‘Everybody’s talking about Jamie’ is a British musical that is based on the BBC3 documentary ‘Jamie: Drag Queen at 16’. The musical tells the real life story of Jamie who wants to wear a dress to his school prom but is told by the school board that if he does so he will not be allowed entry to the end of year event. ‘Everybody’s talking about Jamie’ is a coming of age story about one boy’s struggle to step out of the darkness and become the drag queen he’s always wanted to be, accompanied by the help of his friends, and his group of Drag tutors he meets along the way. The show champions equality for all races, genders and sexualities; helping people realise that they can overcome bullying and prejudice by working together.

The musical was commissioned and opened at the Sheffield Crucible on February 2017. The setting of the musical was thus changed to Sheffield rather than the North-East and Jamie was given the new surname of ‘New’, as well as other changes to the plot and characters. The music was written by Dan Gillespie-Sells of the British band ‘The Feeling’ and the lyrics and book were written by screenwriter Tom MacRae. Jonathan Butterell directed the production with choreography from Kate Prince. After receiving positive reviews in Sheffield, the musical transferred to the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End opening on 6th November 2017. The West end production had scenic and costume design by Anna Fleischle, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Paul Groothuis and Video design by Luke Halls. The showed was critically lauded when it opened in London receiving multiple 5-star reviews from top critics, and quickly finding a strong and resilient fanbase. 

A post Sheffield concept album was released in 2017 followed by an original London cast recording in 2018. The same year the musical was broadcast live to cinemas around the UK and a film adaptation was announced for release in 2020. The film adaption saw newly graduated Max Harwood as Jamie, with Sarah Lancashire as Margaret, Richard E. Grant as Hugo and Shobna Gulati as Ray, a role she took over in the West End Production. The musical began a UK tour in February 2020 with both Layton Williams and Shane Richie reprising their respective roles of Jamie and Hugo from the London Production. However, like the London production the UK tour has also been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as has the release of the feature film which has been pushed back to 2021.

‘Everybody’s talking about Jamie’ is a story of love, acceptance and personal growth; and in this current climate sometimes we all just need to slap on a new face, a pair of heels and dance our troubles away!

Cast recording is available on AppleMusic and Spotify, 

FACTS:

Music: Dan Gillespie-Sells
Lyrics: Tom MacRae
Book: Tom MacRae

Theatre: The Apollo Theatre
Run: November 8th 2017 – Present (Suspended because of West End lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic)

OLIVIERS

(NOMINATED) Best new musical, Best actress in a musical – Josie Walker, Best theatre choreographer – Katie Prince, Best actor in a musical – John McCrea, Outstanding achievement in music – Dan Gillespie-Sells

WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

(NOMINATED) Best actress in a musical – Josie Walker

(WON) Best new musical, Best actor in a musical – John McCrea, Best supporting actress in a musical – Lucie Shorthouse