21 Sep 2026
Laura Bill heads back to school as James B Partridge’s national phenomenon arrives at the Alban Arena…
I tucked my shirt in, sat up straight and prepared myself for a sold-out Saturday night at the Alban Arena.
The stage is set up with a keyboard and a guitar, a line of pegs with rucksacks hanging from them, fortune tellers, and a desk. The lighting is fantastic and I am instantly transfixed from a weary, slightly grumpy woman clutching a reporter’s notebook to a smiley, happy version of myself I’ve not been too familiar with lately as I join hundreds of others in belting out the old classic ‘Love is Like a Magic Penny’.
It’s not instantly the kind of thing that springs to mind when you think of a brilliant night but honestly…trust me.
There is not an empty seat in the theatre. Probably more women than men but one guy behind me was with his three grown-up kids – one was a primary teacher – singing and dancing like there’s no tomorrow, almost from the off too.
Songs from school, Brownies and end-of-term parties are interspersed with narrative around what those times might have been like. Think Space Invaders, cans of pop. the ToysRUs advert, Argos catalogues, Now That’s What I Call Music 48 cassette tape, crop tops with ‘Groovy Chic’ embossed on the front and S Club 7’s Reach for the Stars. There are number songs – “the animals came in two-by-two”, creation songs – “From the tiny ant, to the elephant” and even a few sneaky pop classics from the school disco days.
James gets us to copy a line after him or sing a chorus of something and there is a booklet full of song words to ensure everybody can sing (if they want to). You will want to. It’s infectious.
James also performs a few surprises and little folk ditties and shares the amusing and sometimes inappropriate back-stories behind them. It’s very intelligently put together and although the songs are from childhood, the show is clearly devised for adults.
I think my absolute favourite was “If I were a butterfly” (remember that?) as I was taken right back to the eighties cross-legged on the floor in an itchy polyester sweatshirt.
“And I just thank you Father for making me me”…very affirming.
Then he led straight into a short burst of Shaggy with the entire crowd shouting “It wasn’t me!” at the right time.
He said: “I’m going to make you feel old right now because that song is 26 years old.”
He shows us Come and Praise and another school classic songbook which is perhaps lesser-known, The Alleluya Songbook. These were the backbone of every school assembly back in the day and just seeing the cover is a thing of wonder.
Morning has Broken was strangely satisfying to sing although I had never realised it had the lyrics “wet garden” in. A missed sniggering opportunity. The ones we laughed at mainly were of course “I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there?” And “they whipped and they stripped and they hung him on high (and left him there on the cross to die)”…
Memories came flooding back at Colours of Day and Autumn Days and I loved the harvest festival ones including the fruit and vegetable samba.
The equality and diversity propaganda song “The ink is black…the page is white…together we learn to read and write, to read and write,” also made its way into the set and Puff The Magic Dragon even got a mention. Which James assured us all was “definitely not about drugs”.
At a few points crewmember Alex – who tours with James – handed out percussive instruments to “reception” on the front few rows and again later as Liam Gallagher with a bucket hat and anorak on.
From teenagers to people in their seventies, it felt as if we all knew each other. That shared nostalgia of each of our individual experiences created a classroom that teachers up and down the country would be proud of.
Up in the stalls is a whole school of teachers who have come along together and quite a few others are dotted around.
James shared a song that he wrote for his schoolchildren during Covid when he was teaching online. It’s a really moving number that I imagine would have helped them feel less isolated. ‘It’s a great, great day to be here’ had actions for the kids to join in on – sing, sing, sing, tap, tap, tap, stamp, stamp, stamp, clap clap clap.
Talk of hating PE really resonated with me, especially cross country and the bleep test. I might not have always remembered my kit but I definitely remember all the song words from 40 years ago. It’s quite frightening really when you think what’s stored up in our subconscious minds.
The audience became a four-part choir singing in the round and might I say, we were very, very good. St Albans was in fiiiiine voice.
“That’s the best singing I’ve heard – all night,” James joked.
I knew I would enjoy it but I had no idea how amazing it would make me feel afterwards. The power of singing together, the sense of oneness and community created within a room of strangers was palpable in the sold-out auditorium.
Speaking to some of the audience members, Petra McMillan said: “I really loved the show. So nostalgic and special with little stories in between and so much to keep us all engaged. Something for everyone. What a talented guy James is!”
Ellie Catchpole said: “I would recommend this to people of all ages. I really enjoyed it. I have Come and Praise at home. Amazing night!!”
And Lois McIntyre added: “I’m really loving the energy in the room tonight. I’m 24 and most of the songs I know. I love the songbooks too – a great momentum.”
I have no doubt that James B Partridge is a showman of the highest order, a true musician and a creative genius.
The phenomenal energy and joy did not wane and this is probably testament to James’ teaching background. It is really hard to hold the attention of that many people for that long but he absolutely did.
Whether it’s standing up and sitting down during a song or the front few rows being given percussive instruments, a rendition of a well-know vintage TV advert or classic, the mix was perfect and the timing and pace was too. He must be worn out after each show.
The clapping and cheering at the end continued for several minutes and he got a standing ovation. Generously he came back on and did a couple more numbers.
It was the most fun I’ve had in years – captivating, feel-good, relaxing and cleverly crafted. Never have I seen an audience so transfixed.
Get yourself to one of Mr Partidge’s assemblies if you can.
You won’t be wasting your own time…
