James works internationally in opera, theatre and dance. He has lit productions for many prestigious companies including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera, New York, Vienna State Opera, English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Berlin State Opera, Munich State Opera, Paris Opera (Garnier and Bastille), Teatro Real (Madrid), Opera Lyon, Dutch National Opera (Amsterdam), Aix-en-Provence International Opera Festival, Norwegian National Opera (Oslo), Hamburg Opera, Köln Opera, Scottish Opera and Opera North. Theatre includes many shows for the National Theatre, Young Vic, RSC, Donmar Warehouse, the Almeida, Hamburg Schauspielhaus, the Odeon in Paris, the Lyric Hammersmith and West End. He lives in London.
Awards and Nominations
Golden Mask Award nomination for Best Lighting Designer for Opera for Alcina at Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow.
Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Light for a Play for The Tempest at St Ann's Warehouse
2016 Olivier Award nomination for People, Places and Things at the Dorfman, National Theatre.
2012 Knights of Illumination Award for The Duchess of Malfi at the Old Vic.
2011 WhatsOnStage Whitelight Best Lighting Award for Ghost Stories at the Duke of York’s Theatre, West End.
2010 TMA Best Lighting Design nomination for Ghost Stories at Lyric Hammersmith.
2009 TMA Best Lighting Design nomination for Private Fears in Public Places, Northampton Theatre Royal.
2007 Knights of Illumination nomination for tHe dYsFUnCKshOnalZ! at the Bush Theatre.
List Of Productions
2025
JENŮFA | Director: Claus Guth | Royal Opera House
2024
REPLAY | Director: Yael Ronen | Schaubuhne, Germany
THEODORA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Teatro Real, Spain
BERNARDA ALBA'S HOUSE | Director: Katie Mitchell | New Theatre GmbH, Germany
THE OTHER PLACE | Director: Alexander Zeldin | National Theatre
THE CHERRY ORCHARD | Benedict Andrews | Donmar Warehouse
JENŮFA | Director: Claus Guth | Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma, Italy
IL TROVATORE | Director: Immo Karaman | Hamburg Opera, Germany
IDOMENEO | Director: Florris Visser | Cologne Opera, Germany
PEOPLE PLACES AND THINGS | Director: Jeremy Herrin | Trafalgar Theatre
THE CHERRY ORCHARD | Simon Stone | LG Arts Center, South Korea
INNOCENCE | Director: Simon Stone | San Francisco Opera, US
PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE | Director: Susanna Malkki and Katie Mitchell | Aix-en-Provence, France
2023
THE NUTCRACKER | Director: Kaloyan Boyadjiev | Norway National Ballet
MEFISTOFELE | Director: Simon Stone | Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma, Italy
VANYA | Director: Sam Yates | Richmond Theatre, Duke of York's Theatre, West End
JENŮFA | Director: Claus Guth | Lyric Opera Chicago, US
INNOCENCE | Director: Simon Stone | Royal Opera House
BLUE | Director: Tinuke Craig | English National Opera
TRISTAN & ISOLDE | Director: Simon Stone | Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg
JENUFA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Palau de les Arts, Valencia, Spain
CARMEN | Director: John Fulljames | Scottish Opera
PHAEDRA | Director: Simon Stone | National Theatre
DIE TOTE STADT | Director: Annilese Miskimmon | English National Opera
2022
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR | Director Simon Stone | LA Opera
JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN | Director: Nicholas Hytner | Bridge Theatre
INNOCENCE | Director: Simon Stone | Finnish National Opera and Ballet
THE BLUE WOMAN | Director: Katie Mitchell | Royal Opera House/Snape Maltings Concert Hall
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR | Director: Simon Stone | MET Opera
TRAUERNACHT | Director: Katie Mitchell | Opéra National de Lyon, France
