…..SoSuterBill…..

……BY BILLY SUTER……

AN EXUBERANT, uplifting show based on a true story – and which started life as a BBC documentary before being turned into a hit stage musical that premiered in 2017 in Sheffield then London’s West End – has its South African premiere in Cape Town in July.

It’s the thoroughly delightful Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, to be presented, for a strictly limited season, by Delia Sainsbury’s Waterfront Theatre School from July 9 to 19 at the Artscape Arena in Cape Town. Tickets cost R200 throughout and booking is open at Webtickets.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is based on the 2011 BBC documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. It tells of a colourful teenager who overcomes prejudice and bullying to become a drag queen… and plans to attend his school prom in a dress.

The production is a bold, joyful and deeply human story about choosing to live out loud – even when the world tells you to stay quiet. It is a celebration of self-expression, acceptance and courage, all set to a great collection of songs.

The show was a hit in London and won Best New Musical at the What’s On Stage Awards, as well as being nominated for a host of other awards. The musical has since travelled to many parts of the world, and became a film in 2021, starring Layton Williams as Jamie and featuring Sarah Lancashire, Richard E Grant and drag icon Bianca Del Rio.

Created by the same team behind the Waterfront Theatre School’s sold-out 2024 production of Heathers – The Musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie brings together a powerhouse creative trio: director Paul Griffiths, musical director Garth Tavares and choreographer Ursula Lubbe.

“This musical is a celebration of how we can see parts of ourselves in others, embracing our differences and connecting with our similarities. We have an overwhelming capacity to accept,” says Griffiths.

“It’s a powerful coming-of-age story, wrapped up in humour, great music, emotion and energy that will inspire, entertain and make you laugh all at the same time.

“Sometimes we wrestle with a world that only sees things in a particular dimension. Jamie bravely breaks barriers and becomes a hero for defying being put in a box that doesn’t fit. He is the ultimate celebration of individuality.”

The cast features: John Marshall as Jamie, Khanya Gwe as Dean, Kate Lagan as Pritti, Asanda Mngadi as Hugo, Andrew Woods as Laika Virgin, Andrew Ingram as Tray Sophistacay, Krys Igirubuntu as Sandra Bollock, Danielle Bosman as Margaret, Azande Dube as Miss Hedge, Isabella Schnetler as Ray and Dante Verona as Jamie’s Dad.

The Waterfront Theatre School is a premier institution dedicated to nurturing the talents of aspiring performers. With a focus on comprehensive training in acting, singing and dance, the school has produced numerous successful graduates who have gone on to achieve acclaim in the performing arts industry.