DARBY JAMES is a storyteller and songwriter born in Manchester UK, raised in Canberra (Ngunnawal country) and based in Naarm/Melbourne (Boonwurrung country).

His theatre writing includes Post: A New Musical (Something Blue Productions, 2019), Songs of the Northern River (The MC Showroom Hatchery Sponsorship 2019), Tied Up With Strings (Hope New Works, Development 2020), Protein (Autonomous Inventions), Westberg (co-writer Clancy Fraser, Hope New Works, Development 2021), and Little Squirt (previously “Spunk Daddy” Antipodes Winter Lab 2022 & Autonomous Inventions 2023). Darby hosts occasional musical comedy nights at The MC Showroom as a testing ground for new material

Darby is currently developing Send Nudes, A New Musical with co-writer Domenica Garrett. 

​AWARDS:
• Young Canberra Citizen of the Year: Multimedia and Arts (2013)
• Best Cabaret at Melbourne Fringe 2023 (Spunk Daddy / Little Squirt)
• Edinburgh Touring Award at Melbourne Fringe 2023 (Spunk Daddy / Little Squirt)
• Outstanding Writing, Green Room Awards 2024 (Spunk Daddy / Little Squirt)
• Outstanding Production, Green Room Awards 2024 (Spunk Daddy / Little Squirt)