★★★★★ "A story of ordinary people dealing with themselves and each other in extraordinary times... 'Jab' is going to be the COVID related play against which all others are measured" London Theatre 1
★★★★★ "This is a timely play, not only capturing a unique period of very recent history but also in it’s observations about the rather more familiar situation of a long term relationship falling apart, and the strains lockdown put on so many people who found themselves unexpectedly trapped with their partners" Jack The Lad
★★★★ "McDermott has painstakingly crafted a snapshot into our recent history in a play that feels scarily relatable... If plays about the pandemic are somewhat inevitable, may they all be as sensitive and sensational as 'Jab'. Brilliantly written and wonderfully acted, Jab is a thought-provoking and powerful piece of theatre that, like the first lockdown, I’m sure will be back for another stint soon" All That Dazzles
★★★★ "In capturing one household’s experience of lockdown, McDermott has successfully captured the mood of the nation. This is an accomplished piece of writing, deftly delivered by the cast and director. ‘Jab’ is a Covid-era defining play" Theatre Weekly
★★★★ "McDermott's unique two-hander follows the breakdown of a relationship, and society, in tandem... The personal and the panoramic are mirrored effortlessly and it is impossible to remain unaffected by McDermott's writing... The words crackle with meaning, but so do the silences. “Jab” is a compelling black comedy. I definitely urge you to catch it" Spy In The Stalls
★★★★ "The pandemic stress-tested many relationships as people were forced to isolate together. McDermott explores how a couple’s reality can be turned upside down, their marriage going from one of acceptance to love-hate, through outright loathing and then resolving into a sort-of-love as the situation takes a dramatic turn. 'Jab' has the power to resonate with all"North West End UK
★★★★ “McDermott manages to fit the complex emotions that many of us are still trying to process into a deft and memorable 75 minutes… an important and timely reminder of the impact of COVID on our lives and our relationships” Everything Theatre
★★★★ "A play steeped in accuracy from a period in our lifetime that we hopefully never experience again" Theatre & Arts Review
★★★★ "A finely written account of a marriage falling apart under the strains of lockdown" Reviews Gate
★★★★ "This is timely reflection of the individuals behind the statistics that are coming to define Covid" Morning Star
★★★★ "Dark and comedic in all the right places" Theatre & Tonic
"McDermott captures the peculiar rhythms of lockdown – bursts of activity amid ennui - and snappy dialogue captures fond familiarity curdled into contempt... A well sketched portrait of a couple brought to the brink" The Guardian
"A short simple searing reminder of what happened to us during the pandemic; a sometimes bitingly amusing portrait of a long-term couple unravelling and an elegy for those who didn't come back" The Telegraph theatre critic Dominic Cavendish (via Twitter)
* Acid's Reign (Vault Festival, March 2023)
★★★★★ "McDermott's plot is clever and funny... Acid's Reign is one of the best drag shows I've seen and stands out as a highlight of Vault Festival" Centre Stage
★★★★ "This is a fun and funny show with an important message" The Reviews Hub
"Acid's Reign is a very well written and funny play that succeeds in convincing its audience that the climate crisis is also a queer crisis" All That Dazzles
"A brilliant show - funny, informative, entertaining and a feast for the eyes" Get The Chance
"A cleverly written piece which brings an important topic to a well-receiving audience" Lost In Theatre Land
*
The Birds and The Bees (New Wolsey/East of England Tour, April/May 2022)
★★★★★ "Razor-sharp steamy and sexually charged comedy" WhatsOnStage
"A gentle piece about love, lust, family and farming. This comedy is as sweet as honey... the cast are the bees knees" The Times
"This is one of the best shows I have seen for a long time and I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up touring the UK" Eastern Daily Press
"The Birds and The Bees showcases everything wonderful about Norfolk and its people" Norfolk Live
"The audience were laughing along from start to end" Ipswich24
*
Robin Good: The Politico Panto (Norwich Playhouse, December 2021)
"The success of Robin Good lies in its uniquely queer perspective. It’s clear that non-LGBT+ writers would have likely not been able to strike the balance between the silly, sometimes crude humour of the panto and the raw political conflicts the show clearly wanted us to think about. Ultimately, it felt that everyone had left the show with something on their mind, something to think about other than just the jokes. I would call that a tremendous success on the writer’s part" Norwich Radical
"A 90 minute romp of wry non-stop gags from the acerbic pen of James McDermott, Robin Good becomes a delightful, if slightly tongue-in-cheek, view of the modern world as viewed from the perspective of us Norfolk Wokels... poking fun at our parochiality, our poor public transport links and our patchy mobile phone reception" Outline Magazine
"A clever storyline by James McDermott, great songs and a talented cast of just four who work their socks off... There are plenty of local gags and lots of favourite panto fun. It certainly makes you think about how society has and is changing and yes, our traditional cultural outlets need to reflect this. It’s panto - but possibly not as you know it!" Lynn News
