Biographies

James Cundall

Chief Executive

In 1992, concurrent with his career in finance as Chief Executive of the Asian/Japanese business of Rothschild Asset Management, James founded Lunchbox Theatrical Productions in Hong Kong, which over the next six years created a reputation for presenting quality international productions such as Les Misérables and the acclaimed Alegría from Cirque du Soleil.  In 1998 the company expanded its reach, bringing David Helfgott in recital and Stomp to Singapore.

In 1999 James moved to Sydney to take up the role of Director of Arts and Entertainment for Australasia with IMG. He was responsible for over 30 productions in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia during his four years with IMG, including major musicals Chicago, Singin’ In the Rain, Cabaret, Oliver, Miss Saigon and Cats; shows such as Riverdance and Slava’s Snowshow; and concerts by Andrea Bocelli, Shirley Bassey, Ricky Martin, Dame Kiri te Kanawa and Bryn Terfel.

In 2003 James joined International Concert Attractions (ICA) in Sydney. ICA productions included The Blue Room, Hi 5, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Clive James and Pam Ayres. During James’ tenure ICA expanded its portfolio to include ice shows, major exhibitions and musicals, such as The Nutcracker on Ice, The Sydney and Melbourne Affordable Art Shows, The Full Monty and Saturday Night Fever.

James returned to the UK in 2004 to re-establish Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, which now has companies in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and The Philippines. It was at this time that he established The Imperial Ice Stars with fellow producer Tony Mercer.

Since 2004 Lunchbox Theatrical Productions has brought a wide array of live entertainment to audiences across five continents, with productions such as Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, We Will Rock You, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Stomp, Jamie Oliver, Elaine Paige, The Woman in Black, Circus Oz, Abba Mania, The 39 Steps and Thomas the Tank Engine as well as The Imperial Ice Stars’ productions of The Sleeping Beauty on Ice, Swan Lake on Ice and Cinderella on Ice.

2010 sees Lunchbox presenting Cats in Australia and Manila, a second world tour of The Imperial Ice Stars’ Swan Lake on Ice, Chicago in Singapore and Hong Kong, The Merchants of Bollywood and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit in Hong Kong, an Australian tour of West Side Story, Grease in New Zealand and Hong Kong, and Rick Stein in New Zealand.

As well as producing this portfolio of shows, James spent the first five months of 2010 based in Shanghai, as Producer of the outdoor Opening Ceremony of Expo 2010 Shanghai China, for David Atkins Enterprises.