Composer & Musical Director
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ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, Orange Tree Theatre, by Chinonyerem Odimba, dir. Matt Hassell (2025 Composer & Musical Director)
****(*)
“... Paula James’s songs (she’s also musical director) punctuate with entrancing arrangements. This cast can certainly sing.” Simon Jenner, View From The Gods
****
“The music, composed by Paula James, is also infused with a lot of playfulness and individuality, adding to this silly wonderland world” Jasmine for Theatre And Tonic
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FRIDAY COMPANY (COMMUNITY TAKEOVER), Orange Tree Theatre, dir. Jess Haygarth (2025 Arranger & Musical Director)
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THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre by Molly Taylor, dir. Ellie Hurt (2025 Composer & Musical Director)
****
“Music plays an important role in this production … the original music by musical director Paula James adding greatly to the atmosphere.” Paul Crofts, We Are Chester
*****
“As always, the cast is made up of actor-musicians and the compositions of Paula James set the tone for each scene… The creative team behind this production have pulled out all the stops to stage something truly special this summer.” Abbie Rippon, The Reviews Hub
*****
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THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Workshop), National Theatre Studio, supported by the NT’s Generate Programme, by Molly Taylor, dir. Ellie Hurt (2025 Composer & Musical Director)
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TREASURE ISLAND, Orange Tree Theatre, by Hannah Khalil dir. Natasha Rickman (2024 Arranger & Musical Director)
“…Musical director Paula James conveys infectious fun with arrangements sung lustily, including “What Shall We Do” and one for cheese that’s infectious.” Simon Jenner, Fringe Review
****
*****
“... Khalil’s script has humour, tension and song. Sea shanties are set to synthesiser sounds and reggae beats. It is an utterly enchanting sea-dog story, told with bracingly youthful verve.” Arifa Akbar, Guardian
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, by Oscar Wilde, dir. Natasha Rickman (2024 Composer & Musical Director)
"... Everything in this production just fits. Paula James’s musical composition adds another layer to the farce.” - Abbie Rippon, Reviews Hub
*****
“All of this, coupled with beautifully choreographed stage movement from Paul Isles, and Paula James’s light, airy musical score, adds up to 2 hours of absolute delight.” Good News Liverpool
*****
“Paula James’s score comes to the fore in Hertfordshire’s bucolic surroundings where the hapless Jack and Algy become guitar-wielding troubadours to try and re-woo their disgruntled intendeds.” Arts City Liverpool
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DEAD RECKONING (Five Plays), Young Vic Theatre, by Rachel De-lahay, dir. Yaz Al-Shaater (2017 Composer & Performer)
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MUSIC SUPERVISOR, Rose Bruford College (2025 Actor & Actor Musicians Third Year Modern Classics Productions)
BLOOD WEDDING by Federico Garcia Lorca in a version by Tanya Ronder, dir. Hal Chambers
DENNIS OF PENGE by Annie Siddons, dir. Ebenezer Bamgboye
OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder dir. James Yeatman
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, adapted by Neil Duffielddir. Lucy Betts
tracks & Details
The Importance Of Being earnest
COMPOSER
MUSICAL
Paula’s Musical Directorial debut took place at the outstandingly inclusive Storyhouse Theatre in Chester.
In Summer 2024, Paula composed and musical directed
The Importance Of Being Earnest, directed by Natasha Rickman at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.
DIRECTOR
This hilarious actor-muso production, with its beautiful design, exceptional cast and incredible crew, was the perfect summer farce.
Complete with dancing butlers, food fights, and serenading suitors, the audience was set for an evening (or afternoon) of wit, charming chaos, and mistaken identities, all wrapped up in Oscar Wilde’s timeless, razor-sharp comedy.
ARRANGER
gypsy minuet
As a classical guitarist, Paula was overjoyed to compose Gypsy Minuet for three guitars. The recording featured below captures a live performance by the Merton Music Guitar Ensemble (part of Merton Music Foundation) at the Music for Youth National Festival, held at Queen Elizabeth Hall.
This spirited version—conducted by Mr. Peter Woodings—includes more than three guitars and even features a not-so-classical electric bass!
COMPOSER
SHELTER EP
Paula’s debut solo EP, Shelter, is a bluesy, jazzy, stripped-back affair. This acoustic, unplugged set, was produced by Samurai Sound, recorded at their West London studio and features Paula on vocals and guitar.
Released in the summer of 2017, you can find Shelter on Spotify and Amazon & Apple Music, and you can read Daisy Sells' interview with Paula featured in The Urban Watch here.
MUSICIAN
COMPOSER
SINGER
Also available on: Apple Music
Amazon Music and Spotify
SINGING SISTERS
MUSICIAN
In Winter 2023, Paula and her wonderfully talented sister Anna decided to flex their creativity by writing, recording, and producing music videos for children and families to enjoy.
Together, they became SINGING SISTERS! With Paula composing the tracks, Anna creating the artwork, and both sisters recording vocals, the project has blossomed into a joyful, family-based passion project they absolutely love.