The long-awaited return, of James R Hearn

Guest favourite James R Hearn has fitted back into the Hopton-on-Sea mould like an old glove since his return last summer. So much so that this ‘temporary arrangement’ (while Mark Brewer fixed his dodgy knee) just never got talked about again.

Hailing from Essex, and the peaceful village of East Hanningfield, the incomparable James R Hearn is back in Norfolk. A familiar face to those who’ve been coming to Potters for decades, he originally joined the entertainment team at Hopton-on-Sea in the late 90s, bringing his brand of humour to the party alongside Mark Brewer, Buzby Allen and more.

James performing with Twitch and Mark Brewer in the Potters Theatre Company’s 2024 Christmas production

“I was young then, and I always wanted to try different things. After a great few years at Potters, I went away and just did different shows, different tours, cruising, international cabaret. I’d take almost every opportunity that was offered because you never know when it’s going to be your last. That was my outlook then, and probably still is now.”

It was during his second stint that he struck up his (in)famous bromance with Buzby and the pair quickly became ‘the faces’ of Potters’ growing social media community. From announcing fans of the month, to assisting the Phantom Flan Flinger, nothing was too absurd.

Character-Building

“Buz and I really nurtured new characters; they played a big part in our comedy duo. Some of them still make an appearance from time to time. My favourite was Moe de Lawn. While his name sounds French, he’s actually from Somerset with a proper thick accent. He’s a real expert on anything green-fingered, but nothing else.”

Just some of James’ alter-egos

And while James followed other opportunities in the years after the pandemic, he got a call last summer about returning once again.

“It was only supposed to be for 8 weeks, while Mark Brewer was getting his knee done. But then I stayed for the #SummerOfFun, and then for the festive season. We laugh in the shows about how I’ve claimed squatters’ rights. But I feel so happy to be back. It always feels like returning home to family.

“It’s a great privilege to work with this team. Some of whom I’ve known for decades, but also a lot of new talent like Matty, Jo B, Twitch too. We’ve all got different styles, personalities, humour, but this is such a great place to try different things. We have a lot of fun.”

Cracking a smile

In the life of James R Hearn, the most ridiculous of moments become his norm. He tells us endless stories with a mischievous glint in his eye, from being milked on stage dressed as a cow and riding the ‘Elfmobile’ spreading joy (and a lot of flour) around resort, to getting locked in a sack for over an hour on stage, during his ‘Elvis the Escapologist’ sketch.

Yes, yes, he’s caught in a sack. You knew where that one was going…

James (pictured with Twitch and nurses in the children’s ward) has been a regular visitor to James Paget University Hospital over the years

At the same time, you’ll often find him delivering presents to poorly children at the local hospital over Christmas, and making a fuss of the doctors and nurses that work there.

It’s fair to say James brings laughter to whomever he meets. Except, funnily enough, his partner…

“Yeah she doesn’t find me funny at all. If she’s watching me perform, she’s the one in the back that doesn’t get it. I don’t take it personally. I get her to watch all kinds of comedy and funny movies and there’s no reaction. 

“Interestingly enough, the only thing we laugh about is me trying to get her to laugh. I think she finds me irritating, but 2025 is going to be the year.”

But for James in his role of Entertainer, it’s far from just the humour that he loves.

Life on stage

“I love being involved in the evenings, whether it’s pre-show comedy, or late night music sets in the Garden Bar. I’ll sing anything from the 60s to the noughties. Rat Pack, Roy Orbison and Elvis, to George Michael and Robbie Williams – the real legends of music. It’s great when guests aren’t ready for bed and they come to sing along. We’ve had some great nights in there.

“But getting to perform alongside the Potters Theatre Company has been unbelievable. There is so much talent. I’ve been in Simply the Best for a while. An amazing show that always gets such a great reaction.

“More recently, I’ve done a lot of character work too, in Spotlight. For me, that’s what I love – playing a role. Whether it’s Fagan in Oliver!, Henry VIII in Six, Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Show, or King George III in Hamilton, I just love putting my own spin on them. I practice them at home, and it’s the most joy I’ve ever had on stage.”

James performing in Spotlight, with the Potters Theatre Company

Away from Potters

When not performing or entertaining, James is a keen fisherman, and he beams with pride when talking about his biggest catch (well, not quite a catch).

“Fishing is wonderful. I love it. It’s the escapism. On my birthday last year in Tenerife, I got hooked into a huge marlin, a fish of a lifetime. I never even knew they had marlin there. It took two miles of line off my rail and then jumped in the distance so I lost it. It was like that scene from Jaws, when the shark was pulling the boat along and it was filling with water. They estimated it was a 600-pounder. It was just incredible, even though I didn’t catch it.”

Plenty of time for that then in the months ahead, and as I mention activities on those warmer, longer days, James breaks into a smile.

“I don’t like the winter, or cold weather, or when it gets dark early. I like nice hot, sunny days, late evenings and not having to put on loads of layers, especially on the coast. Here in the summer, with the sun shining, the South Terrace, the beach right there, all the activities on the field, entertainment going on. It’s just nice being out there in the summer, isn’t it?

We couldn’t have put it any better ourselves James, and we’re delighted to have you back!