User:Jsjamesds

James Skeggs – Actor / Dancer

James was born in Wanstead Hospital, London on 14th October 1960. His early years were spent in Walthamstow and he was educated at The Arts Educational School from 1970 to 1978. His teachers at this time included Michael Holmes (Ballet Rambert) and John Field (Royal Ballet). As a child he performed with The London Festival Ballet in The Nutcracker and Conservatoire. As a student he was a member of The English Bach Festival performing in Rameau's Hippolyte et Aricie, La Princesse de Navarre, Pigmalion, Les Elemants, Bach’s Peasant Cantata and Water Music, at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, The London Coliesum, The Banqueting House, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Concertabau Amsterdam, Theater of Irodion (Herod Atticus) Athens, The Opéra Royal de Versailles and Concert Hall The Hague. He appeared with The English Music Theatre in Benjamin Britten’s “Death In Venice” with Peter Pears at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden & Aldeburgh Festival. He danced the role of Renard the Fox in Stravinsky’s ballet of the same name for Pimlico Opera. James was a member of Dancers Anonymous, a contemporary dance company, who performed throughout the UK including two guest appearances at the Edinburgh Festival. Touring productions of Macbeth (Macduff) Romeo & Juliet (Tybalt) and twice in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as (Oberon and Puck), Toad of Toad Hall (Ratty). He danced the role of Bachaus in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld and sang the role of Strephon in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe. In 1979 he joined the company of Theatre an der Wien in Vienna, performing in the first foreign language production of Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, the later alternating between English and German language performances. During his time in Vienna he also appeared in productions of The Merry Widow, Man from La Mancha and West Side Story. In 1981 he went to Theatre des Westens, Berlin to perform, once again, in Evita. James returned to London in 1982 to join the cast of Evita at The Prince Edward Theatre London, directed by Harold Prince. In 1986 he joined the London cast of Cats at the new London Theatre, directed by Trevor Nunn. He toured the UK with the first touring company of Evita, in 1987/88. Following a dancing injury, James’ career took on more work in theatre management and production. He appeared in the pantomimes (Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks, Dick Whittington) performing alongside Bernard Cribbins, John Nettles, Les Dawson, Cilla Black, Lorraine Chase, Michael Elphick, Bella Emburg, Rula Lenska, Jean Boht, Ian Botham, Buster Merryfield and Ruth Maddoc. He toured and appeared in the Blackpool season of ‘Russ Abbot’s Mad House’. He was Company Stage Manager for ‘What a Carry On In Blackpool’ with Barbara Windsor and Bernard Bresslaw, ‘Roy Walker’s Catchphrase’ and ‘The Jim Davidson Show’. James retired from a full-time professional theatre career in 1992 and became manager of the Opera & Ballet Store for MDC Classic Music at The London Coliseum. He also worked for Chandos Records until 2006. His recent acting credits include the role of ‘Mole’ in Toad of Toad Hall. ‘Widow Twankey’ (Aladdin) ‘Nursey’ (Babes in the Wood) ‘George’ in Manor from Heaven by Stuart Cooper and Bernard in Last Tango in Little Grimley and The Fat Lady Sings by David Tristram, 'The Evil Queen' in Snow White, 'Buttons' (Cinderella). He has directed and appeared in Performances of The Hollow Crown by John Barton. Directing credits include Last Panto in Little Grimley, 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane and Road by Jim Cartwright as well as various pantomimes. As writer and director he his work includes Dick Whittington, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Jack and the Beanstalk. James is now a member of Murder Incorporated, performing in murder mystery events throughout the UK. Future plans include Alan Bennett's 'Talking Heads' and 'Buttons' in Cinderella. James also works with Northamptonshire Police as a roleplay actor in training programmes. He now lives in Northamptonshire.