James Barry
Director, writer, theatre producer
Peter Pan
James Barry is a shrewd writer and director, and he’s given this Peter Pan a new lease of life by extending the role of Tiger Lily to accommodate the talents of Julian Eardley, who camps it up beautifully. It adds so much to the comedy content of this sparkling production.
Barry is faithful to the story but makes one or two clever adjustments with regard to sequence and setting, particularly the opening scene, which really sets it all up so well.
Long out of copyright, Frank Baum's novel is fair game for new adaptations. At Winchester's Theatre Royal, James Barry's version has all the fun of a panto, so a story that can be a byword for sentimentality is given a bracing makeover. The script tells the story plainly but clearly and has some good jokes, which are actually funny, while the familiar characters are delivered by an excellent cast...Barry's own production is well-organised with a deft sense of timing so things move on at a good pace, but there is time for all the panto silliness.
Remote Goat
Same Time Next Year
Lisa Davies and Maurice Thorogood inhabit their parts so well that they become utterly believable human beings who desperately need each other for survival. Much of this is due to James Barry's excellent direction, which ensures this two hander is never monotonous...This is a delightful evening's entertainment which is well worth giving up an evening stroll for.
Bournemouth Echo
The Bloomers
James Barry directs the five strong cast with pace, as well as appearing as the smooth-talking poet, in this little seen and very enjoyable gem.
Basingstoke Gazette
Tilting Ground
Director James Barry effectively handled Guy Hibbert's tension-charged plot, which evoked sympathy for all three characters as their weaknesses were unveiled.
Bournemouth Echo
The Woman Who Cooked her Husband
The Theatre Royal's latest in-house production blended a wicked comedy with flavours of adultery, jealousy and murder, and served up direct, frank and dark humour to a hungry audience...
The direction of the play, by James Barry, was well managed and included some surreal staging as well as very naturalistic scenes....This enjoyable and entertaining production proved that revenge is a dish best served cold.
Alton Gazette
Next!
Next! is a refreshingly original show. Funny, sad, moving, uplifting and laugh-out-loud hilarious, James Barry's subtle direction allows Kiki Kendrick to take centre stage and deliver a spot-on, knock out 5-star performance. If this show doesn't rock Edinburgh it doesn't deserve a festival!
The List