Everybody's Talking About Jamie: Everything we know about the hit musical 👠
He's coming out hard and he's giving 'em hell
Last updated 20th May 2021
Since opening in Sheffield back in 2017, Everybody's Talking About Jamie has quickly become a beloved musical. Now the first musical to re-open on the West End following the Coronavirus pandemic, Everybody's Talking About Jamie continues as a powerful story of resilience.
Here we will dive into all you need to know about the UK's most fabulous musical, with information about the story, the cast and how you can see the show on the West End and on tour.
What's Everybody's Talking About Jamie about?
The musical is loosely based on the true story of Jamie Campbell, a teenager who took on his school who objected to his plans to attend his school prom in drag. The story was covered in a short BBC documentary called Jamie: Drag Queen at 16.
In this version, Jamie New is obviously different when compared with his less flamboyant classmates. His ambitions to be a drag queen are consistently shot down by his teacher Miss Hedge. Despite these oppositions, Jamie has the support of his mother and his best friend Pritti.
When searching for some new drag attire at Victor's Secret, Jamie meets the shop owner called Hugo, who is also known as the legendary Loco Chanelle. With the help of local queens, Sandra Bollock, Tray Sophisticay, and Laika Virgin, Hugo helps prepare Jamie for his first show in drag, and Jamie's new drag persona, Mimi Me is born.
Jamie plans to head to his school prom in drag, much to the objection of Miss Hedge as well as his father, who calls him disgusting. Despite this fierce opposition, Jamie is eventually able to overcome his critics and dons a dress and heels to prom.
Who wrote Everybody's Talking About Jamie?
The book and lyrics of Everybody's Talking about Jamie were written by playwright and television writer, Tom MacRae. Tom's other work includes creating the sitcom 'Threesome' for Comedy Central UK, he also penned the episodes that marked the return of the Cybermen in the Doctor Who reboot back in 2006.
The music was written by Dan Gillespie Sells who is best known as the frontman for the rock band The Feeling. The musical includes some fantastic numbers such as 'You don't Even Know It', 'The Wall in My Head', and 'He's My boy'.
Who directed Everybody's Talking About Jamie?
The musical was directed by director and choreographer Jonathan Butterell. Jonathan's choreographed productions such as Company at the Donmar Warehouse, as well as Broadway revivals of Nine in 2003, and Fiddler on the Roof in 2004.
Will there be a film adaptation of Everybody's Talking About Jamie?
Yes there will! A film adaptation is scheduled to be released later this year and will star Max Harwood in the titular role. The film also stars Sarah Lancashire and Richard E. Grant.
Has Everybody's Talking About Jamie won any awards?
The show was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, and Best Actress in a Musical. Sadly, the show didn't take home any awards in a ceremony that was dominated by the West End arrival of Hamilton.
The show did fare better at the WhatsOnStage Awards, where they won three out of four awards that they were nominated for including Best Musical and Best Actor in a musical for original Jamie, John McCrea.
Who's in the West End cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie?
Noah Thomas as Jamie New
Noah is a 3rd year student at Mountview Academy, his credits whilst in training include Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys & Dolls, Flick in Violet, and Motel in Fiddler on the Roof.
Melissa Jaques as Margaret New
Melissa has appeared in various productions on the West End including Kinky boots, Wicked, and Mamma Mia! Melissa has also appeared in Company and Into the Woods at the Derby Playhouse, and the UK tour of the Full Monty.
Shane Richie as Hugo/Loco Chanelle
Shane returns to the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle after playing the role back in February 2019. He is best known for his time playing Alfie Moon on EastEnders and his recent appearance on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! However he has also appeared in DreamWorks' Flushed Away, E4's Skins, and ITV's Benidorm.
Shane's other theatre work includes Grease and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Sejal Keshwala as Ray
Sejal's theatre credits include Bend it Like Beckham on the West End, Anita and Me at Birmingham Rep, Trident Rep at the Finborough Theatre, and the My Fair Lady 60th Anniversary Concert.
Hiba Elchikhe as Pritti Pasha
Hiba's theatre credits include Brooklyn in Brooklyn the Musical at the Greenwich Theatre, Fiver at the Southwark Playhouse, Antony & Cleopatra at the National Theatre and Princess Jasmine in the Australian production of Disney's Aladdin.
Marlon G. Day as Jamie's Dad
Marlon has appeared as Les in Bouncers at the Liverpool Royal Court, History in Patience at the Bush Theatre, Lloyd in Meat at the Albany Theatre, Henry Ross in Harriet Tubman, and Leonardo in Blood Wedding at the Southwark Playhouse.
