Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tour cast revealed with Ivano Turco, John Partridge & more!

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming UK tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Inspired by a true story, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has proved a hit on the West End ever since opening in 2017 and was recently turned into a hit film.

Now its back to tour across the UK, with new dates confirmed for 2023 and into 2024, including a run in London.

The cast includes Ivano Turco (Get Up, Stand Up!, Cinderella) as Jamie New, 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 and Talia Palamathanan (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Tour and film) as Pritti.

John Partridge (Eastenders, The View Upstairs, La Cage Aux Folles, Chicago, A Chorus Line, CATS) will star as Hugo/Loco from 7 September – 11 November 2023 and 16 January – 23 March 2024.

Joining them will be Hayley Tamaddon (Coronation Street, Emmerdale) as Miss Hedge from 7 September – 26 November 2023, Kevin Clifton as Hugo / Loco Chanelle from 25 March – 15 July 2024, Giovanna Fletcher as Miss Hedge from 8 January  –  23 March 2024 and Sam Bailey as Miss Hedge from 25 March – 15 July 2024.

Completing the cast for the 2023-24 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).

Everybody's Talking About Jamie tour tickets, dates & venues »

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.

Producer Nica Burns said: “We are absolutely delighted to be announcing a cracking cast for our second national tour. A huge welcome to two new talented stars to the cast of Jamie: Ivano Turco in the title role and John Partridge as his mentors, Hugo/Loco Chanelle.

“They join two superlative fan favourites from the West End cast, Rebecca McKinnis as mum Margaret and Shobna Gulati also reprising her role in the film as Ray. Talia Palamathanan who was such a hit in the ensemble steps up to the lead role of Pritti. We thank all our audiences for the incredible reception they have given us and look forward to sharing our joyful musical once again on tour round the UK.”

John Partridge added: “I have loved this show since the first time I saw it. Never before has an LGBTQ+ musical, a story that at its heart is about diversity and inclusion, been more relevant. The fact that I get to kick off this UK tour in Manchester, the place of my birth, and bring it back to the West End is a full circle moment. Excited and honoured.”

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has music by Dan Gillespie Sells and a book and lyrics by Tom MacRae from an idea by Jonathan Butterell.

Directed by Jonathan Butterell, the production has design by Anna Fleischle, choreography by Kate Prince, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Paul Groothuis, casting by Will Burton, musical supervision Theo Jamieson and video design by Luke Halls.

About the author: Josh Darvill

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.