Teen drag queen musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie to get film adaptation
John McCrea (Photo: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie)
Hit West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is to become a movie.
The musical, created by The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie Sells, is based on the true story of 16-year-old Jamie New, who wants to fulfil his dream of becoming a drag queen.
Following the massive success of the show’s West End run, it was today announced that work is underway on a fully-fledged movie musical adaptation.
John McCrea with the cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
The show confirmed: “The rumours are true! We are beyond excited to announce that [the show] is being made into a film by the FAB Warp Films!”
No casting has been announced for the film, and it’s unclear if the West End cast led by John McCrea will reprise their roles.
The show will also be extending its West End run until April 2019.
John McCrea (Photo: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie)
The musical’s writers Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae will work on the adaptation, as will director Jonathan Butterell.
It is being developed in conjunction with Film4.
Filming is expected to begin in spring 2019.
John McCrea with the cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Fans outside London won’t have to wait that long to see the show hit the big screens, however.
A special event on July 5 will see the original stage show screened live to 510 cinemas across the country.
The show itself was originally based on BBC documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, which told the real story of schoolboy Jamie Campbell.
Campbell said: “All I originally wanted was to go to my school prom in a dress. Then Firecracker made the documentary.
“My story then inspired a West End musical. Now it’s a film! It’s incredible. Even I couldn’t have dreamed it.”
John McCrea with the cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Butterell said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled that Warp are producing the film of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
“We were inspired by Jamie Campbell to tell this open-hearted story of a boy looking to take his place in the world without shame or prejudice, supported by the unflinching love of his mum.
“Warp Films, like Sheffield, the city in which they were founded, reflect the diverse and vibrant city that we chose to set our story in. For me it’s a coming home.”
John McCrea with the cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Johan Persson)
Warp Films’ Mark Herbert said: “Everyone at Warp Films went to see the show [when it first opened] in Sheffield and instantly fell in love with it.
“Two weeks later Jonathan, the director, and Dan, the composer, were sat in our Sheffield offices talking about how we could adapt the show into a film.
“It ticks every box for a Warp film: a great central character; diversity at its core; and a massive amount of heart. We can’t wait to start.”
