Overview
Synopsis
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. However, Jamie is a little different to the other teenagers at his school. He harbors a secret dream: to be a drag queen! But first, he needs to find the confidence to be his true self beyond the walls of his home. Although Jamie is terrified about the future, he knows that, one way or another, he will be a sensation. He is supported every step of the way by his loving mum, Margaret, who would do anything for her boy. She tries to protect Jamie by keeping the truth about his father’s absence a secret, a decision that threatens her close-knit bond with her son. He also has the love and support of his best friend, Pritti, who reassures Jamie that his difference is what makes him beautiful. Despite the bullying, the prejudice, and the public humiliation, Jamie learns to embrace his inner queen--named Mimi Me--and step into the spotlight...his spotlight.
Show Information
- Book
- Tom MacRae
- Music
- Dan Gillespie Sells
- Lyrics
- Tom MacRae
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 by Jenny Popplewell
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2017
- Genres
- Comedy, Drama
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Contemporary
- Time & Place
- Parson Cross (a working class area of Sheffield), England, Present Day
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is inspired by the 2011 television documentary, Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, which followed the real-life story of sixteen year-old Jamie Campbell. The musical premiered at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in February 2017 for a short month-long run. It then transferred to the West End, opening at the Apollo Theatre in November 2017. In addition to the West End production, a UK tour began in February 2020. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is due to embark upon an
to read the context for Everybody's Talking About Jamie and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The year 11 students are in the middle of their final careers lesson at Mayfield School in Sheffield. Their teacher, Miss Hedge, is (unsuccessfully) trying to hold the students’ attention, but they are more interested in chatting about what they’re doing on Friday night. Miss Hedge wants them to realize they need to have realistic expectations about what they will do after they leave school One student, Pritti, declares that she wants to be a doctor but none of the rest of the
to read the plot for Everybody's Talking About Jamie and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone, Baritone, Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass-Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
Act One
-
"And You Don't Even Know It" – Jamie, Miss Hedge & Year 11
-
"The Wall in My Head" – Jamie
-
"Spotlight" – Pritti & Year 11 girls
-
"Spotlight (Reprise) (Star of the Show)" – Jamie & Pritti
-
"The Legend of Loco Chanelle (and the Blood Red Dress)" – Hugo & the Legs Eleven Girls
-
"The Legend of Loco Chanelle (and the Blood Red Dress)" (Reprise) – Hugo
-
"If I Met Myself Again" – Margaret
-
"Work of Art" – Miss Hedge, Jamie, Dean & Year 11
-
"Over the Top" – Hugo & the Legs Eleven Girls
Act Two
-
"Everybody's Talking About Jamie" – Year 11
-
"Limited Edition Prom Night Special" – Jamie, Ray & Margaret
-
"It Means Beautiful" – Pritti
-
"It Means Beautiful" (Reprise) – Pritti
-
"Ugly in This Ugly World" – Jamie
-
"He's My Boy" – Margaret
-
"And You Don't Even Know It (Bus Station Reprise)" – Jamie
-
"My Man, Your Boy" – Jamie & Margaret
-
"The Prom Song" – Year 11
-
"Finale" – Company
-
"Out of the Darkness (A Place Where We Belong)" – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher