James Huish

James Huish is the founding member of the Belfast School of Performing Arts which has four locations across NI including Lisburn, He is a professional singer whose heart truly lies with musical theatre and it is hisgoal in life to nurture the talents of the young people in Northern Ireland giving them greater access to opportunities.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Oct 2014, 18:11 BST

What do you like doing on your day off?

Day off - what’s a day off? I don’t really get much time off, but when I do I love to spend it with my two boys, our fun days out can take us anywhere from vertigo to W5 but our favourite thing we like doing is running around the sand dunes at the beach.

How would you describe your taste in clothes?

I’m not good at clothes I desperately need a stylist. Anyone out there? ,I dress up for my singing acts and don a great suit and tie, but generally speaking I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy – so much running about, working on sets and working long hours means comfort is high priority!

What was your most embarrassing moment?

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That’s easy. I was on stage in front of about three thousand people and I ripped my trousers right around the bottom as I jumped of the drum riser trying to be cool. I had to only walk sideways for the rest of the show.

What has been your proudest moment?

That has to be becoming a Dad, I also delivered my youngest son, but that’s a whole new story!

What music do you like?

Swing, Musical Theatre. Rock. Pop. Jazz. Classical. Anything really. I just love music full stop.

What is your greatest remaining ambition?

I have two, one of which is about to come true! I will be directing a musical off Broadway, a very exciting project is the creation of a new musical set in Ireland, The Great Hunger, we are casting, early 2015 and will be heading to Broadway the following year! The second is my long term goal, I want to play a part in bringing one of the big theatre schools to Ireland, North or south. If I grow the Belfast School of Performing Arts to such a level that the demand is here, it might just happen!

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If you could spend a day with a celebrity whom would you choose?

One of my biggest idols is the musical theatre legend Simon Bowman and he stayed in my house while we did a very special master-class with the kids from the Belfast School of Performing Arts, so that was weird and also amazing for me. If I was to choose another it would have to be one who is no longer alive, Dean Martin, I’d have such a laugh with him and in the present day I’d say Michael Buble, my on stage alter ego.

Related topics:Belfast School of Performing ArtsNorthern IrelandLisburn