James Campbell

James invented the idea of proper stand-up for children in 2001. Since then he has been travelling the world, bringing high-quality laughter to children in thousands of schools, libraries, theatres, festivals anywhere that will have him really.

For the last ten years he has mainly been concentrating on writing funny books and parenting his own children. But now he is bored of all that and returns to the world of festivals to reboot comedy for kids with a face full of wrinkles and a reconstructed show that may include exploding penguins; seventeen ways to eat jam; and songs to sing to the worms in your dog’s bottom.

This show is twice as funny as anything you’ve seen before so cover yourself in glue, roll around in glitter for five minutes and then come to the show shouting, “I’m a massive disco maggot!” until someone asks you to leave.

"A hit not to be missed” - Three Weeks ★★★★★
“ I should have given him six stars – just too brilliant “ – The Sunday Herald ★★★★★
"There were children laughing so hard they were struggling to sit up straight" - One4Review
"Has achieved almost holy status - don't miss" - The Sunday Times
"He belongs on stage” - The New York Times
“My seven-year-old was howling with laughter and so was I.” - The Daily Mail
"James Campbell pioneered the idea of stand-up for children, and it is still genuinely impressive to watch him hold the attention of a theatre full of six- to 11-year-olds for an hour with nothing but a microphone." - The Guardian

James invented the idea of proper stand-up for children in 2001. Since then he has been travelling the world, bringing high-quality laughter to children in thousands of schools, libraries, theatres, festivals anywhere that will have him really. 

For the last ten years he has mainly been concentrating on writing funny books and parenting his own children. But now he is bored of all that and returns to the world of festivals to reboot comedy for kids with a face full of wrinkles and a reconstructed show that may include exploding penguins; seventeen ways to eat jam; and songs to sing to the worms in your dog’s bottom. 

This show is twice as funny as anything you’ve seen before so cover yourself in glue, roll around in glitter for five minutes and then come to the show shouting, “I’m a massive disco maggot!” until someone asks you to leave.

Running Time 1 Hour

Age Advisory 6+

TOUR DATES 2025

3 May 2025

Diss Corn Hall

4 May - 5 May 2025

Brighton Festival - Komedia

25 Oct — 26 Oct 2025

Museum of Comedy