In recent years, Barry James has worked on screen including filming for Wonka with Timothée Chalamet as the titular character and he made guest appearances as Kenneth Foskett in EastEnders alongside June Brown in 2019 and he returned for an episode in 2022. Primarily a stage actor, some of Barry’s most recent projects include starring as Harry in the European premiere of A Letter to Harvey Milk at Waterloo East, which saw him be nominated for an Offie Award for his performance, playing Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls at Théâtre Marigny in Paris, being part of the 2017 London premiere of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole the Musical as Bert Baxter, and he was cast as Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End. For five years, Barry played Monsieur Richard Firmin in The Phantom of the Opera, and filmed at the Royal Albert Hall for the 25th Anniversary of the musical, and having played Herr Schultz in Cabaret in the West End’s Lyric Theatre, he went on to play the character in Frankfurt. Barry played Thénardier in Les Misérables for a number of years (where he worked with his future Adrian Mole co-star Gay Soper as Madame Thénardier), originated the role of Cogsworth in the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast at the Dominion Theatre (going on to do the international tour), and he was in the London revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the National Theatre playing Beadle Bamford, where he was nominated at the 1994 Olivier Awards for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical. One of Barry’s most well-known roles is originating lead character Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at the Comedy Theatre (now Harold Pinter Theatre) alongside Ellen Greene as Audrey, and he returned to the musical in 2006 at the Menier Chocolate Factory and for the West End transfer, this time playing Mr. Mushnik. Amongst Barry’s extensive stage career, his further projects include Chicago and Oliver! (working with Lionel Bart in the latter), and at the start of his career, he performed at the National Theatre for many years alongside Sir Laurence Olivier and his company. It has just been announced that Barry is set to be in the cast of the semi-staged world premiere concert of Jo – The Little Women Musical as Grandfather/Mr Laurence alongside a cast including Tracie Bennett, Liam Tamne and Tobias Turley at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Sunday 25th January 2025. Ahead of the latest announcement, we chatted with Barry about playing Harry in the European premiere of A Letter to Harvey Milk, his time in Guys and Dolls, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole the Musical and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, performing as Monsieur Richard Firmin in The Phantom of the Opera and originating the role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors.

How did you find the experience filming on set of the feature film Wonka, which starred Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka?

Interesting. I remember it being bitterly cold on set. Timothée looked as if he was shivering to death. I enjoyed being cast as a dancer!! Very long days. I was up at 4am every morning. The crew were lovely to me and made sure I had food and hot drinks all day.

What was it like playing guest character Kenneth Foskett in EastEnders in 2019 and returning for an episode in 2022?

It was fabulous to work with the legendary June Brown. Such fun. If anyone else dies and needs a solicitor, I’m up for grabs!!!!

Can you tell us about working on the European premiere of A Letter to Harvey Milk as Harry at Waterloo East?

It was emotionally draining with the subject matter being very close to my heart. The last speech was incredibly harrowing. It was a fantastic piece of theatre and I was nominated for an Offie! Thank you, Gerald, for giving me the role.

How was it performing at Théâtre Marigny in Paris in Guys and Dolls and taking on the role of Arvide Abernathy?

It was wonderful being in Paris for four months. It was a lovely experience with a great cast. The audiences were great. Unfortunately, due to the presence of the yellow jackets and quite violent protests, the audience was somewhat depleted. Sad really. I did enjoy drinking champagne and eating amazing French food. Lots of people came over to see the show.

In the 2017 London premiere of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole the Musical, you played Bert Baxter at the Menier Chocolate Factory, what did you enjoy most about working on the show and how was it bringing the story of Adrian Mole to the stage?

Such an iconic piece. I loved the books, and the character Bert was a gift. I love working at the Chocolate Factory. I was a bit worried about the Leicester accent!!!!!! Luckily, I have a friend who is from Leicester and that helped a lot. I thought that it would have had a longer run in the West End. New shows like this are so important.

What was it like getting into character as Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End?

The director said to me ‘why are you talking like an old man? You are an old man’!!!! It was a very hard show to do. I was on stage for the whole show. Alex Jennings was such a gem. The choreography was very challenging but great to do. It was inspiring working with the young Charlies, what an experience for them – I was contacted by one recently, who is a teenager now! The audiences loved it.

How was your time in the cast of The Phantom of the Opera as Monsieur Richard Firmin, and how was it filming The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall for their 25th Anniversary?

I adore Phantom. I played it for five years. Every night was thrilling. The Albert Hall performance was incredible. To play that place was mind-blowing. I loved the ending where everyone that had been involved from the first West End run came on stage. Many great friends were made and I am still in contact with Gareth Snook, who played André. The score is sensational and I got a chance to inject a bit of humour into the role.

