James Bennett

James has worked extensively in theatre, film and TV, whether it be Strictly Come Dancing, being assistant choreographer on Britain’s Got Talent, and The BGT Christmas Special, or as the choreographer working exclusively with Oti Mabuse and her acts on the BBC’s The Greatest Dancer. He is currently creating Oti Mabuse’s debut tour I AM HERE. Other Choreography; Creative Director for I AM HERE performance (Dancing on Ice); Wind in the Willows (Norwich Playhouse, Jetty at Battersea, Cultural Hall Bahrain). During the 2020 pandemic James created, choreographed and produced a new dance film entitled Choked, (winner best experimental at Soho film festival, nominated for best short Soho New York Film Festival). He was creative director and choreographer for Lunch with an Old Bag 2021 and 2020 (Princes Trust, Edinburgh) and Don’t Stop Me Now, a Queen tribute concert ( BSJ Jakarta), He oversaw the choreography for Oti Mabuse on Dance Beats Flashmob (Tesco and British Heart Foundation). Has choreographed shows for Imagine Cruising (Australia/Singapore), Prestonfield House, Aladdin (Gordon Craig Theatre); Cinderella, and Robin Hood (Regent Theatre Stoke), Aladdin (Fernham Hall). Associate choreographer; Goldilocks and the Three Bears (London Palladium), Kiss Me Kate (Watermill Theatre), and the Fats Waller Musical Ain’t Misbehavin (Southwark Playhouse/Mercury Theatre Colchester).

Performance Credits: Resident director/dance captain Tango Moderno, starring Vincent and Flavia. Tommy Arbunt in the UK and North American premiere of Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Dance Captain for Dirty Dancing (UK and European Tour); Dance Captain for We Will Rock You (UK and European tour); Carmen (02 arena and Royal Albert Hall); We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre); IQ and swing in Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre); Santa Claus The Musical (Marina Bay, Singapore) and Dance Captain for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Birmingham Hippodrome). Television includes: Strictly Come Dancing (BBC), Britain’s Got Talent (ITV), Ant and Dec, Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV), Genie in the House (Nickelodeon) and Spooks: Code 9 (BBC); John Barrowman’s Tonight’s the Night (BBC 1), Children in Need (BBC) and the The Paul O’Grady Show (Channel 4). James spent most of 2018 working on the brand new Elton John biopic, Rocketman.

Other film includes: Cruella (Disney), Rocketman (Paramount), See You Soon, Dance Party 2 (Universal). Other work includes: the Xfactor 2012 Launch (Syco); the Wimbledon Olympics 2012 Opening; various music videos, including Out of Office and Duffy’s Well Well Well; advertising campaigns for Polaroid, Foxes Live, Wild in the City (Channel 4).