Letters Live in Association with Cunard at Southbank Centre

In an age where people are simultaneously more connected than ever online and more disconnected than ever in life, the art of letter-writing seems a long way off. The idea of putting pen to paper to communicate one’s thoughts or feelings to someone else is seldom considered, oftentimes viewed as impractical or inefficient in the wake of technological advancements that allow for immediate social contact. Yet Letters Live in Association with Cunard brings the lost art of letter-writing to the forefront, offering a hopeful reminder of the power a letter can hold.

Having graced London’s stages for the first time in 2013, Letters Live is now in its 13^th year of running. Every iteration sees a new and surprising cast of celebrated guest performers reading out a series of literary correspondence. Set over two acts, the letter-reading covers spans a wide range of time periods and is broken up by musical interludes – with stellar performances this year from artists Laura Mvula and Bea and her Business.

The lineup for Letters Live is never revealed ahead of time, resulting in a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation on the eve of the performance as audiences wait to see which household names will appear on-stage before them. 2026’s star-studded lineup of readers included Benedict Cumberbatch, Louise Brealey, Damien Lewis, Harriet Walter, Dominic West, and Rob Rinder, among many other well-known figures.

The letters performed covered a vast range of topics – from apologies from a woman to her mother-in-law for emitting a foul smell while trapped in the car together, to a goodbye letter from a man lost in the Arctic, certain of his death – and tones, from riotously funny to tenderly touching. Some correspondences are those of ordinary people, writing on ordinary, relatable topics: a letter from a disgruntled customer to their unhelpful bank, for example (Your humble client, read by Benedict Cumberbatch). Others are those of well-known historical or literary figures.

Two particular highlights were Louise Brealey’s warm performance of author Vita Sackville West’s emotive letter to Virginia Woolf, What Will Happen When It’s All Over, Do You Think? and Rob Rinder’s poignant rendition of American poet James Schuyler’s letter I’m Terribly in Love With You, written to painter John Button. The letters’ touching sentiments are only enhanced through the affection with which they are performed, serving to restore a sense of optimism about humanity’s capacity for connection and remind audiences of the emotive power of self-expression.

Overall, Letters Live in Association with Cunard is an evening of humour and heartfelt sentiments, which will leave you in awe of the scope of both human emotions and words in the English language.