– Benefitting The King’s Trust –
In celebration of the enduring power of literary correspondence, Damian participated in this year’s sold-out Letters Live show on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, in London. Proceeds from ticket sales were donated to The King’s Trust, a charity Damian is an ambassador and patron of that supports young people, helping them develop skills for jobs and their future. The King’s Trust celebrates its 50th year in 2026.
In Act One, Damian read We’re Terrible Animals by Bob Andenmatten to Berkshire Eagle. In Act Two, Damian read I Have Never as Yet Wronged Any English or Dutch by Henry Every to all commanders. The latter recounted the story of an English sailor who, in 1694, led a mutiny and remade himself as a pirate captain.
Other participants included singer Bea Wheeler of Bea and her Business, James Corden, Meera Syal, Sophie Hunter, Louise Brealey, Robert Rinder, Captain Aseem Hashmi, Shaun Usher, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Jones, Dominic West, Dame Harriet Walter, Sharon Small, and more.
Uniformed Cunard bell boys and girls welcomed guests to a champagne reception before the show.
The evening began with a letter of thanks to The King’s Trust organization written by a grateful parent who explained how its programmes supporting young people had been transformative for her son. One reading that had the audience engrossed – Captain Aseem Hashmi read a historical letter penned by King George VI to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ahead of the D-Day landings, as concerns grew amongst the establishment of Churchill’s risky plans to set foot on the French Coast. Sound familiar? Hello Dick Winters and Easy Company of Band of Brothers 🙂
The distinguished performers brought extraordinary letters, written at sea and beyond, to life, capturing the emotion, wit, and humanity of correspondence across time and how it continues to connect people across distance and generations. The readers drew inspiration from the calmness of sea travel and the human need to stay connected across oceans during voyages. There were gasps of delight and awe as each new reader was unveiled that evening.
For more information, visit Letters Live website.