James DP DruryAbout Me
30/03/1989
Born
I was born in a hospital like most people, and I had wonky eyes, such a looker :-) Hi Dad
17/08/2007
Started working in the west end
Having just left school, I wrote to several producers and production companies to try to get a job, anything! One answered my call, Tristan Baker, and he hired me as a followspot operator on Footloose at the Playhouse Theatre in London. I then went on to be stage crew on Tin Tin (Playhouse Theatre), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre), Never Forget (Savoy Theatre), The Sound of Music (London Palladium), Carousel (Savoy Theatre), Sister Act (London Palladium), Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre) and Betty Blue Eyes (Novello Theatre). I then did my stage management secondment on Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre), which led to me getting technical ASM on White Christmas (Mayflower SOuthampton, Grand Canal Dublin, Liverpool Empire). Since then I have been ASM/Book/SM cover on Les Misérables (Queens Theatre), Great Britain (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre). I ended my time at The Lion King in November 2018 as sabbatical cover DSM.
23/12/2008
Became an Uncle
My cheeky niece, Holly, was born and I became and uncle. I've spent the years since teaching her how to be cheekier and to fall in love with all things Disney.
10/08/2010
Whoopi
For three weeks in 2010 I got to share the stage with Whoopi Goldberg, dressed as a nun. It's one of my favourite things to bring up in conversation. Love this photo
02/09/2012
Les Mis V Phantom
The charity football match between the two theatrical giants Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera was the first time I'd really done some design work since I left school. It all started with doing the poster for the first year, then becoming heavily involved from the second year.
19/09/2012
First Time In America
My first USA trip was to NYC, and instantly fell in love. I didn't feel like a touritst, I felt at home amongst the theatricals. After four NYC trips, I then went to Orlando with Chris and this has now become our annual pilgrimage, sometimes with the parents.
27/01/2014
Cool Rider
2014 was a massive year for me, producing my first West End show, Cool Rider. The one night only concert spawned a weeek long West End run, a studio cast recording and a cult following. Who knew a ladder could mean so much to someone...?
17/06/2014
On The Telly Box
The below photo is the extent of my television appearance in the TV show Drag Queens of London. My co-producing partner and flatmate at the time starred as Miss Rosie Beaver in the series, and here you can see me having too much fun tightening up her corset.
01/01/2015
New Years to remember
New Years 2015 was when Chris and I started dating...this is the official photo.
17/01/2018
Home Owners
After working and saving hard we purchased a flat. :-)
30/05/2018
Engaged
On the eve of my forth trip to Orlando, Chris popped the question to me in our Bloc hotel room. He printed our large polariod photos of us which spelt out "James will you Marry Me" with the ring at the end. Obvioulsy I said yes and we had a dream holiday :-)
07/08/2018
Website Relaunch
Obviously everything above has shaped me to be the person I am now, but this could be one of the most significant dates in my life, the relaunch of jamesdpdrury.com
16/11/2018
Last day at the Pridelands
After nearly 4 years, I left The Lion King to concentrate on this glorious venture.