You performed in the West End production of Cabaret as Herr Schultz at the Lyric Theatre, what was the musical like to be part of?

Such an iconic show. Rufus Norris’s production was extremely poignant. Schultz is an amazing character to play. Another fabulous piece of theatre to be involved in. I also did this in Frankfurt. That was a very interesting experience.

Do you have any favourite highlights from playing Thénardier in Les Misérables over a number of years that you can tell us about?

The International Symphonic Recording stands out. Also, Stage by Stage: The Making of Les Misérables. Jack Tinker said that Barry James will always be known as the definitive Thénardier… not sure about that but it has been a major part of my life.

How was it originating the role of Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast in the original West End cast at the Dominion Theatre and what was it like working on a major Disney stage adaptation?

It’s such a great show. Cogsworth was amazing to create and develop. He was a complex character to play but I loved making him comedic as well as serious. The illusions were amazing. The only downside for me was not being able to go for a wee because of the costume, it took ages to get out of!!! I had seen the film before and I thought the stage adaptation was better. I loved it so much I actually did the international tour as well.

What was it like being involved with the London revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the National Theatre as Beadle Bamford, and do you remember how you felt being nominated for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical at the 1994 Olivier Awards?

It was an honour to be nominated and to be part of such a great cast. Sondheim at his best, IMHO. I was thrilled to be nominated. It’s lovely to get that sort of recognition for your work.

What are some of your stand-out memories from originating the starring role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at the Comedy Theatre (now the Harold Pinter Theatre) in the West End and what was Seymour like to play?

I can’t believe how long ago this was. It was early on in my musical career because I worked at the National Theatre as a classical actor for many years. Again, this was a great production to be involved with and my first collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh. Working with Ellen Greene was an experience. I loved the show and it has many happy memories for me. Such an iconic film and the score is sensational. A really good feel-good show. Working with Audrey II when she was fully grown was daunting!!

How different did you find returning to the musical in 2006 for the London revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory and the West End transfer, this time as Mr. Mushnik?

It was strange! A sure sign you are getting a bit older after playing the ‘juvenile’ lead. Working with Sheridan Smith was a lovely experience. It was nice to have a bit more of a laid-back role in the show.

Can you tell us about some of your further roles over your extensive career so far, which have included Amos Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre, Mr. Bumble in Oliver! at The London Palladium and Ladislav Sipos in the 1994 London revival of She Loves Me at the Savoy Theatre?

She Loves me was at the Savoy Theatre, and I had always wanted to play the Savoy, so this was amazing. I was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in the show as well. I remember my song Perspective – I had to sing a complicated song while stacking boxes. I used to have sticky notes on my hands to remind me which one to stack!

Amos Hart was a terrific role. I knew that I could really do something with the role and most nights I took the curtain call 😊 Alison Moyet was a joy to work with as Mama Morton. It’s just fabulous music. I love Kander and Ebb.

Mr. Bumble was a challenge. The dear Lionel Bart arranged my song Boy for Sale as it was a bit high for me. I remember worrying about walking down a steep staircase in an enormous amount of padding!!

How did you originally get started in the acting industry and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

I literally ran away to become part of a musical theatre comply. I then went on to study at the Guildford School of Acting after being headhunted! I went on to the National and enjoyed many years working alongside (Laurence) Olivier and his company. I was fortunate to do the TV adaptation of The Merchant of Venice with Sir. I did many roles there and loved all of them.

What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?

I love crime dramas and am a sucker for Vera and the like. I tend not to watch too much TV but enjoy Strictly!! I very rarely go to the theatre as it feels like a bit of a busman’s holiday. But if I have friends in something, I will always try and go to see them.

How do you like to spend your time away from your career?

I’m lucky to have a place by the coast. I get there as often as I can if I’m not working. I have two greyhounds and a walk along the beach with them is the best thing ever. I often still read Shakespeare and love reading novels (usually crime dramas)!!! I love eating out but tend to cook a lot at home. I don’t really drink alcohol anymore but still enjoy a glass of good champagne and a plate of smoked salmon.

What advice would you give a new actor hoping for a career in theatre?

Keep trying! It’s a total way of life but a fantastic one. You just need a break. Don’t be put off by rejection and always remember that working in the theatre is transitory. You make friends, work with them for a very long time and when it’s time to move on, many of those people you won’t see again for years until you work on a show again together.

Do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about and what are you hoping 2026 brings for you?

I do have some things on the go at the moment. One of which is happening very soon but shh!! I hope to continue working for as long as I can. I love the theatre and this has been my life for many a year!!