"An alternative panto wrapped around a political leadership battle, whilst being LGBTQ inclusive... ninety minutes of politically infused witty satire, local humour and diversity" Grapevine Live
*
Time and Tide (Park Theatre London, February 2020)
"Catch it if you can. So moving, funny, truthful and compelling. Beautifully performed by a wonderful cast of four superb actors" Stephen Fry
"Must see if you like anything that is simply truthful and real. No flashiness, just life. I love that stuff and don't think there's enough of it about" Ella Bruccoleri, Call The Midwife
"Wonderful. Do not miss" Miriam Margoyles
"Great show. Check it out people" Vinegar Strokes, star of RuPaul's Drag Race UK
★★★★★ "One of the best pieces of new writing I have seen in the last few years. Although it sensitively focuses on LGBT themes it resonates with us all in thinking about our human relationships and how we share our innermost feelings and recognise when to move on" Pocket Size Theatre
★★★★★ "A very amusing look at the need to be loved on all levels - straight, gay and lesbian - whilst trying to conform to society; and that friendship is imperative as a means for survival. Well worth a watch; a splendid ensemble piece" Boyz Magazine
★★★★ "A cosy kind-hearted portrait of small town adolescent angst. Time and Tide will resonate with anyone who’s experienced the tribulations and frustrations of being a young person (queer or otherwise) in a small town. It’s a sweet, well-meaning and instantly likeable play, perfect for blowing away the winter blues" QX Magazine
★★★★ "It’s always good to see a new talent emerging and in James McDermott that is clearly and pleasingly what we have. McDermott has a clear understanding of the everyday lives, concerns and speech rhythms of people living and working in a town that is slowly closing in and simultaneously closing down.Heartfelt and, at times, heart rending as it examines the hidden lives of four inhabitants of a British seaside town towards the end of the summer season" Sardines Magazine
★★★★ "Time and Tide is a heart-warming story with bags of charm. With a great script full of laughs, well-rounded characters and brilliant acting, it’s certainly worth a watch. As Bernard Matthews would say, it’s bootiful" From Page To Stage
★★★★ "McDermott writes sensitively about the conflicts between moving on to pastures new and staying at home with familiar surroundings. In part, the play is an homage to a dying part of England, one that is being swept away by a tide of globalisation, but it finds parallels on a more intimate level by delving into its characters’ torn affections as they face up to personal change... Touching, truthful, funny and well worth spending time on" The Reviews Hub
★★★★ "This is a humorous and moving portrayal of trapped lives, and the battle between stability and craving a better future. It is peppered with brilliant one liners and moments of poetic excellence" Theatre News
★★★★ "A poignant story representing the crumbling of England’s seaside towns, where big chain stores are swallowing up the smaller, independent, but more community-based shops. A delightful play... Catch it if you can" The Morning Star
★★★★ "Full of fun but suffused with sadness, Time and Tideeffectively and affectionately summons the spirit of Cromer: there’s life in the old town yet. A warm hearted tale of seaside love and ambitions" Everything Theatre
★★★★ "Touching comic drama examining the lives of a Norfolk community struggling with change. Very funny play with just the right touches of pathos when required" LondonTheatre1
★★★★ "Time and Tide captures these sleepy small-town characters and shows us their hopes, realities and dreams. A small, detailed and touching play, it astutely balances its humour with moments of tension and quiet revelation" Unrestricted Theatre
*
Time and Tide (East Of England Tour, September/October 2022)
“It’s an engaging and emotional tale, and one we can all empathise with" Cultivated
“It’s a charming tale based in Norfolk that will entertain you and make you think at the same time” Norfolk Local Guide
“Whether you are Norfolk born and bred, from over the border in Suffolk or Essex, or perhaps like me, simply a big fan of James McDermott’s work, check your almanacs and pencil Time and Tide into your diary” Outline
"Time and Tide was written by the brilliant James McDermott, who has proved himself again and again in writing beautiful stories... As a queer person myself who grew up in a small rural community, the story between the characters Daz and Nemo left me feeling utterly raw. As the lights dimmed at the end of the production, I felt like I had experienced something truly powerful" Norwich Live
*
Rubber Ring (Pleasance Islington, October 2016; UK Tour; 2017-2019)
★★★★★ "There are few things I've enjoyed more than Rubber Ring" London City Nights
★★★★★ "McDermott is an emerging talent in total control of his craft" Boyz Magazine
★★★★ "This solo performance is electrifying… a charming, witty and engaging piece of theatre that will amuse and arrest it’s audiences” Scatter Of Opinion
★★★★ “A humorous look at rural England and the challenges facing LGBT teens who live far away from the big city" Carns Theatre Passion
★★★★ "A sensitively told tale of a young man finding his place in the world” West End Wilma