L'ORFEO | Director: Tom Morris | Wiener Staatsoper, Austria
WOZZECK | Director: Simon Stone | Wiener Staatsoper, Austria
THEODORA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Royal Opera House
2021
JENUFA | Director: Claus Guth | Royal Opera House
DER ZWERG | Director: Nanouk Leopold | Dutch National Opera
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE | Director: Simon Stone | Aix en Provence, France
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS/MAHAGONNY SONGSPIEL | Director: Isabelle Kettle | Royal Opera House
LA TRAVIATA | Director: Simon Stone | Vienna Staatsoper, Austria
INNOCENCE | Director: Simon Stone | Aix En Provence, France
2020
COPENHAGEN | Director: Polly Findlay | Theatre Royal Bath
YERMA | Director: Simon Stone | Schaubühne Berlin, Germany
OP HOOP VAN ZEGEN | Director: Simon Stone | International Theatre Amsterdam, The Netherlands
STREET SCENE | Director: John Fulljames | Opera Monte Carlo, Monaco
BLUEBEARD'S CASTLE | Director: Katie Mitchell | Bavarian State Opera Munich, Germany
CARMEN | Choreographer: Liam Scarlett | Finnish National Opera and Ballet
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS | Director: Katie Mitchell | Finnish National Opera
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS | Director: Katie Mitchell | Royal Danish Opera
INNOCENCE | Director: Simon Stone | Dutch National Opera
2019
ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE | Director: Katie Mitchell | Hamburg Schauspielhaus, Grany
GHOST STORIES | Director: Sean Holmes | Lyric Hammersmith/ West End/ UK Tour
LESSONS IN LOVE AND VIOLENCE | Director: Katie Mitchell | Hamburg State Opera, Germany
STREET SCENE | Director: John Fulljames | Oper Köln, Germany
LA TRILOGIE DE LA VENGEANCE | Director: Simon Stone | Odeon Théâtre de l'Europe, France
ZAUBERLAND | Director: Katie Mitchell | Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, France
LESSONS IN LOVE AND VIOLENCE | Director: Katie Mitchell | Opera Lyon, France
LA TRAVIATA | Director: Simon Stone | Paris Opera, France
WHEN WE HAVE SUFFICIENTLY TORTURED EACH OTHER | Director: Katie Mitchell | National Theatre, Dorfman
2018
THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND | Director: Joe Hill-Gibbons | Almeida
THE NUTCRACKER | Choreographer: Kaloyan Boyadjev | Norwegian National Ballet
JENUFA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Nationale Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS | Director: Katie Mitchell | Aix En Provence, France
YERMA | Director: Simon Stone | Young Vic/ Park Avenue Armory, NY, US
MACBETH | Director: Rufus Norris | National Theatre
LESSONS IN LOVE AND VIOLENCE | Director: Katie Mitchell | Royal Opera House & Nationale Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam
STREET SCENE | Director: John Fulljames | Teatro Real, Madrid, Spain
2017
PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS | Director: Jeremy Herrin | UK Tour
PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS | Director: Jeremy Herrin | St Ann's Warheouse, NY, US
FRANCESCA DA RIMINI / RICCARDO ZANDONAI | Director: Nicola Raab | Opera National Du Rhin, France
ALCINA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Bolshoi Theatre of Russia
MIRANDA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Opera Comique, France
UIT HET LEVEN VAN MARIONETTEN | Director: Nanouk Leopold | Toneelgroep Amsterdam, The Netherlands
YERMA | Director: Simon Stone | Young Vic
IBSEN HUIS | Director: Simon Stone | Toneelgroep, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
ANATOMY OF SUICIDE | Director: Katie Mitchell | Royal Court
TWELFTH NIGHT | Director: Simon Godwin | The National Theatre
PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE | Director: Simon Stone | Den Norske Opera, Norway
