Olivier Award-winning performer Matt Henry MBE will host a star-studded evening of music and fundraising when The Actors House Christmas Songbook comes to London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre on 7 December 2026.
The festive concert will bring together leading West End performers including Beverley Knight MBE, Jess Folley and Oliver Tompsett, with further special guests set to be announced.
Created to support The Actors House, the social enterprise founded by Henry, the event aims to raise funds for safe, high-quality and affordable accommodation for touring actors and creatives across the UK.
The evening will celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with 12 performances, combining musical theatre favourites, festive classics and special guest appearances, with proceeds helping fund the organisation’s next property.
The Actors House was established in response to the growing accommodation challenges facing performers working on regional tours. Its first property, The Bradford House, opened in 2025 and provides affordable accommodation for touring theatre professionals.
Matt Henry MBE said: “Touring actors often pay for two homes: their permanent residence and the one they need on tour. Unlike most professionals who travel for work, actors are having to use their living wage to subsidise their accommodation. For performers spending weeks at a time away from home, rising costs can make touring roles unaffordable, and we risk losing a generation of talent before their careers have begun. The Actors House is working to change that.
“This December, I’m delighted to be joined by some of our most recognisable and talented performers for The Actors House Christmas Songbook, which will showcase the magic of theatre and raise awareness of the growing crisis facing our touring community.”
Actor and Actors House ambassador Ian McKellen said: “The theatre has been at the heart of my career, but we now face a crisis and need urgent support for touring actors to ensure that the joy of live theatre remains accessible to communities across the UK. I am delighted to support The Actors House, which is actively working on a solution to safeguard the future of our touring productions with the creation of safer, more affordable accommodation.”
Beverley Knight MBE added: “Our theatre community brings the soul and energy of live performance to audiences across the UK. For performers, touring productions offer an incredible learning opportunity, but we need to better safeguard our actors by improving access to accommodation to reduce the risks associated with living in an unknown location, particularly when leaving the theatre late at night.”
Alongside established stars, the concert will also provide opportunities for emerging performers, musicians and theatre professionals to gain experience and industry exposure.
Tickets range from £30 to £120 and go on sale on 19 October.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
