TV Star Shobna Gulati To Play Ray In EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Everybody's Talking About Jamie, the award-winning feel good new musical sensation, is pleased to announce that Shobna Gulati, best known for playing Sunita Alahan in ITV's Coronation Street and Anita in Dinnerladies, will take on the role of Ray from Monday 7 May 2018.

Shobna joins current cast members, John McCrea (Jamie), Josie Walker (Margaret), Tamsin Carroll (Miss Hedge), Lucie Shorthouse (Pritti Pasha), Phil Nichol (Hugo), Alex Anstey (Laika Virgin), Luke Baker (Dean Paxton), Luke Bayer, Courtney Bowman (Fatimah), Marvyn Charles, Ken Christiansen (Jamie's Dad), Jordan Cunningham (Sayid), Daniel Davids (Levi), James Gillan (Tray Sophisticay), Ryan Hughes (Mickey), Daniel Jacob (Sandra Bollock), Cherelle Jay, Rebecca McKinnis, Harriet Payne (Bex), Chloe Pole, Shiv Rabheru (Cy), Lauran Rae (Becca) and Kirstie Skivington (Vicki).

Shobna Gulati said, "Everybody's Talking About Jamie is a wonderful show; it's truly warm, infectious for the soul and incredibly uplifting. The entire cast and team are so gifted and such energetic storytellers who give us a universal tale for right now. The show is full of the rich diversity that makes my heart sing and what makes Britain great! This musical celebrates life! This incredible production and ensemble is one I am so proud and so pleased to become a part of."

Shobna Gulati has become a household name for her role as Anita in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies and as Sunita in Coronation Street. Theatre credits include Daisy Pulls It Off (The Park), Anita & Me (Birmingham Rep and Touring Consortium), Grease (Leicester Curve Theatre), Mamma Mia! (international tour), April in Paris (Derby Playhouse and UK tour), B!rth, Hunger for Trade, Come Closer, Pretend You Have Big Buildings, Cafe Vesuvio (Royal Exchange, Manchester), The Jungle Book (West Yorkshire Playhouse), dinnerladies (UK tour), Romeo and Juliet (Leicester Haymarket) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Tara Arts, UK tour). She has also written and directed the critically acclaimed comedy show for young women, The Masala Girls. Film work includes Shadowscan (BAFTA winner), Honey and Razerblades, Junkhearts, Ashes and Finding Fatimah. Other TV includes Moving On, Hold the Sunset, Doctors, Casualty, In the Club, EastEnders, New Street Law, Magnolia, River City, Paranoid, You, Me and Them, Where the Heart Is, Loose Women and Celebrity Masterchef. She currently voices Kari in Cbeebies' Treasure Champs. Radio includes her own late night show on BBC Radio Manchester, and many plays for BBC Radio 4, including The Break and The Show What You Wrote.

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. This fabulous, funny, feel good brand new musical sensation hits London with catchy new songs by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae. Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

Watch the Everybody's Talking About Jamie trailer here.