Special guests announced for Richard Curtis' CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY at Royal Festival Hall
The initial line-up has been revealed for Christmas Actually, a brand-new festive show curated by Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Blackadder) and directed by Daniel Raggett, at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall from 7-11 December.
Hosted by Jayde Adams (Greatest Days, Strictly Come Dancing) and Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE (Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at Number 42), the first special guests announced are Olivier award-winning musical theatre star Miriam-Teak Lee (&Juliet, Hamilton) and musical comedy duo Flo & Joan. Much loved Christmas classics featured in the show will include ‘Christmas, Baby Please Come Home’, ‘White Christmas’, ‘My Grown Up Christmas List’ and ‘All I Want For Christmas.' The ensemble performers will be Marc Antolin, Elizabeth Ayodele, Stephan Boyce, and Jamie-Rose Monk.
The band will include Russell Bennett (trumpet), Adam Bourne (guitar), Elliot Davis (keys), James Gambold (drums), Charles Rothwell (saxophone), and Tom Sansbury (bass).
The creative team for Christmas Actually includes set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Ben Rogers, sound by Oscar Thompson, projection design by Duncan McLean, and musical direction by Elliot Davis.
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 lineup performing live music, Christmas stories, poetry, and comedy.
In support of Comic Relief, Christmas Actually is excited to be using the power of entertainment to help raise funds for the charity during the festive period with 5% of net profits being donated to Comic Relief.
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. Further celebrity guests to be announced.
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