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.
Theatre, Opera & Dance
Awards
GOLDEN MASK AWARD NOMINATION
2018
Alcina
Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow
Best Lighting Designer For Opera
DRAMA DESK AWARD NOMINATION
2017
The Tempest
St Ann's Warehouse
Outstanding Light For A Play
OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATION
2016
People, Places and Things
Dorfman, National Theatre
Best Lighting Design
KNIGHT OF ILLUMINATION AWARD
2012
The Duchess of Malfi
The Old Vic
WHATSONSTAGE AWARD
2011
Ghost Stories
Duke of York's Theatre, West End
Best Lighting
TMA NOMINATION
2010
Ghost Stories
Lyric Hammersmith
Best Lighting Design
TMA NOMINATION
2009
Private Fears in Public Places
Northampton Theatre Royal
Best Lighting Design
KNIGHT OF ILLUMINATION NOMINATION
2007
tHe dYsFUnCKshOnalZ!
Bush Theatre
Credits
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
2026
Park Avenue Armoury, New York
Director: Simon Stone
WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
2026
Soho Place
Director: Marianne Elliot
GOLDEN BOY
2026
Almeida
Director: Sam Yates
UNDER THE SHADOW
2026
Almeida
Director: Nadia Latif
THE OTHER PLACE
2026
Europe Tour
Director: Alexander Zeldin
CARE
2026
Young Vic
Director: Alexander Zeldin
LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
2026
National Theatre
Director: Marianne Elliott
THE OTHER PLACE
2026
The Shed, New York
Director: Alexander Zeldin
INNOCENCE
2026
MET Opera, New York
Director: Simon Stone
PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
2025
National Theatre
Director: Caitríona McLaughlin
CARMEN
2025
Joffrey Ballet, Chicago
Director: Liam Scarlett
THE MAKROPULOS CASE
2025
Royal Opera House
Director: Katie Mitchell
THE LAND OF THE LIVING
2025
National Theatre
Director: Stephen Daldry
LONDON ROAD
2025
National Theatre
Director: Rufus Norris
DON GIOVANNI
2025
Aix-en-Provence, France
Director: Robert Icke
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
2025
Staatsoper Hamburg
Director: Kent Nagano
BLANK
2025
Dramaten, Sweden
Director: Maria Aberg
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
2025
St Ann's Warehouse, New York
Director: Benedict Andrews
GIUSTINO
2025
Royal Opera House
Director: Joe Hill-Gibbins
VANYA
2025
Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York
Director: Sam Yates
INNOCENCE
2025
Adelaide Festival, Australia
Director: Simon Stone
JENŮFA
2025
Royal Opera House
Director: Claus Guth
GHOST STORIES
2025
UK Tour
Director: Sean Holmes
REPLAY
2024
Schaubuhne, Germany
Director: Yael Ronen
THEODORA
2024
Teatro Real, Spain
Director: Katie Mitchell
BERNARDA ALBA'S HOUSE
2024
New Theatre GmbH, Germany
Director: Katie Mitchell
THE OTHER PLACE
2024
National Theatre
Director: Alexander Zeldin
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
2024
Donmar Warehouse
Director: Benedict Andrews
JENŮFA
2024
Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma, Italy
Director: Claus Guth
IL TROVATORE
2024
Hamburg Opera, Germany
Director: Immo Karaman
IDOMENEO
2024
Cologne Opera, Germany
Director: Florris Visser
PEOPLE PLACES AND THINGS
2024
Trafalgar Theatre
Director: Jeremy Herrin
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
2024
LG Arts Center, South Korea
Director: Simon Stone
INNOCENCE
2024
San Francisco Opera, US
Director: Simon Stone
PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE
2024
Aix-en-Provence, France
Director: Susanna Malkki and Katie Mitchell
THE NUTCRACKER
2023
National Ballet, Norway
Director: Kaloyan Boyadjiev
MEFISTOFELE
2023
Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma, Italy
Director: Simon Stone
VANYA
2023
Richmond Theatre / Duke of York's Theatre, West End
Director: Sam Yates
JENŮFA
2023
Lyric Opera, Chicago
Director: Claus Guth
INNOCENCE
2023
Royal Opera House
Director: Simon Stone
BLUE
2023
English National Opera
Director: Tingle Craig
TRISTAN AND ISOLDE
2023
Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg
Director: Simon Stone
JENŮFA
2023
Palau de les Arts, Valencia, Spain
Director: Katie Mitchell
CARMEN
2023
Scottish Opera
Director: John Fulljames
PHAEDRA
2023
National Theatre
Director: Simon Stone
DIE TOTE STADT
2023
English National Opera
Director: Annilese Miskimmon
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
2022
LA Opera / Met Opera, US
Director: Simon Stone
JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN
2022
Bridge Theatre
Director: Nicholas Hytner
INNOCENCE
2022
Finnish National Opera and Ballet
Director: Simon Stone
THE BLUE WOMAN
2022
Royal Opera House / Snape Maltings Concert Hall
Director: Katie Mitchell
TRAUERNACHT
2022
Opéra National de Lyon, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
L'ORFEO
2022
Wiener Staatsoper, Austria
Director: Tom Morris
WOZZECK
2022
Wiener Staatsoper, Austria
Director: Simon Stone
THEODORA
2022
Royal Opera House
Director: Katie Mitchell
JENŮFA
2021
Royal Opera House
Director: Claus Guth
DER ZWERG
2021
Dutch National Opera
Director: Nanouk Leopold
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE
2021
Aix en Provence, France
Director: Simon Stone
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS/MAHAGONNY SONGSPIEL
2021
Royal Opera House
Director: Isabelle Kettle
LA TRAVIATA
2021
Vienna Staatsoper, Austria
Director: Simon Stone
INNOCENCE
2021
Aix En Provence, France / Dutch National Opera
Director: Simon Stone
COPENHAGEN
2020
Theatre Royal Bath
Director: Polly Findlay
YERMA
2020
Schaubühne Berlin, Germany
Director: Simon Stone
OP HOOP VAN ZEGEN
2020
International Theatre Amsterdam
Director: Simon Stone
STREET SCENE
2020
Opera Monte Carlo, Monaco
Director: John Fulljames
BLUEBEARD'S CASTLE
2020
Bavarian State Opera Munich, Germany
Director: Katie Mitchell
CARMEN
2020
Finnish National Opera and Ballet
Director: Liam Scarlett
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
2020
Royal Danish Opera / Finnish National Opera
Director: Katie Mitchell
ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE
2019
Hamburg Schauspielhaus, Germany
Director: Katie Mitchell
GHOST STORIES
2019
Lyric Hammersmith / West End / UK Tour
Director: Sean Holmes
LESSONS IN LOVE AND VIOLENCE
2019
Hamburg State Opera, Germany
Director: Katie Mitchell
STREET SCENE
2019
Oper Köln, Germany
Director: John Fulljames
LA TRILOGIE DE LA VENGEANCE
2019
Odeon Théâtre de l'Europe, France
Director: Simon Stone
ZAUBERLAND
2019
Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
LESSONS IN LOVE AND VIOLENCE
2019
Opera Lyon, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
LA TRAVIATA
2019
Paris Opera, France
Director: Simon Stone
WHEN WE HAVE SUFFICIENTLY TORTURED EACH OTHER
2019
National Theatre
Director: Katie Mitchell
THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND
2018
Almeida
Director: Joe Hill-Gibbins
THE NUTCRACKER
2018
Norwegian National Ballet
Director: Kaloyan Boyadjiev
JENŮFA
2018
Nationale Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam
Director: Katie Mitchell
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
2018
Aix En Provence, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
YERMA
2018
Young Vic/ Park Avenue Armory, NY, US
Director: Simon Stone
MACBETH
2018
National Theatre
Director: Rufus Norris
LESSONS IN LOVE AND VIOLENCE
2018
Royal Opera House / Nationale Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam
Director: Katie Mitchell
STREET SCENE
2018
Teatro Real, Madrid, Spain
Director: John Fulljames
PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS
2017
UK Tour / St Ann's Warehouse, NY, US
Director: Jeremy Herrin
FRANCESCA DA RIMINI / RICCARDO ZANDONAI
2017
Opera National Du Rhin, France
Director: Nicola Raab
ALCINA
2017
Bolshoi Theatre of Russia
Director: Katie Mitchell
MIRANDA
2017
Opera Comique, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
UIT HET LEVEN VAN MARIONETTEN
2017