The musical also stars Gillian Ford (Mamma Mia! UK tour) as Miss Hedge, James Gillan as Tray Sophisticay, Garry Lee as Sandra Bollock, and David O'Reiley as Laika Virgin.
Also appearing in the West End production is Jordan Ricketts, Alexander Archer, Zion Battles, Zahra Jones, Keenan Knight, and Emily Kenwright, Kieran McGinn, Harriet Payne, Rachel Seiran, Adam Taylor, Ebony Clarke, and Joel Wolstenholme.
Where can I see Everybody's Talking About Jamie in the West End?
The London home of Everybody's Talking About Jamie is the Apollo Theatre which is located on Shaftesbury Avenue right next to the Lyric Theatre which currently home to Six the musical.
How can I get tickets for Everybody's Talking About Jamie in London?
Performances for the West End production of Everybody's Talking About Jamie run Tuesday to Sunday at 7:30pm along with matinee performances at 2:30pm on Saturday and Sundays. The show is booking until 29th August for the West End production.
Tickets start at £20 and can be purchased by calling 0330 333 4809 or by booking online. Phone lines are open 9am to 9pm, seven days a week. For access performances you can call 0330 333 4815 or email access@nimaxtheatres.com, further access information can be found on the Everybody's Talking About Jamie website.
Is Everybody's Talking About Jamie going on tour?
It is indeed, Everybody's Talking About Jamie will be heading on a 2021/2022 UK tour with Layton Williams returning to the role of Jamie New.
Where can I see Everybody's Talking About Jamie on tour?
The UK tour will open in Salford on 1st September 2021, the tour will then be visiting Birmingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Canterbury, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Liverpool, Hull, Brighton, Southampton, Nottingham, Norwich, Belfast, Woking, Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Milton Keynes.
Meet the cast of the Everybody's Talking About Jamie tour:
Layton Williams as Jamie New
Layton will be back as Jamie New for the UK tour having already played the role in the West End. Layton's career began when he played Billy in the West End production of Billy Elliot. His other theatre credits include Seaweed in the UK tour of Hairspray, and Angel in Rent. You may have also seen Layton in the BBC comedy series Bad Education.
Amy Ellen Richardson as Margaret New
Amy's West End Credits include The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 & 3/4, Sweet Charity, Spamalot, and Les Misérables. She also appeared in Kiss Me Kate at the Sheffield Crucible, and Sweet Charity at the Nottingham Playhouse.
Shane Richie as Hugo/Loco Chanelle
As well as appearing in the West End cast Shane will be joining the UK tour too!
Shane will not be appearing in Liverpool, Hull, Brighton or Southampton.
Roy Haylock/Bianca Del Rio as Hugo/Loco Chanelle
Roy is widely known by his drag name of Bianca Del Rio, who won the sixth season of the US series of RuPaul's Drag Race. This will be Roy's third time in the role after two runs as Hugo in the West End production.
Roy/Bianca will only be appearing as Hugo/Loco Chanelle in Liverpool, Hull, Brighton, & Southampton.
Shobna Gulati as Ray
Shobna has also played the Role of Ray in the West End production of Everybody's Talking About Jamie and will also play the character in the upcoming film adaptation.
Her other theatre credits include Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith, Grease at the Leicester Curve and the Mamma Mia international tour.
Lara Denning as Miss Hedge
Lara's West End credits include The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 & 3/4, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She also appeared in Scrooge the Musical at the Leicester Curve.
George Sampson as Dean
George rose to fame when he won Britain's Got Talent back in 2008. Since BGT, he's performed in numerous dance shows including Into the Hoods, as well as the dance films Street Dance 3D and Street Dance 2.
His theatre credits include Our House, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel.
Sharan Phull as Pritti Pasha
Sharan has appeared in Bend it Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest at the Curve Theatre, and Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth at the National Theatre.
The UK tour also stars Cameron Johnson as Jamie's Dad, Garry Lee as Sandra Bollock, John Paul McCue/Mary Mac as Laika Virgin, and Rhys Taylor as Tray Sophisticay.
Also in the cast are Ellis Brownhill, Simeon Beckett, Talia Palamathanan, Kazmin Borrer, Richard Appiah-Sarpong, Jessica Meegan, Adam Taylor, Emma Robotham-Hunt, and Alex Hetherington
How can I get tickets for the Everybody's Talking About Jamie UK tour?
You can check out full venue information and how to get tickets from the official Everybody's Talking About Jamie tour page.
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