APT's Jamal James endures broken knee, hand

Stage Right/Stage Wrong by Aaron Conklin, September 13, 2019

You might not realize it watching Jamal James earn uproarious laughter for his role as Marlow, the tongue-tied young noble in American Players Theatre's production of "She Stoops to Conquer," but comedy — well, period comedy, anyway — doesn't come easy to the Virginia native.

"With contemporary comedy, there's context — you know the cultural context," says James (who is also playing the young jazz musician Lyons in August Wilson's "Fences" in the Hill Theatre this summer). "With Old English comedy, you're using an old language. There are societal names and in-jokes. You're not sure if you're being funny at all."

James had an easier time in his scenes with co-star Laura Rook, who plays Kate Hardcastle, the woman who delights in torturing his character. Marlow can scarcely put together two coherent words in the presence of a noblewoman but has no trouble letting loose with the house staff. The physical aspects of his role, like when he must nervously edge away from Rook's Kate or contort himself to avoid making eye contact with her, came much more naturally. But even these scenes were a challenge, says James.

"Not every audience laughs at the same place," he notes. "You have to ride that wave as it's happening. It's an act of listening for comedy to work."

All laughs aside, James took a break to talk with us about a few of his other memorable stage experiences.

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