Principal Emeritus of LAMDA
Before becoming Principal of LAMDA in 1994, Peter James had an extensive career in theatre. His credits include:
Theatre Directorships:
- Founder of the Liverpool (now Merseyside) Everyman Theatre.
- Associate Director of the new National Theatre at the Young Vic.
- Director of the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
- Director of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
West End Productions:
- Landscape – Aldwych Theatre (for the RSC with Peggy Ashcroft).
- Twelfth Night – Old Vic (for the National Theatre).
- Chicago – Cambridge Theatre (nominated for Best Musical).
- The Glass Menagerie – Roundhouse (with Gloria Graham).
- Charley’s Aunt – Aldwych Theatre (with Griff Rhys Jones).
- Feiffer’s America – Donmar Warehouse.
- Blondel – Old Vic and Aldwych Theatre (with Paul Nicholas).
- Canterbury Tales – Garrick Theatre.
- Plunder – Savoy Theatre (with Griff Rhys Jones).
International Productions:
- 1972-1982 – Annual series of productions for the Cameri Theatre of Tel Aviv.
- Old Times and Jumpers – Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne.
- Twelfth Night – Sevriemienik Theatre, Moscow.
- The Beaux Stratagem – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne.
- The Caretaker – Schiller Theatre, Berlin.
- The Beaux Stratagem – Beersheva Theatre, Israel.
- Poppea (Monteverdi Opera) – Major cities in Japan.
Awards:
- The International Theatre Institute Award for Excellence in the Field of International Theatre.
- Best of Fest Award for his production of The Madras House at the Edinburgh Festival.
- Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement to the Lyric Hammersmith for its production of The House of Bernada Alba.
Peter James has served on many Boards and Committees including:
- Chairman of ACGB Young People’s Theatre Committee.
- President of the Young Theatre Committee of the International Theatre Institute.
- Trustee of the Temba Theatre Company.
- Trustee of the Shared Experience Theatre Company.
Peter is currently Chairman of Trustees at the Diorama Arts Centre. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Isles (CBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours, for services to the arts.