Letters Live returns to the Royal Albert Hall this November in support of Arts Emergency

15^th July 2025

The editorial unit

The editorial unit

15 July 2025

The celebrated literary performance series Letters Live is set to return to the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 28^th November, marking another major outing for the event that champions the enduring power of the written word. This year’s edition will raise funds for Arts Emergency, a charity working to open doors for young people from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts and humanities.

Renowned for its surprise line-ups and eclectic mix of letters read aloud by acclaimed performers, Letters Live has captivated audiences since its launch in 2013. Each event is unique, with past editions featuring appearances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Stephen Fry, Gillian Anderson, Woody Harrelson and Thom Yorke. No two shows are alike, and neither the programme nor the guest readers are revealed in advance – part of the show’s irresistible appeal.

Letters selected for performance span centuries and genres, ranging from humorous exchanges to impassioned pleas, poignant reflections and historic declarations. Past shows have featured correspondence from figures such as Frida Kahlo, David Bowie, Gandhi, Janis Joplin, Charlotte Brontë and John Steinbeck, alongside lesser-known but no less powerful voices from history.

This year’s edition promises to maintain the tradition of surprise and emotional resonance, with actors, musicians and public figures breathing life into letters that speak across time and culture. As always, the evening will be about more than performance – it will be a celebration of human connection through language.

Arts Emergency, the event’s chosen charity partner, provides mentoring and guidance for young people hoping to pursue careers in the arts and humanities. Founded by Neil Griffiths and Josie Long in 2013, the organisation now supports over 1,800 individuals across London, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. Their partnership with Letters Live underscores a shared commitment to storytelling and access in the arts.

The event is presented in association with Montblanc, global sponsor of Letters Live since 2023, and continues a fruitful relationship with the Royal Albert Hall, which has hosted the event annually since 2018.

Pre-sale for Royal Albert Hall Friends and Patrons opens at 10am on Thursday 17^th July, with general sale from Friday 18^th July via the Royal Albert Hall website. Tickets range from £20 to £105.

The editorial unit
Photo: Courtesy of the Royal Albert Hall

Letters Live is at the Royal Albert Hall from 28^th November 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.