THE TEMPEST | Director: Phyllida Lloyd | St. Ann's Warehouse, New York, US
2016
DE MEIDEN | Director: Katie Mitchell | Toneel Grouep Amsterdam, The Netherlands
THE DRESSER | Director: Sean Foley | Richmond Theatre/ Duke of York’s Theatre, West End
THE TRILOGY | Director: Phyllida Lloyd | Donmar Productions
THE NUTCRACKER | Choreographer: Kaloyan Boyadjev | Norwegian National Ballet
YERMA | Director: Simon Stone | Young Vic
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE | Director: Annabel Arden | Glyndebourne
PELLÉAS ET MELISÁNDE | Director: Katie Mitchell | Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
BUGSY MALONE | Director: Sean Holmes | Lyric Hammersmith
LIFE | Ballet Boyz | Sadler’s Wells/ UK Tour
PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS | Director: Jeremy Herrin | Wyndham’s Theatre, West End
BENJAMIN DERRIÈRE NUIT | Director: John Fulljames | Opera de Lyon, France
ARIODANTE | Director: Henry Fehr | Scottish Opera
2015
PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS | Director: Jeremy Herrin | National Theatre
BUGSY MALONE | Director: Sean Holmes | Lyric Hammersmith
MAN AND SUPERMAN | Director: Simon Godwin | National Theatre
CARMEN | Choreographer: Liam Scarlett | Norwegian National Ballet
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO | Director: Jo Davies | Opera North
ALCINA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
MEASURE FOR MEASURE | Director: Joe Hill-Gibbons | Young Vic
HENRY IV | Director: Phyllida Lloyd | Donmar Warehouse/ St. Ann’s Warehouse
HAPGOOD | Director: Howard Davies | Hampstead Theatre
THE MODERATE SOPRANO | Director: Jeremy Herrin | Hampstead Theatre
2014
THE WAY BACK HOME | Director: Katie Mitchell | ENO/ Young Vic
THREE WINTERS | Director: Howard Davies | Lyttleton, National Theatre
THE WHITE DEVIL | Director: Maria Aberg | Swan, RSC
THE CHERRY ORCHARD | Director: Katie Mitchell | Young Vic
FATHER AND SONS | Director: Lyndsey Turner | Donmar Warehouse
NOT, FOOTFALLS, ROCKABY | Director: Walter Asmus | Royal Court
TRANSLATIONS | Director: James Grieve | Sheffield Crucible/ ETT Tour
RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN | Director: Peter Dubois | Hampstead Theatre
TRAUERNACHT | Director: Katie Mitchell | Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
2013
JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE | Director: Sean Foley | Richmond Theatre/ Duke of York’s, West End/ UK Tour
EDWARD II | Director: Joe Hill Gibbons | Olivier, National Theatre
AS YOU LIKE IT | Director: Maria Aberg | Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC
A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS | Director: Sean Foley | Swan, RSC
AND THE REST WILL BE FAMILIAR TO YOU FROM CINEMA | Director: Katie Mitchell | Hamburg Schauspielhaus, Germany
LONGING | Director: Nina Raine | Hampstead Theatre
THE HOUSE TAKEN OVER | Director: Katie Mitchell | Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
LE VIN HERBÉ | Director: Katie Mitchell | Berlin Staaastsoper, Germany
FIREBIRD | Liam Scarlett | Norwegian National Ballet
DER FLIEGENDE HOLLANDER | Director: Harry Fehr | Scottish Opera
PREVIOUS THEATRE
THE LADYKILLERS | Director: Sean Foley | Liverpool Playhouse/ Gielgud Theatre/ Vaudeville Theatre, West End/ UK Tour
PEOPLE | Director: Nicholas Hytner | Lyttelton, National Theatre
THE MAGISTRATE | Director: Timothy Sheader | Olivier, National Theatre/ UK Tour
LONDON ROAD | Director: Rufus Norris | Cottesloe and Olivier, National Theatre
JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK | Howard Davies | Lytellton, National Theatre and Abbey Theatre
MEN SHOULD WEEP | Director: Josie Rourke | Lytellton, National Theatre
DOUBLE FEATURE | Director: Lyndsey Turner and Polly Findlay | Paintframe, National Theatre
