Shane Richie will make his delayed return as Hugo/Loco Chanelle in the West End cast of feel-good British musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie when the hit show reopens at the Apollo Theatre from 20 May 2021.
If all goes to plan with the Government’s roadmap the Apollo will reopen with social distancing along with Nimax’s other five West End theatres.
Announcing the return of the critic and crowd-pleasing show as it celebrates its third year in the West End, producer Nica Burns said: “Year 11 at Mayfield school are back! Yes, freshly tested, clutching their customised masks, ready to rumble in their bubble! Everybody’s Talking About Jamie bursts back into the West End – fun, funny and joyful and ready to lift your lockdown blues.”
Fresh from his stint on last year’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Richie had been due to return to the role he first played in January 2019 in January this year.
Commenting on his Jamie comeback, Richie said: “It’s an absolute thrill and an honour to be getting back on stage in London’s West End biggest feelgood show reprising the role of Loco Chanelle – time to get heels on!”
Richie will join Noah Thomas as Jamie New, Melissa Jacques as Margaret, Sejal Keshwala as Ray, Hiba Elchikhe as Pritti Pasha and Gillian Ford as Miss Hedge. The cast also includes Alexander Archer (Mickey), Zion Battles (Levi), Ebony Clarke (Swing), Marlon G. Day (Jamie’s Dad), James Gillan (Tray Sophisticay), Zahra Jones (Becca), Emily Kenwright (Vicki), Keenan Knight (Sayid), Jordan Laviniere (Cy), Garry Lee (Sandra Bollock), Brian James Leys (understudy), David O’Reilly (Laika Virgin), Harriet Payne (Bex), Jordan Ricketts (Dean Paxton), Rachel Seiran (Fatimah) and Joe Wolstenholme (Swing).
Capacity at the Apollo Theatre has been reduced to around 50% to comply with Covid-19 secure guidelines including socially distanced seats and other robust risk mitigation.
Preventative measures will include: a health questionnaire which will be emailed 48 hours in advance of the performance; contactless tickets; compulsory facemasks; hand sanitation stations throughout the building; a click and collect bar app; regular deep clean and building sanitation; additional entrances and exits; and NHS Track and Trace.
The production is also part of the See It Safely scheme run by SOLT and UK Theatre which supports theatres by providing a toolkit and practical help and training to ensure venues are following the latest Covid-secure guidelines. Theatres taking part display the See It Safely mark to ensure theatregoers can be confident that all correct safety measures are in place.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre features 36 performers with a large backstage support team and is only able to return with a reduced capacity due to the support from the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund.
Described as a ‘coming-of-age story with a twist’, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is by singer songwriter Dan Gillespie Sells, the lead vocalist of rock band The Feeling, and stage and screen writer Tom MacRae. An instant hit with audiences and critics, the musical premiered in Sheffield in 2017 before transferring to London’s West End in November 2017.
The show is directed by Jonathan Butterell, who also came up with the original idea for the musical. The multi-award-winning musical’s creative team also includes designer Anna Fleischle, choreographer Kate Prince, musical director Theo Jamieson, lighting designer Lucy Carter, sound designer Paul Groothuis and casting director Will Burton.
The movie version of the musical featuring Max Harwood in his professional debut as Jamie New, Richard E. Grant as Loco Chanelle and Sarah Lancashire as Margaret New had been scheduled for release on 26 February. Distributors 2oth Century Studios have yet to announce a new release date.
Angela Thomas
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