Elis James

Owain Elis James (born 3 November 1980) is a British comedian and actor originally from Carmarthen. He later lived in Cardiff and is now based in London. He is bilingual in Welsh and English, and has performed in both languages.^[1]

Early life

James was born in Haverfordwest and grew up in Carmarthen, Wales.^[2] James's mother worked with the father of Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert and the mother of Welsh musician Euros Childs.^[3]

Prior to becoming a professional comedian, James engaged in various forms of employment, including temp work, charity work and part-time work at a cafe.^[2] James explained in 2012:

... I did normal office work which I was absolutely terrible at—I once got sacked from a temping job for slouching, and would routinely lie to get myself out of trouble before forgetting what lie I had told and thus making the problem worse. I did one temping job where I could do the work I needed to in about an hour so I’d take books in and read them when the boss wasn’t looking.^[2]

Career

Comedy

James began his comedy career in 2005, but made the transition to full-time comedy work in 2008.^[4][2] Prior to moving full-time to comedy, James was guitarist with the Cardiff-based indie/punk band Heck, fronted by Jemma Roper.^[5] The band recorded an EP and received airplay on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Introducing's Wales show, then broadcast on Radio 1. They also performed on new bands nights organised by the NME.^[6]

James commenced his role as Rex Jones, an old caretaker who is a post-Marxist with a health-and-safety obsession, in the live show Chris Corcoran's Committee Meeting in 2009. The show, conceived by Welsh comedian Chris Corcoran, was held for three years at the now-closed Muni Arts Centre. Corcoran explained in 2014: "We would write each show from scratch in the space of five days and the first time we’d perform it would be in front of the audience."^[7]

James supported Gilbert on his national UK tour, "Rhod Gilbert and the Award-Winning Mince Pie", in 2010. Supporting Gilbert, James experienced performances before audiences of over 1,500 people and he later said that he felt like a "pop star" when he walked on stage during the tour.^[3] James performed the "Daytripper" show at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe.^[8]

James and Corcoran then performed in a "best of" show based on the Chris Corcoran's Committee Meeting shows, including the Social Club FM spin-off radio show, at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show received the Guardian Pick of the Fringe accolade and led to the production of The Committee Meeting television pilot after the Tiger Aspect production company expressed interest.^[7]

In 2012, in response to a question about whether there is a difference between English and Welsh comedy, James replied:

There are differences, however slight, and the references are obviously different. But not so different that Welsh comics can't be successful in England, and vice versa. There are plenty of regional differences in English humour. I would tailor my material differently if I was in Aberystwyth as opposed to Manchester, but not radically.^[9]

James was the MC of the Machynlleth Comedy Festival Gala performance at the May 2014 Hay Festival. James performed alongside partner Isy Suttie, as well as comedians Henry Paker and Mike Wozniak.^[10] At the 2015 Machynlleth Comedy Festival, James performed a new Work in Progress show as well as a set in Welsh.^[11]

Radio

James played Rex Jones in the radio spin-off of Chris Corcoran's Committee Meeting, Social Club FM, which was initially broadcast in August 2011 for BBC Radio Wales and ran for two years.^[7][12]

On 16 February 2014, James started a morning radio show on XFM (now Radio X), which he co-hosts with fellow comedian John Robins.^[13]

Since 2014, James has co-written and co-starred in the BBC Radio Wales sketch show Here Be Dragons. The show won the 2014 Sony Award - Bronze for Best Comedy.^[14]

Television

James presented early episodes of the S4C music television program Bandit^[15] and has appeared in segments of Hwb, S4C's Welsh-learners program.^[16]

In 2013, The Committee Meeting was part of BBC Three's "Comedy Feeds", a series of comedy television pilots available exclusively via the BBC iPlayer.^[17] The pilot starred James and Corcoran, and featured guest Colin Baker. It was screened on BBC One Wales in August 2014.^[7]

In 2014, James appeared as Nigel in episode 3 of Crackanory, series 2, on the Dave channel.

Also in 2014, James appeared in the BBC Three "Comedy Feed" pilot Josh, starring Josh Widdicombe. A full six-episode season of Josh ran on BBC Three from 11 November through 16 December 2015.^[18] BBC Three has ordered a second full season of Josh, to be released sometime after BBC Three converts to an online-only channel in February 2016.^[19]

James also filmed a lead role in the BBC prison sitcom 600 Days, later renamed Crims.^[20][21] The sitcom aired on BBC Three in early 2015.^[22]

Awards and accolades

James won the Best Comedy prize at the National Student Radio Awards in 2006.^[23]

Personal life

James passionately follows football and is a Swansea City A.F.C. supporter. He explained in 2010 that the worst thing about being a comedian is when the timing of Swansea City games clash with his live show commitments. He also identified George Best and Muhammad Ali as his favorite sportspeople in 2010.^[8]

He has spoken extensively about his dream of one day creating a Turkish Delight flavoured crisp and it has been estimated that so far he has spent upwards of £150,000 trying to put the new snack into production.

James has an M.A. in Welsh history.^[24] He is in a relationship with actress, comedian and musician Isy Suttie.^[25] The couple live in South London and have a daughter, born 2014.^[26][27]

References

External links

• Elis James at the Internet Movie Database
• Elis James and John Robins on Radio X