Toneelgroep Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Director: Nanouk Leopold
YERMA
2017
Young Vic
Director: Simon Stone
IBSEN HUIS
2017
Toneelgroep, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Director: Simon Stone
ANATOMY OF SUICIDE
2017
Royal Court
Director: Katie Mitchell
TWELFTH NIGHT
2017
National Theatre
Director: Simon Godwin
PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE
2017
Den Norske Opera, Norway
Director: Simon Stone
THE TEMPEST
2017
St Ann's Warehouse, New York, US
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
DE MEIDEN
2016
Toneelgroep Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Director: Katie Mitchell
THE DRESSER
2016
Richmond Theatre/ Duke of York’s Theatre, West End
Director: Sean Foley
THE TRILOGY
2016
Donmar Productions
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
THE NUTCRACKER
2016
Norwegian National Ballet
Director: Kaloyan Boyadjiev
YERMA
2016
Young Vic
Director: Simon Stone
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
2016
Glyndebourne
Director: Annabel Arden
PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE
2016
Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
BUGSY MALONE
2016
Lyric Hammersmith
Director: Sean Holmes
LIFE
2016
Sadler’s Wells / UK Tour
Director: Ballet Boyz
PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS
2016
Wyndham’s Theatre, West End
Director: Jeremy Herrin
BENJAMIN DERRIÈRE NUIT
2016
Opera de Lyon, France
Director: John Fulljames
ARIODANTE
2016
Scottish Opera
Director: Henry Fehr
PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS
2015
National Theatre
Director: Jeremy Herrin
BUGSY MALONE
2015
Lyric Hammersmith
Director: Sean Holmes
MAN AND SUPERMAN
2015
National Theatre
Director: Simon Godwin
CARMEN
2015
Norwegian National Ballet
Director: Liam Scarlett
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
2015
Opera North
Director: Jo Davies
ALCINA
2015
Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
2015
Young Vic
Director: Joe Hill-Gibbins
HENRY IV
2015
Donmar Warehouse / St Ann’s Warehouse
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
HAPGOOD
2015
Hampstead Theatre
Director: Howard Davies
THE MODERATE SOPRANO
2015
Hampstead Theatre
Director: Jeremy Herrin
THE WAY BACK HOME
2014
ENO / Young Vic
Director: Katie Mitchell
THREE WINTERS
2014
National Theatre
Director: Howard Davies
THE WHITE DEVIL
2014
Royal Shakespeare Company
Director: Maria Aberg
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
2014
Young Vic
Director: Katie Mitchell
FATHER AND SONS
2014
Donmar Warehouse
Director: Lyndsey Turner
NOT, FOOTFALLS, ROCKABY
2014
Royal Court
Director: Walter Asmus
TRANSLATIONS
2014
Sheffield Crucible / ETT Tour
Director: James Grieve
RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN
2014
Hampstead Theatre
Director: Peter Dubois
TRAUERNACHT
2014
Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE
2013
Richmond Theatre/ Duke of York’s, West End / UK Tour
Director: Sean Foley
EDWARD II
2013
National Theatre
Director: Joe Hill-Gibbins
AS YOU LIKE IT
2013
Royal Shakespeare Company
Director: Maria Aberg
A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS
2013
Royal Shakespeare Company
Director: Sean Foley
AND THE REST WILL BE FAMILIAR TO YOU FROM CINEMA
2013
Hamburg Schauspielhaus, Germany
Director: Katie Mitchell
LONGING
2013
Hampstead Theatre
Director: Nina Raine
THE HOUSE TAKEN OVER
2013
Aix-en-Provence International Festival, France
Director: Katie Mitchell
LE VIN HERBÉ
2013
Berlin Staatsoper, Germany
Director: Katie Mitchell
FIREBIRD
2013
Norwegian National Ballet
Director: Liam Scarlett
DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER
2013
Scottish Opera
Director: Harry Fehr
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-Gibbins | Young Vic
THE GLASS MENAGERIE | Director: Joe Hill-Gibbins | 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-Gibbins | 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