The musical will be directed by Agnieszka Płoszajska. The lead role will be performed by Kuba Szyperski and Krystian Embradora. Tickets for the premiere run (September 5–20) are already on sale.

This story is based on true events: a 16-year-old student from an English secondary school, Jamie, announced during a career-planning class that he wanted to become a performer – a drag queen – in the future. What’s more, he intended to attend his school prom in drag. At first, the school resisted, but Jamie received support from his family, friends, and eventually from the local community. In 2011, the BBC produced a documentary about Jamie, and six years later, a musical based on his story premiered in London’s West End. The show was written by Tom MacRae (book and lyrics) and Dan Gillespie Sells (music).

Jamie isn’t afraid to tell the world that he wants to perform as a drag queen. Pritti, a girl from a Muslim family, supports her best friend wholeheartedly. Margaret, Jamie’s mother, shares her son’s passion and cheers him on, paying no attention to what others might think. Meanwhile, the residents of provincial Sheffield gradually learn to break stereotypes and to recognize Jamie’s right to pursue his dreams.

Why has the Syrena Theatre chosen to stage this particular musical?

– One of the pillars of our program and mission is to stage socially conscious musicals – intelligent and engaged works. Jamie is exactly that – explains Jacek Mikołajczyk, the artistic director of the Syrena Theatre. – This show explores a teenager’s struggle for the right to express his identity and pursue his dreams. At the same time, it’s a musical with phenomenal, modern pop music, and its characters – representing different generations – are vivid, strong, and yet very relatable. Staging this production also gave us the opportunity to open our doors to newcomers – the cast includes as many as ten performers who have never appeared at Syrena before – he adds.

The cast was selected through a three-stage audition process, which drew as many as 460 applicants from across Poland. More than 200 were invited to the auditions.

The number of applications exceeded my expectations! Through a rather challenging casting process, we selected both newcomers and experienced musical theatre actors. I’m also very happy that several members of Syrena’s own ensemble joined the cast. Why was the casting difficult? The overall level of the auditions was extremely high, and the passionate debates among the jury members are the best proof that we have fantastic musical theatre performers in Poland – with world-class vocal and dance skills!

says Agnieszka Płoszajska, the musical’s director

The lead role of Jamie will be played by Kuba Szyperski (appearing at Syrena for the first time) and Krystian Embradora. Jamie’s mother will be portrayed by Katarzyna Walczak – known to Syrena audiences as Diana in “Next to normal” – and Magdalena Placek-Boryń. The role of Pritti will be performed by Julia Kafar and Dominika Sobol, both making their Syrena debuts. Hugo, also known as Loco Chanelle, will be played by Mateusz Deskiewicz (returning to Syrena after several years) and Michał Konarski, who will also alternate as Jamie’s father with Jeremiasz Gzyl. Jamie’s teacher will be portrayed by Małgorzata Majerska and Beatrycze Łukaszewska, while Marta Burdynowicz will defend Jamie’s rights as Ray, his mother’s friend. The cast also includes one of Poland’s most famous drag queens – Twoja Stara.

The production team includes several artists already well known to Syrena’s audiences: Agnieszka Płoszajska (director), Michał Cyran (choreography), Tomasz Filipczak (musical direction), Anna Chadaj (set design), Jacek Mikołajczyk (translation), and Katarzyna Łuszczyk (lighting design). New to the team are Emil Wysocki, who will design the costumes, and Zuzanna Falkowska, responsible for vocal coaching.

“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” will be another high school–themed musical in the Syrena Theatre’s repertoire, following “Heathers”. Its protagonists, high school students, will speak about their world, their dilemmas, and their resistance to reality. This production will also mark another collaboration between Syrena and a social organization.

– “Heathers” dealt with the nightmares of adolescence and school bullying, so at that time we partnered with the Foundation Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę, which runs the 116 111 helpline for children and youth – says Monika Walecka, director of the Syrena Theatre. – For “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”, our partner will be the Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH). Their experts will provide substantive support to the production team and cast. Together, we will also prepare educational materials that will be included, among other places, in the musical’s program.

Tickets for the premiere run of the musical (September 5–20, 2026) are already available for purchase at bilety.teatrsyrena.pl. The show’s dedicated webpage can be found here [LINK].

Cast

Creative team

Direction – Agnieszka Płoszajska
Choreography – Michał Cyran
Musical direction – Tomasz Filipczak
Translation – Jacek Mikołajczyk
Set design – Anna Chadaj
Costumes – Emil Wysocki
Lighting design – Katarzyna Łuszczyk
Vocal preparation – Zuzanna Falkowska

The musical „Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” is licensed by Concord Theatricals Ltd.