Richard Curtis curates Christmas Actually stage show for Comic Relief
- Festive stage show Christmas Actually will run at London's Royal Festival Hall from 7th to 11th December 2023
- The show is described as "a star-studded stocking full of live music and performance, Christmas stories, poetry and comedy"
- It'll raise money for Comic Relief. Richard Curtis says: "I hope this will be the perfect Christmas show: noisy and emotional, and full of surprises and jokes"
Christmas Actually, a festive stage show curated by Richard Curtis for Comic Relief, will run at London's Royal Festival Hall from 7th to 11th December.
The show is unconnected to the writer's 2003 movie Love Actually, but does use similar branding to the film's marketing posters.
Talking about the new stage show, the promoters say: "This ultimate Christmas show will feature a star-studded stocking full of live music and performance, Christmas stories, poetry and comedy whilst helping to raise money for Comic Relief.
"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.
"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."
The full cast, creative team and celebrity guests will be announced nearer the time.
Richard Curtis says: "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."
The promoters conclude: "Come and laugh and revel (and sometimes sing along) in a genuinely fun-for-all-the family celebration of all things Christmas!"
Tickets go on sale Wednesday 19th July at 10am from southbankcentre.co.uk