James trained at LAMDA and in a professional acting career spanning forty years James has appeared in well over one hundred and fifty theatrical productions.
Notable recent theatre work includes appearing as: 'Judge Gaffney' in HARVEY Dir. Philip Dart. (Vienna's English Theatre). 'Paddy Flynn' in IRISH CELTIC:Spirit of Ireland Dir.Toby Gough and in IRISH CELTIC 3: Le Chemin des Legendes. Dir, Mika Xerri .Touring HongKong/Australia/NZ/France/China
'Trinculo' in The Stafford Shakespeare Festival's THE TEMPEST (Dir. Clare Prenton) and 'Jack Pearson' (Dad) in Janet Plater's critically acclaimed new play THE GAUL (Hull Truck Theatre - Dir. Mark Babych)
James appeared in Sir Alan Ayckbourn's Olivier award-winning production COMIC POTENTIAL (Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough/Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue), Award-winning playwright Richard Cameron's THE GLEE CLUB (Bush Theatre/Duchess Theatre Dir Mike Bradwell). BRASSED OFF (Birmingham Rep/Liverpool Playhouse), OLIVER! (Nottingham Playhouse), CINDERELLA (West Yorkshire Playhouse), ON THE PISTE (Derby Playhouse), A PASSIONATE WOMAN (Ipswich Wolsey Theatre/ Oldham Coliseum Theatre). ONE NIGHT IN NOVEMBER (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry),THE FLANNELETTES (The Kings Head Theatre. Dir Mike Bradwell).
For the renowned Hull Truck Theatre Company James has appeared in several highly successful national touring productions of plays written and directed by the celebrated Yorkshire playwright John Godber. These include 'Lucky Eric' in two productions of BOUNCERS, 'Arthur Hoyle' in two productions of UP'N'UNDER, 'Ron Marlowe' in two productions of PERFECT PITCH, 'Don' in ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS, 'Mark' in GOING DUTCH, 'Chris' in GYM AND TONIC and as 'Dave' in FLY ME TO THE MOON.
James has also performed in seasons of plays at: The Steven Joseph Theatre Scarborough, The New Vic Theatre Stoke-on-Trent, Worcester Swan Theatre, Haymarket Theatre Basingstoke, Derby Playhouse, Century Theatre Keswick and, notably, Northampton's Royal Theatre, where, over the years he has appeared in many productions. These include: BLOOD BROTHERS, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, MACBETH, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, SEASONS GREETINGS, OLIVER! and several highly successful pantomimes.
To date, James has adapted five novels and performed them as one-man plays: OLIVER TWIST, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, DRACULA and DAVID COPPERFIELD.
James’ voice-talent used extensively on video-game: WITCHER 3 THE WILD HUNT
TV and Film credits include: WITLESS,(BBC3): TIMETABLE,(Reelscape Films): DOCTORS,(BBC1):SILENT WITNESS,(BBC1): THE BILL,(ITV): ALL ABOUT ME,(BBC2): DOUBLE TAKE,(BBC2):CHELWORTH,(BBC1): THE PROSECUTION OF NAEIRA (BBCOU) and THE BLAKE ESCAPE.(ITV)