.
The musical also premiered at The Crucible back in 2017.
The film landed on Amazon Prime today, after its initial release was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Director Jonathan Butterell said:
“I am thrilled that our film - the story of taking your place in the world with joy, pride and acceptance - will be winging its way across the world with the Amazon Family. Let’s come together to celebrate the glorious and fabulous uniqueness of each and every one of us.”
Both musical and film are being celebrated for telling a queer coming-of-age story set in Northern England.
Sheffield drag artist Emma Maezin told us:
"Things like Drag Race and Jamie are opening up drag to people to people's minds more than it's every been."
"So I think its a good way forward, a way to make it more mainstream."
"Out of the darkness and into the spotlight is not just for us as performers its for the audience as well."
"People can take a message from this (to) stop worrying about what other people think, if you've got a vision in your mind and something you want to do... the only person stopping you is yourself."
Watch the new trailer for Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Based on a true story, this musical film follows Jamie New, (Max Harwood) a 16-year-old from Sheffield as he takes on his school, his bullies, and his disapproving father (Ralph Ineson) as he decides to go to his school prom in full drag.
Along the way he meets Hugo, (Richard E Grant) a former drag queen once known as Loco Chanelle. With the support of Hugo, Jamie’s best friend Pritti (Lauren Patel), and his mother (Sarah Lancashire) Jamie is able to be his true self.The film tells the story of Jamie New (Harwood) as he gets ready to leave school.
Who's in the film?
This will be the film debuts of Max Harwood and Lauren Patel who will be playing Jamie New and his best friend Pritti respectively. The pair will be staring along with acting veteran Richard E. Grant who will be donning his high heels for the first time as Jamie’s mentor Hugo (AKA Loco Chanelle)
Max Harwood as Jamie New
Max Harwood makes his film debut Jamie New.
Lauren Patel as Pritti
Lauren Patel will also be making her feature film debut as Jamie's best friend Pritti.
Richard E. Grant as Hugo/Loco Chanelle
Actor Richard E. Grant dons the high heels as he plays the role of Hugo AKA Loco Chanelle. Grant has appeared in numerous films most recently Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker.
Sarah Lancashire as Margaret
Sarah Lancashire will be playing the role of Jamie's mother. Sarah is known for her work on Coronation Street as well as Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax which won her Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively.
The Queens
The film also has some iconic British drag queens playing the roles of Hugos friends who help Jamie with his first performance.
Dan Wallace/Anna Phylactic plays Tray Sophistica, Anna is a Manchester Queen known for Channel 4's Drag SOS.
Gareth Joyner/Myra Dubois plays Laika Virgin. Myra is often found in bars around the country reminding people that she's "off the telly" having recently appeared as a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent.
Ola Jide/Son of a Tutu plays Sandra Bollock. Son of a Tutu is regarded as drag royalty and would usually be found at some of London's finest establishments such as the Admiral Duncan and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Shobna Gulati as Ray
Shobna Gulati will be playing Margaret's best friend Ray. You may recognise Shobna from Coronation Street or recently in Doctor Who. She also played the role of Ray in the West End production.
Adeel Akhtar as Iman Massood
Adeel Akhtar will be playing the role of Iman Massood, who we don't know anything about yet as this character doesn't exist in the stage production. Adeel has appeared in many well know films and TV shows such as Four Lions, Killing Eve, and the Les Misérables TV series.
Sharon Horgan as Miss Hedge
Sharon Horgan will be playing Jamie's not-so-supportive teacher Miss Hedge. She is known for Catastrophe as well as lending her voice to Netflix's Disenchantment.
Ralph Ineson as Wayne New
Ralph Ineson will be playing Jamie's disapproving father, Wayne. Ralph has made numerous appearances in film and TV including Guardians of the Galaxy, Chernobyl, and Game of Thrones and The Office.
John McCrea as Young Hugo
John McCrea returns to the world of Everybody's Talking About Jamie to play a younger version of Hugo. John originated the role of Jamie when the production opened in Sheffield and continued in the role for the original West End cast.