1 "What has Sir Ian McKellan, Keith Chegwin, Bob Hope have in common? Nothing in the widder world, but to me they mean something. I at first decided to get back into acting big time in 2022, at a firm commitment after one job closed, and another door opened.
I have been an archaeologist most of my life; well ruined in a part - or a great degree due to predilection to do with OCD. But one doubt has always been their, echo's of something else. And the words of my grand-dad (Noah); who lived to the wise age of 94, "you will be somebody important one day, but it won't be in my life time". That reader has infact haunted me. Why didn't he come out with it and say as an archaeologist or actor? Because that is what he saw day in day out in me. Was the purchasing of a piece of Roman roof-tile in 1980 at the Glan-y-mor Roman site, the start of a course of passion or was it the pre-emptive strike not to become an actor?
Eating toast dripping with butter on a 125 train coming back from London in the early 1980s! A memory of the visits to the big smoke, a city of adventure, and a connection with the unknown.
I became inspired as a young archaeologist by Colin Langford a cattle farmer at Hollybush Farm. The inspiration came via him stating he had worked recently as an extra, herding his cattle onto a boat that was used by a film about Christopher Columbus landing in america in 1492.
In many ways most of us perform in that school play in the infants and junior school. The two that I can remember was the one about the Navy, and dressing like a sailor; alas not like a pirate - just a sailor from the 1980s. Then their was the one about the nativity, and I think I played one of the shephard's; mind you Jesus would have been better, as my father is a carpenter. A baby with a say and chisel you can see it now.
FIRST APPEARANCE ON TV I must have been with my grandparents and it was the Sunday 14th February 1988 (series 10) sometime in the middle of the afternoon, the Antiques Roadshow was at City Hall in Cardiff. I decided to try and photo bomb, and yes, I did appear in the background whilst they were examining an artefact. I saw myself on TV when it happened months later.
You, my reader, my fan will see this added to everytime you read this, as my memory since the fog of archaeology lifts, brings backs things, that had I thought been lost; just like an artefact that travel down sewage system of past ages. One such story was that chap in the British Museum. The year was something like 1986, and I was in the first year of the comprehensive school, and it was an excursion for the day to Techniquest, and the British Museum. Don't go off Mr. Langford I was warned by the RE teacher. And yes I did go off, and after a look at the bog body of Lindow man, and a few other gems, a security guard asked me over for a chat, and he was inspirational. I spoke with him about archaeology, and he started saying some encouraging words that to be blunt, 'lived with me'. Those words were to get yourself know, and get the word out there. When I get back, write to radio stations, and send them letters, get known, I thought it was because of the love of archaeology, but know looking back I believe he meant as an actor. As my memory reopens, the same guard said to me, "never hero worship with those famous people around them, afterall they are normal people like you".
Why Don't You! the first time I turned down going on TV. The year was I believe 1991, and had a letter from Why Don't You, to see if I wanted to go on the show with a little gang talking and exploring an archaeological site, but couldn't find a 'gang'.
Had a letter read out on TV, about the TV series Down to Earth. I was defending the program against negative reviews in the media.
Those words of my mum, "we should put you for amateur dramatics, and that's where that ended! " My mum to my knowledge only mention this once. Personally I was petrified of going on the stage, but in the Comprehensive school in year two that was all to change. A history teacher and a school play would change the order of things. Now that history teacher, Mr. Malcolm Eugene Phillips, was my history teacher for most of my 7 years at the Barry Boys Comprehensive. He taught me after lessons how to present a public lecture. For the second year of comprehensive school; the all boys school, we were in the middle school. I was asked by the Music teacher to prepare a sound recording the next week, I wondered on the weekend how this should be. I had a little sound box, and a tape recorder, and a spare tape. Over the weekend I recorded from what I can remember a warfare type program. On the Monday I brought the tape in, it sounded good, and I placed lots of accents into it. The teacher after playing it in class, said it was racist and destroyed the tape. Overnight I ditched any ideas to become an actor, 'yet again'; as it will turn our a reoccurring theme. In 2023, I have finally sought some kind of therapy, where I am being told I have a level of self hatred, and I should stop blaming myself and feeling guilty. "It is not your fault James, you were a child!"
Through all this is my earlier years pre-comprehensive school, my grandparents Noah and Phyl's had a part to play in all this. I do remember being taken to the Barry Island Butlins, in the 1980s and being introduced to theatre performances. But, very sadly my my memory of what we watched is very vague, but I am pretty sure that comedians of the day also performed. This was very interested for me, and I can say the performances did not bore me.
