Rebecca McKinnis and Lee Ross will step into the London production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the roles of Margaret New and Hugo, respectively. They will join the West End musical July 16, replacing actors Josie Walker, who has been with the show since the first workshop, and Phil Nichol.
McKinnis is currently playing the understudy to Margaret. Her other credits include the London productions of Mamma Mia! and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, among others. Ross is an Olivier Award nominee for his performance in Birdsong and has been seen in a number of Royal Court productions.
Led by John McCrea as Jamie, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the story of a teenager who finds his confidence through the art of drag. The show premiered at Sheffield Theatres in 2017 before a transfer to London’s Apollo Theatre, where it is currently scheduled to play through April 2019.
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The cast is currently completed by Shobna Gulati as Ray, Tamsin Carroll as Miss Hedge, Lucie Shorthouse as Pritti Pasha, Alex Anstey as Laika Virgin, Luke Baker as Dean Paxton, Luke Bayer, Courtney Bowman as Fatimah, Marvyn Charles, Ken Christiansen as Jamie’s Dad, Jordan Cunningham as Sayid, Daniel Davids as Levi, James Gillan as Tray Sophisticay, Ryan Hughes as Mickey, Daniel Jacob as Sandra Bollock, Cherelle Jay, Harriet Payne as Bex, Chloe Pole, Shiv Rabheru as Cy, Lauran Rae as Becca, and Kirstie Skivington as Vicki.
Inspired by a BBC Three documentary about Jamie Campbell, the musical follows a 16-year-old who, still grappling with coming out as gay, embraces drag to overcome bullying and taunts about his sexuality. Supported by his loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out into the spotlight.
The Olivier-nominated musical features music by Dan Gillespie Sells, book and lyrics by Tom MacRae, from an idea by Jonathan Butterell, and direction by Butterell.
The production features design by Anna Fleischle, choreography by Kate Prince, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Paul Groothuis, musical direction by Theo Jamieson, and casting by Will Burton.
