Senbla and Roast Productions, in partnership with Comic Relief, have announced a brand-new festive show, Christmas Actually, curated by Richard Curtis and directed by Daniel Raggett, which will run at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall from 7-11 December.

A festive feast for the senses, this witty and enchanting evening will capture all of the fun and laughter of Christmas through a treasure trove of entertainment. Family and friends are invited to come together for the ultimate Christmas variety show with a celebrity line up performing live music, Christmas stories, poetry and comedy.

Through a partnership with Comic Relief, Christmas Actually is excited to be using the power of entertainment to help raise funds for the charity during the festive period. Richard Curtis is co-founder of Comic Relief, and the charity has raised over £1.5 billion to support projects that tackle poverty in the UK and around the world during that time.

Richard Curtis said: “I hope this will be the perfect Christmas show: noisy and emotional, and full of surprises and jokes with some proper celebrity sparkle. And I know it will help support brilliant projects changing people’s lives, both in the UK and around the world, 365 days a year.”

Unfolding against a beautiful backdrop of live illustrations from some of the world’s most well-known artists and illustrators, the evening will feature some of the finest Christmas classics performed by a live band, powerful real-life stories and moving poetry brought to life by the multi-talented cast. With many more surprises to be revealed, in the true spirit of Christmas, the evening would not be complete without some brilliantly terrible Christmas cracker jokes read by celebrities on screen, children’s hilarious letters to Father Christmas and a good old-fashioned singalong. Full cast, creative team and celebrity guests to be announced.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on 19 July here, with a percentage of ticket sales going to Comic Relief to support projects changing lives across the UK and around the world.