My parents used to have paying guests staying in the house. My memory on this specific entry is sketchy, but it may have been around 1987. I was attempting to write a book on my mothers old Remington typewritter; now this thing was old. It was a book, copied from other books on British history. A chap staying in the room next to me, for some reason told me I need to go to a specific acting school. Why I thought, as I wasn't talking much about being an actor, or indicated anything to that effect at all.
If your reading this, then I would like to introduce the School play I wrote, directed, produced and performed in... The Christmas Carol that went wrong.... More when you sign in next. Thankyou in advance. How did the Christmas play actually anifest itself? Afteral, if you knew me back then I was just into local history and archaeology.
The years went by, an adventure with a reenactment group, the Third New York.I met Chris and Mike, I soon learnt never to look down a barrel of a gun. Wandering around fields dressed up as a soldier from 1776 had a certain appeal; I had wished to be part of an American Civil War Confederate group, but the grey uniform of 1776 had an appeal. The time was the year 1990 until 1994, that I dabbled as a re-enactment soldier. We visited lots of locations, and the most frightening will always be Bolsover castle, at night that is one hum dinger of a haunted house. Although this was 'living history; reenactment'; I did occasionally find myself filmed. One occasion it was for a school project, and I drummed and sang to the amusement of Robin, a fellow re-enactor who could indeed perform when called upon.
What was I doing signing up for the free postal New Theatre magazine. Did I have any intention of going to any of these productions? My heart was telling me something, to what I don't know. I had aswell written to Pinewood studios, to see what the latest was with the Carry On films, and had a reply.
1989 This was my first connection with a real Hollywood star. Museum for Barry the video and Bob Hope. We organised with the local stage school (Olive Guppy), two fundraising events at the Barry Memorial Hall.
1991 A film was made with me as a record of local history. I recorded some locations, and conversations with local historians, about the history of Barry.
1992 The general election, and a TV broadcast. I arranged for the school to be part of the BBC Youth election program, shadowing the General election. I was the Liberal Democrat Party candidate, and I had filmed a party broadcast for the students of the school to watch. I felt it didn't go well. The real thing for me what that the election at the school was mentioned on the BBC as part of children's news.
My dad's uncle Colin Langford, had told me that he had worked on one of the Columbus celebratory films, moving cattle onboard a ship, and being filmed. So someone in the family who had made it on the big screen, and inspiring.
I had so so many interests, such as coin collecting, graphology, dream analysis, yoga, learning Welsh, conservation, stamp collecting and naturally the passion for archaeology and so much more. Even to the extent of going ahead and organising a project to Cyprus in late 1993. I felt I could do anything, but my OCD was effecting my decision making.
1994 In my last year with the reenactment group I was involved with the battle of Flowers event on Jersey. The important point here is that on the last night we stayed at the building where they had once filmed Bergerac. I slept in one of the offices upstairs, and bathed in a bathroom; that had probably been used by the cast. Well thats my story and unless someone tells me different, I'm sticking too.
1994 A blue coat at Ffontygary caravan park. This must have been my first professional gig as an entertainer. That time I met Keith Chegwin. Keith was doing a breakfast show, and as it happens I was working as a Blue coat at the Fontygary Park. I believe I was working there at the end of April 1994 and the film crew were down. We had to do a beach type seen on the grass, as their was no beach near by... It was a very wet day, and I was dressed as a Crocodile. It was only after I met Keith dressed as said animal, and asked him for an autograph. 1994 I went on a few trips to Glastonbury with various friends. On one such trip James; one of the friends, we met a women called Chris coming down from the Tor. Chris wanted to return back to Cymru with us. She travelled back and stayed with me at my parents house for a few nights. Chris inspired me to sing. She was a professional singer from the states. I did keep in touch with her for a while, via postcards.
My first radio interview was a whirlwind, I went with my dad to the Llandaf studios.
1997 Strang the Strong the entertainer was to be a guest at my wedding. I had been entertained by his days at Cosmeston Medieval Village in the mid 1980s. This was also to be an interview topic with me with Owen Money at BBC Radio Wales.
The Brian Davies, and Dr. John Davies with me, that BBC Wales could not broadcast about CADW.
2000s FOOTBALL DAYS: The severe OCD that afflicted my children, my wife and I, didn't always win. In the early 2000s, I went with friends James, occasionally took one or two of my children to watch Mark Hughes team Cymru, with players like Dean Saunders, Gary Speed, John Hartson, Craig Bellamy, Nathan Blake and the like. And I did meet John Hartson, and spoke with Nathan Blake on the Real Radio football phone in.
I truly believed I had an idea for the Jonathan Ross show which was huge in these years on the BBC. Jonathan introduced so many new music acts to the world, such as the Scissor sisters and Franz Ferdinand; well they were new to me. I thought maybe an archaeological excavation on stage whilst he did his show, would be a great backdrop.
