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 James
Christopher
James has developed a strong and tight opening 20 minute set, as well as being a quick-witted and upbeat compere. James runs two regular and very popular gigs in his native Yorkshire – 1331 Comedy in York and The Smirking Room at Sela Bar in Leeds. He has performed extensively around the North of England and occasionally in London, since 2005.
At the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, James performed 69 shows in 22 days, on the award-winning PBH Free Fringe. This included headlining ‘The Late Show’, at the Free Fringe’s flagship venue, The Canon’s Gait.
In winter 2008, James wrote and starred in a sketch with fellow comedian Sam Gore. Entitled ‘BANG Out Of Order’, the acclaimed sketch has earned several hundred hits on-line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5bGC3IEgOo
During his birth, James’s umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. This usually necessitates a cesarean birth. However, because the umbilical cord was so long, a normal birth was possible. This may explain the cravat which is a permanent fixture around James’s neck. His umbilical cord remains preserved in York hospital, as a medical curiosity, and is roughly twice the normal length.
In 2006, James was evicted from his flat by the Church Of England. It was necessary to use a footpath through a graveyard in order to access the flat, and the C Of E rescinded permission to use the path as they were trying to sell the ground to a bar chain. This may explain a lengthy sketch in James’s act in which he deconstructs several religious leaflets, with vitriolic wit and contempt.
A keen writer, James has had several articles about comedy published in the arts magazine Aesthetica, including an interview with revered US stand-up Doug Stanhope. He currently writes reviews for The Talk magazine, and has been a co-host on Shatner’s Bassoon, a fun and informal live hour of comedy banter and chat on SheffieldLive FM. He also runs the popular website and forums at www.yorkshirecomedy.com
James is distinctly uncomfortable when referring to himself in the third person.
“James Christopher is a likeably jolly chap, with a nice line in self-deprecation at his own geekish demeanour... he’s got more than a little charm.” - Steve Bennett, chortle.co.uk
“Bespectacled and beguiling, his skewed, inventively helmed anecdotes and tales of perpetual outsiderdom could warm the hearts of those cryogenically sealed.” - Anthony J Brown
“Intelligent, original material, really well-delivered. He's a friendly, easy-going compere so seeing him perform a tight, excellent gag-filled set was a real surprise. He reminds me of Woody Allen in that he's a likable geek who makes some great observations.” - Andy Watson
Previous and upcoming gigs:
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival; New Stuff @ The Comedy Store Manchester; The Stand Glasgow & Edinburgh; XS Malarkey; Other Side (Mirth Control) York, Scarborough, Briddlington, Grimsby, Doncaster, Redcar, Thirsk and Scunthorpe; Funny Magnet, Arc and Stockton Riverside Festival Marquee for Peter Vincent; Buzz Hull, Royal Hotel, Beverley and Buxton for Agraman; Bar Amp and Mirth on Monday for Des Sharples; Caper Club, Sheffield Riverside, Rotherham, Chesterfield, Wakefield and Worksop for Anthony J Brown; Funny Bones Newcastle, Darlington and Sunderland for Warren Speed; Chillingham Arms for Long Live Comedy; Horse’s Mouth and Ashington for John Scott and Gavin Webster; Horsforth College, St John’s University, Leeds University; Amused Moose, Kayla's Comedy and Stratford Theatre in London.
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