A Wendy Jones-Blackett greeting card plays a starring role in the upcoming major film, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and is considered such an important element that it features in the official trailer that has just been released.
The 20th Century Fox film, which is due out to be shown in cinemas from February 2021, is based on the musical of the same name which was inspired by the 2011 television documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. The film follows a 16-year-old Sheffield teenager as he overcomes prejudice, rejection from his own father, beats the bullies and fulfills his dream to become a drag queen.
It was back in July 2019 that Wendy Jones-Blackett, the creative maestro and namesake of the Chapel Allerton-based greeting card company received a strange request from someone she got to know as they walked their dogs in the same woods.
“She works for a company that makes props for films and when asked to create a couple of 16th birthday cards for the film, rather than making both of the cards in-house she immediately thought of us,” said Wendy. “The cards illustrate how while Jamie’s dad just didn’t understand or fully accept him, his mum clearly did.”
While his dad gave him a totally inappropriately designed card, with no relevance to Jamie’s tastes and interests, the one from his Mum (played by Sarah Lancashire in the film) was spot on, featuring fluff and glamour to befit a top drag queen.
“While the prop company made the card from his dad in-house, we were very happy to be create the card from his mum, a bespoke Cloud Nine design incorporating ‘chuffing birthday’ message in a nod to his Sheffield home as well as lots of over the top fluff and sparkle,” explains Wendy. “It was only when we sent to see the stage show in the West End that I realised how pivotal the card would be in highlighting the strength of the relationship between Jamie and his mum.”
Having been sworn to secrecy about the card’s appearance, Wendy is now so excited to be able to share the good news.
“It feels a bit like having one of our kids appearing in a movie! Chuffed to bits too that the film picks up on the important role cards play in all of our lives,” adds Wendy.
Click below to watch the official trailer for the film…
Top: At his last careers advice class, 16 year old Jamie states his intention to become a performer, which he does.
