Film Adaptation of the Award-Winning Hit Musical will Premiere on September 17, 2021
Starring Max Harwood, Sarah Lancashire, Lauren Patel, Shobna Gulati, Ralph Ineson, Adeel Akhtar, Samuel Bottomley, with Sharon Horgan and Richard E. Grant
West End hit 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie', inspired by the real life story of Jamie Campbell, and based on Firecracker's documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, is to be made into a film.
The much anticipated film adaptation of the award-winning West End hit musical, will launch exclusively on Prime Video on September 17, 2021 in over 240 countries and territories. The film, from New Regency and Film4, stars the breakout discovery Max Harwood as Jamie New, alongside Sarah Lancashire, Lauren Patel,Shobna Gulati, Ralph Ineson, Adeel Akhtar, Samuel Bottomley, with Sharon Horgan and Richard E. Grant. Additionally, the stage production of “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” joyfully reopens in London’s Apollo Theatre today 20th May.
Inspired by true events, Everybody's Talking About Jamie follows Jamie New (Harwood), a teenager from Sheffield, who dreams of life on stage. While his classmates plan their livelihoods after they leave school, Jamie contemplates revealing his secret career ambition to become a fierce and proud drag queen. His best friend Pritti (Patel) and his loving mum (Lancashire) shower him with endless support, while local drag legend Miss Loco Chanelle (Grant) mentors him toward his debut stage performance. But Jamie also has to contend with an unsupportive father (Ineson), an uninspired careers advisor (Horgan), and some ignorant school kids who attempt to rain on his sensational parade. In rousing and colourful musical numbers, Jamie and his community inspire one another to overcome prejudice, be more accepting, and to step out of the darkness into the spotlight.
“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has quickly become one the most loved musicals of recent years” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Jamie’s story is one that resonates across audiences of all generations – it’s about family, friendship and finding yourself. There’s a little bit of Jamie in all of us, and we are so thrilled to share his story with the world.”
Director Jonathan Butterell, who directed the original stage musical as well, added, “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.”
The film features hit songs including ‘And You Don’t Even Know It’, ‘The Wall In My Head’ and ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ as well as an exclusive new song ‘This Was Me’, performed by Holly Johnson, lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’s stage production's director, Jonathan Butterell, makes his feature-film debut as director, with screenplay and lyrics by Tom MacRae, songs by Dan Gillespie Sells and a score composed by Sells and Anne Dudley. Mark Herbert, p.g.a., Peter Carlton,p.g.a., and Arnon Milchan are producing, with Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann,Daniel Battsek, Ollie Madden, Peter Balm, Niall Shamma and Jes Wilkins serving as executive producers.
The original musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has quickly become one the most beloved musicals of recent years. Premiering at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, before transferring to London’s Apollo Theatre, the production was an overnight success amongst audiences and critics, receiving rave reviews and garnering five Olivier Award nominations. The show was also honoured at the UK Theatre Awards with Best Musical Production, with its star John McCrea named Best Musical Performer. The stage show will reopen its doors this evening at the Apollo Theatre – the first musical in the West End to do so - before going on a UK tour.
Prime members will be able to watch Everybody’s Talking About Jamie anywhere and anytime on Prime Video.