THREE SISTERS | Director: Benedict Andrews | Young Vic
THE CHANGELING | Director: Joe Hill-Gibbons | Young Vic
THE GLASS MENAGERIE | Director: Joe Hill-Gibbons | Young Vic
GHOST STORIES | Director: Jeremy Dyson, Sean Holmes and Andy Nyman | Lyric Hammersmith/ Duke of York’s, West End
DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS | Director: Sean Holmes | Lyric Hammersmith
THE OVERCOAT | Director: Amit Lahav | Lyric Hammersmith
TWISTED TALES | Director: Polly Findlay | Lyric Hammersmith
THE RECRUITING OFFICER | Director: Josie Rourke | Donmar Warehouse
INADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE | Director: Jamie Lloyd | Donmar Warehouse
THE DUCHESS OF MALFI | Director: Jamie Lloyd | Old Vic
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE | Director: James Grieve | Royal Court
THE VILLAGE BIKE | Director: Joe-Hill Gibbons | Royal Court
WANDERLUST | Director: Simon Godwin | Royal Court
WHAT’S IN THE CAT? | Director: Paulette Randell | Royal Court
BLEST BE THE TIE | Director: Paulette Randell | Royal Court
PLENTY | Director: Thea Sharrock | Sheffield Crucible
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS | Director: Tom Morris | Bristol Old/ West End/ UK Tour
JULIET AND HER ROMEO | Director: Tom Morris | Bristol Old Vic
ADOLF HITLER: MY PART IN HIS DOWNFALL | Director: Tim Carroll | Bristol Old Vic/ Hampstead/ Rho Delta/ UK Tour
LIKE A FISHBONE | Director: Josie Rourke | Bush Theatre
THE WHISKEYTASTER | Director: Josie Rourke | Bush Theatre
2000 FEET AWAY | Director: Josie Rourke | Bush Theatre
TINDERBOX | Director: Josie Rourke | Bush Theatre
THE DYSFUNCKSHONALZ! | Director: Tamara Harvey | Bush Theatre
CROOKED | Director: Mike Bradwell | Bush Theatre
I LIKE MINE WITH A KISS | Director: Mike Bradwell | Bush Theatre
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM | Director: Matthew Dunster | Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
RAGTIME | Director: Timothy Sheader | Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
LORD OF THE FLIES | Director: Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel | Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
DANCING AT LUGHNASA | Director: Tamara Harvey | Birmingham Rep
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS | Director: Peter Rowe | Birmingham Rep
FORWARD | Director: Natalie Wilson | Birmingham Rep
THREE SISTERS | Director: Paulette Randall | Birmingham Rep
TAKING CARE OF BABY | Director: Anthony Clark | Hampstead
OSAMA THE HERO | Director: Anthony Clark | Hampstead
A SINGLE ACT | Director: Anthony Clark | Hampstead
NATHAN WISE | Director: Anthony Clark | Hampstead
BLONDE BOMBSHELLS OF 1943 | Director: Mark Babych | Hampstead/ Bolton Octagon/ UK Tour
THE LITTLE PRINCE | Director: Anthony Clark | Hampstead
LIFE AFTER SCANDAL | Director: Anthony Clark | Hampstead
THE MATHS TUTOR | Director: Anthony Clark | Hampstead
BREAKING THE SILENCE | Director: Esther Richardson
BEAUTIFUL THING | Nottingham Playhouse
BEAST ON THE MOON | Nottingham Playhouse
TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN | Nottingham Playhouse
I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE | Nottingham Playhouse
A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG | Nottingham Playhouse
A WINTER’S TALE | UK Tour
BEDROOM FARCE | West Yorkshire Playhouse
VINCENT IN BRIXTON | Ipswich New Wolsey
CHIMPS | Ipswich New Wolsey
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM | Ipswich New Wolsey
BLUES IN THE NIGHT | Ipswich New Wolsey
THE GLASS MENAGERIE | Ipswich New Wolsey
IMPROBABLE FICTION | Stephen Joseph Theatre
TOUCH WOOD | Stephen Joseph Theatre
SOAP | Stephen Joseph Theatre
MAKING WAVES | Stephen Joseph Theatre
BE MY BABY | New Vic
EAST IS EAST | New Vic
A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE | New Vic