Melanie La Barrie reflects on her fond memories performing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, particularly in & Juliet and Daddy Cool. She interviews James Williams, the theatre’s Chief Executive, who is stepping down after over 20 years of leadership. James discusses his tenure, highlighting key milestones such as programming Hairspray, which won multiple Olivier Awards and was a turning point for the Theatre.
He recounts risks he took, including supporting unconventional productions like & Juliet, which found great success. Beyond artistic contributions, James spearheaded significant infrastructure upgrades, including the award-winning fly tower, the addition of an underground bar and pedestrianised area in front of the venue (in collaboration with Camden).
James credits his inclination toward tackling ambitious, unconventional ideas for these accomplishments. Melanie commends his contributions and predicts a bright future for him post-Shaftesbury!
Watch the video below for more.
