I’m a Celebrity winner joins Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Author, podcast host and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here winner Giovanna Fletcher will play Miss Hedge in the smash-hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie which returns to Newcastle Theatre Royal (Tue 16 – Sat 20 Jan 2024) following its sell-out run in 2021.

She joins a previously announced all-star cast that features Ivano Turco (Get Up, Stand Up!, Cinderella) in the title role of Jamie New, with Rebecca McKinnis (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie West End, Dear Evan Hansen, We Will Rock You, Les Misérables) as Margaret New,  Shobna Gulati (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie West End and Film, Coronation Street, Brassic) as Ray, Talia Palamathanan (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Tour and film) as Pritti, and John Partridge (EastEnders, The View Upstairs, La Cage Aux Folles, A Chorus Line, CATS) – who dazzled Newcastle Theatre Royal audiences as Billy Flynn in Chicago in 2016 –   as Hugo/Loco.

Giovanna Fletcher said “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a wonderful show. Not only does it have great music, dance and humour, it also has masses of heart. The story is a universal tale of courage and acceptance, and one I can’t wait to help bring to life. I’m thrilled to get back on stage with such a talented cast and look forward to audiences across the UK falling in love with this show.”

Completing the cast for the UK Tour are KY Kelly (Anthony Gyde) (Laika Virgin), Garry Lee (Sandra Bollock), David McNair (Tray Sophisticay), Akshay St Clair (Dad), Jordan Ricketts (Dean), Liv Ashman (Vicki), Rhiannon Bacchus (Fatimah), Geoff Berrisford (Sayid), Jessica Daugirda (Bex), Finton Flynn (Young Loco Chanelle / Jamie New cover), Annabelle Laing (Becca), Luca Moscardini (Levi), Joshian Omana (Cy), Thomas Walton (Mickey), Takayiah Bailey (Swing) and Georgina Hagen (Understudy Margaret / Ray / Miss Hedge).

Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.

Set to an original score of catchy pop tunes by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae (Doctor Who). Choreographed by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince (Into The Woods, Some Like It Hip Hop, SYLVIA, Message In A Bottle).

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 16 – Sat 20 Jan 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.