Olivier Award-winning performer James Hameed has been announced as a special guest for RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent, which takes place at London’s Lyric Theatre on Monday 9 November 2026.
Hosted by EastEnders star Nina Wadia, the concert celebrates Asian talent across the musical theatre industry while raising funds for a scholarship at The Boury Academy.
Hameed is best known as the voice of Paddington in Paddington The Musical, for which he jointly won the 2026 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical alongside co-star Arti Shah. In the production, he provides the voice and remote puppetry for Paddington Bear while also appearing as the Young Man.
His previous theatre credits include Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical, Be More Chill and Fiddler on the Roof.
The event aims to champion access, diversity and inclusion within the industry by celebrating established performers while helping emerging artists take their first steps into professional theatre. Last year’s concert funded the first RepresentAsian Scholarship, supporting a young performer in accessing professional arts training.
Hameed joins a line-up that includes Nadim Naaman, Roshani Abbey, Soophia Foroughi, Hiba Elchikhe, Zheng Xi Yong and Mia Kobayashi. They will be joined by recent graduates Charlie Moscrop, Sameer Dhanjee and Shivaane Subash, who will perform on a West End stage for the first time.
Produced by Aixa Amarante Productions and presented in partnership with Dishoom, the evening will also offer complimentary servings of the restaurant group’s famous chai to audience members on arrival.
Commenting on his involvement, James Hameed said: “This is something that has been really close to my heart for a long time now, and I’ve always wanted to be a part of this group. It is going to be one of the biggest nights yet, celebrating the best of Asian talent in the West End and doing some amazing fundraising at the same time. I’m really looking forward to it!”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
