A Chat With James Lee

April 8: He's been a mainstay on the Australian theatre stages for some 20 years. Later this month, JAMES LEE presents his first cabaret show in five years. AussieTheatre.com's TROY DODDS caught up with him...

TD: Tell us about the new cabaret show you’re putting together for the AB Hotel?
JL: I haven’t done a cabaret since the well received Being James Lee back in 2003 at Chapel off Chapel Melbourne, and I just felt it was time to put down the knitting, the book and the broom and climb back on the cabaret stage. Since doing Being James Lee I have also done a lot of work with MARDAR entertainment in acts like the world famous Three Waiters and The Leading Men which has given me a much more relaxed attitude in performing up close and personal. I’m basically really looking forward to it. As for content I’m not giving too much away as much to say you can count on a great night. I will be accompanied by the amazing talent of Geoffrey Castles, and Erin James, who will have just returned from New York and will be armed with new tunes and experiences, will join me on stage as well.

TD: You’ve just directed a short musical for Short, Sweet & Song. Is directing you want to do something more of?
JL: I would love to do more directing. I often say, “I don’t like just being a brushstroke. I like painting the whole picture”. Rats (the show he directed for Short, Sweet & Song) was a great experience and had some great feedback. Being able to be there from a show's inception was a wonderful blessing. To go back and rework certain aspects of the score and script with the writer and composer can never be a negative experience. I also discovered I could be crafty in designing and making the Rats masks and set. I worked with the amazing Gale Edwards in my first show and I always remember her care of taking the company on an emotional journey, a journey we would then retell the audience as a group of storytellers. This idea has stuck with me in my directing. I have directed a few things throughout my 20 years in the industry. Highlights include two amazing segments in the Gay Games Opening Ceremony in 2002. I had the ‘History of Gay Australia’ and the ‘Remembrance’ segments and worked with k.d. lang, Judi Connelli, Paul Capsis, Sydney’s Drag Alma Mater and 140 amazing volunteers. Directing the first two Hats Off concerts was also a highlight. I turn 40 in June so, like the age, I feel the directing stage of my life is just beginning.

TD: It’s been 20 years since you starred in Les Miserables – can you believe it’s been that long? What was the experience like?
JL: It’s slightly freaking me out actually. I’m now working with kids who weren’t even born when I did Les Mis. Peter Cousens and I said recently we are going to organise a reunion later in the year. Les Miserables was an incredible growing experience for me. I went in as a cocky kid and felt I left a little wiser.

TD: Out of all the shows you’ve done, what’s your favourite?
JL: I would have to say Les Mis for many reasons. It was my first show and I had just returned from doing my A levels in UK. I had seen Les Mis the first week it opened at the Barbican Theatre in London and just been blown away by what I had seen. For A level drama we had to do a 10,000-word thesis on a certain aspect of theatre. I chose Les Mis the journey from the novel to the French adaptation to the English adaptation. I got to interview many of the original creative team and cast. It was an awesome experience for a theatre-loving teenager.
Another memorable experience was performing the show in concert in the Domain on Australia Day 1989. We performed a concert version in front of 100,000 people. The orchestra was boosted from 28 to 110 with one of the most amazing sitzprobes I have ever experienced. Topped off with fireworks during the battles and after the show. A night to remember.

TD: What kind of performer would you describe yourself as?
Longevity, Great Company Member, Passionate, Funny, Vocally Strong, Creative, Versatile.

TD: Your CV is littered with credits – do you consider yourself fortunate to be in pretty regular work?
JL: Incredibly so. It is an incredible blessing to be in such a special industry surrounded by extraordinary people who love something as passionately as you do.I am a graphic designer and video editor to fill in the quiet times, however my true passion and a career I will always be part of is the musical theatre world.

TD: How would you like people to remember James Lee?
JL: With a smile on their face and a giggle in their heart.


James Lee performs at the AB Hotel in Glebe on April 24. Bookings: (02) 9660 1417.