I had applied to be on Time Team as one of its diggers in 2003. I placed on their database. I didn't get anywhere. Until later that year; 2003, I had a phonecall, the name was not familiar to me. The name was Simon Raikes. I was asked by Simon if I was interested in appearing on Time Team's Big Dig that summer. I truly was confused by this, whether I believed this was a genuine call or not, or did I doubt myself. What ever my feelings, I did not have the confidence to say yes, to Simons request. Something I always totally regretted. Simon with a 'no', from me wanted a name of an archaeologist who may wish to appear, so I told Simon a name, 'Steven Clarke MBE, Monmouth Archaeology. He did call Steven, and was a regular on the show. Simon called me two weeks later, and thanked me for introducing him to Steve. I realised the mistake I had made, one I could not reverse. This had been a genuine call.
2004 a TV series that nearly was. BBC TV Scotland nearly commissioned it. More to come!
Jacobs Ladder, I didn't push it. Another lost opportunity.
2007 Lowest eb of my life: Before everything in my life went for a serious nose dive on 25th January 2007, I spoke to an unemployment advisor, who exclaimed that they would help me in entertaining. And this advise was based on what?
2008 Witney. Witney was an american girl living over here, who I had met at a Pagan Federation event on the Gower, that I was speaking at. She was interested in archaeology. This was a women, that was very much at University into script writing and acting. This is something that she introduced me too, but I regret at the time not take much of an interest in Witneys work. After a short stormy relationship on my part, Witney continued her successful life without me.
At the year 2011 this digest stops...
2008 Youtube has been a massive way in. I'm a celebrity. That meeting with David Tennant.
IF YOUR READING THIS CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY ACTING WORK? NOW - Got to be more positive. Reposting all my Pirate videos, and upping it. Found a new possible agency! 30th August 2023 - the sense of utter vulnerability, and totally no sign of any acting work 5th August 2023- Kevin Spacey, not guilty, sense at last. But a week on The Stage newspaper, have almost removed the story to footnote, since he has been found not guilty. But, it would have been front page if guilty. Do I continue to subscribe, if this is woke press? 25th July 2023 -Last week was a very traumatic week. I learnt more about who I am. The itch to act, is mixed in with a changing self, so who ever I act as, I should be ready 7th July 2023 - It is a struggle at this moment trying to connect, have undertaken one online audition recently 15th June 2023 - Acting is a waiting game, but keeping pro-active, so book writing and Youtube at the mo. 31st May 2023 - Use media to talk and create the story.Do I need an acting CV and new photographs. 20th May 2023 - Reflection. Actually The Stage, has been useful, and have had several conversation with its staff, lets be positive now and start seeing the wonderful world that is around me at present. Started book writing on my 8th book, and still having a sell out book in 2022, is still a big thing. 14th May 2023 -I bumped into a finely dressed gentleman a few days ago that has now moved to Cymru from London. He was a friend of Lionel Bart, and was very surprised when I said I had only just received my first copy of THE STAGE, "you have never seen a copy of Stage before, where have you been?" It says it all I had for the past decade, not been in the right world for actors 5th May 2023 - Don't fall in love being an actor. In my case in 2015, it screwed up my career, and it is taking time getting back to that breakthrough I was near. A mixture of The Stage newspaper, bottles in the sea, Youtube and TikTok may do it. My advice to any one reading this, getting work online is dead 30th April 2023-Sat here with my beautiful friend, a Turkey called Baldrick. Decision yesterday to push more into my book writing, as I await a copy of The Stage newspaper to find some acting work, the internet is NOT THE PLACE to find work in acting 25th April 2023-Since I will not be taking up being a Street performer this year, and my acting agent being completely useless, with nothing positive coming from everything I am doing: Spotlight, Mandy, this website, IMBDpro, Buzzsprout, Covoco, then there is my TikTok and YouTube, what am I todo? Its now setting a form of depression into my soul 17th March 2023 - Coming out as an actor with OCD, yes Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour, may be a career killer, but it's on you, if you can't accept reading this that I have OCD, then I don't need you in my life. But accept who I am, and enjoy what I can offer the world, then you are a friend for life; and their are few of you.Thanks, Karl-James Langford
20.5,2023 Belief is part of the path to enlightenment 5.5.2023 Are the gods going to shine on my soul? 24.4.2023 Someone help me! 24.2.2023 A response from a bottle in the sea? What was the discussion? Watch this space.
8.2.2023 Meet The Adebanjos season 3 episode 16 find me in the Role of the Anarchist. Finally added as a credited actor on IMBD.
19.1.2023 Message in a bottle, a new way of promotion
4.1.2023 It's great to be added to the Casualty cast list finally for an episode in 2016