Joshua James: The Challenges and Joys of Acting

Joshua James is one of the most ravishing actors on the UK Theatre scene, taking on principal roles at the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe and the Royal Court Theatre. He is about to make his Arcola Theatre debut in Laura Walden's new play Some Demon, as a nurse working in an institution for people with eating disorders. Laura Waldren's won the prestigious Papatango Prize for her first play which Joshua calls one of the best pieces of new writing that he's read in many years. Following on from the run at the Arcola Theatre, the show will also transfer to the studio at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre where Joshua will also be making his debut there.

In our interview, Joshua James talks to us about the challenges of performing new writing and how to deal with sensitive subject matters such as eating disorders. He goes on to talk about the joy of getting to work on classic texts too having recently performed in landmark revivals of The Glass Menagerie and also The Vortex, where he starred opposite his real-life mother: Lia Williams. It's fascinating to hear him compare the experiences of working on existing texts compared to new work but he also tells us that it's important to approach classics afresh without holding them up with any particular reverence.  We hear him share his hopes for the future too as he continues to tackle thought-provoking work both in London and in the regions.

Some Demon runs at Arcola Theatre until 6th July and runs at Bristol Old Vic Theatre from from 9 - 13 July.