RepresentAsian: James Hameed joins Nina Wadia's Asian talent concert at the Lyric Theatre

RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent returns to the West End next month, and award winning musical star James Hameed has joined the line-up. The concert is hosted by EastEnders actor Nina Wadia and plays the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue on Monday 9 November 2026 at 7.30pm. See RepresentAsian dates and tickets.

Hameed was the first performer to provide the voice and remote puppetry for Paddington Bear in Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, a role that earned him a shared Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2026 alongside Arti Shah. His other stage credits include Just For One Day, 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!"

Who else is performing?

Hameed joins a line-up packed with West End credits. Nadim Naaman is known for The Phantom of the Opera and Rumi, and Roshani Abbey for Operation Mincemeat and Hamilton. Soophia Foroughi has appeared in Aspects of Love and The Prince of Egypt, while Hiba Elchikhe has starred in Everybody's Talking About Jamie and Titanique.

Zheng Xi Yong brings credits from Your Lie in April and American Psycho, and WhatsOnStage Award nominee Mia Kobayashi has been seen in Your Lie in April, 42nd Street and A Chorus Line.

The evening also looks to the future. Charlie Moscrop, Sameer Dhanjee and Shivaane Subash, all 2026 graduates of Guildford School of Acting and the Royal Academy of Music, will perform on a West End stage for the first time.

What is the concert raising money for?

Proceeds go towards the RepresentAsian Scholarship at The Boury Academy, which helps young performers of Asian heritage access professional arts training. Last year's concert funded the first scholarship, and its recipient, Anya, is now training at the academy thanks to the money raised on the night.

RepresentAsian was founded by casting director Ben Armstrong in 2021 to champion greater access, diversity and inclusion in the performing arts, and this is the eighth edition of the event. Last year's West End concert was staged in collaboration with Conrad Ricamora.

What else happens at the concert?

The concert is produced by Aixa Amarante Productions and presented with Dishoom, and audience members will receive complimentary chai on arrival. The creative team also includes graphic designer Tom Mann for Ghostlight Productions and Alex Kais of House of Kais, who leads on brands.

When and where is it?

It is a one night only event at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 9 November 2026, starting at 7.30pm. The running time is around 2 hours 20 minutes including an interval, the age guidance is 8 and over, and tickets are priced from £20.

Header image: official artwork