"This is something that has been really close to my heart"
Olivier Award-winning performer James Hameed has joined the line-up for RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent.
The concert celebrates Asian performers across musical theatre while raising funds for a scholarship at The Boury Academy.
Hosted by EastEnders star Nina Wadia, the concert will bring together established West End performers and emerging artists to celebrate Asian talent and improve access to professional arts training.
Best known for voicing Paddington in the hit musical in London’s West End, Hameed jointly won the Best Actor in a Musical prize at the 2026 Olivier’s, alongside his co-star Arti Shah, for their shared portrayal of Paddington Bear in Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre.
In the Savoy Theatre production, Hameed provides Paddington’s voice and remote puppetry, while also playing the Young Man.
Hameed’s other theatre credits include Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical, Be More Chill and Fiddler on the Roof.
He 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!”
Hameed joins a star-studded line-up featuring The Phantom of the Opera star Nadim Naaman, Hamilton‘s Roshani Abbey and Soophia Foroughi, who starred in Prince of Egypt, among others.
The concert will also feature three graduates from Guildford School of Acting and the Royal Academy of Music: Charlie Moscrop, Sameer Dhanjee and Shivaane Subash. The trio will make their West End stage debuts at the event.
RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent is produced by Aixa Amarante Productions in partnership with Dishoom. Audience members will receive a complimentary serving of Dishoom’s chai on arrival.
The concert continues RepresentAsian’s work to celebrate established Asian performers while creating opportunities for emerging talent.
Last year’s event funded the first RepresentAsian Scholarship, helping a young performer access professional arts training.
Through its fundraising, the initiative aims to support the next generation of performers and improve representation and inclusion across the musical theatre industry.
The concert will be held at Lyric Theatre on November 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are available now.
