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Olivier Award-winning James Hameed, who originated the voice of Paddington in the West End hit musical, has joined the special guest line-up for RepresentAsian, a star-studded concert hosted by Nina Wadia. The event fundraises for a scholarship at The Boury Academy.

Olivier Award-winning performer James Hameed will appear as a special guest at RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent, celebrates Asian talent across musical theatre. The concert, hosted by EastEnders icon Nina Wadia, raises funds for a scholarship at The Boury Academy.

Hameed is best known as the voice of Paddington in the hit West End musical, a role that earned him an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, alongside his co-star and “Pawtner” Arti Shah. The pair share the role, with Hameed providing the voice and remote puppetry for the bear, while Shah plays the marmalade-loving bear on stage. His other theatre credits include Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical, Be More Chill and Fiddler on the Roof.

Commenting on the news, 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!‘

Book tickets to RepresentAsian

The line-up so far

Hameed joins a line-up that includes:

  • Nadim Naaman (The Phantom of the Opera, Rumi)
  • Roshani Abbey (Operation Mincemeat, Hamilton)
  • Soophia Foroughi (Aspects of Love, Prince of Egypt)
  • Hiba Elchikhe (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Titanique)
  • Zheng Xi Yong (Your Lie in April, American Psycho)
  • Mia Kobayashi (Your Lie in April, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line)

Founded by Ben Armstrong in 2021, RepresentAsian champions greater access, diversity and inclusion in the industry, raising awareness and vital funds for The Boury Academy, an organisation supporting young Asian performers with professional training opportunities. It brings together established West End performers and emerging artists, and gives the next generation the chance to follow in their footsteps.

Last year’s concert funded the first RepresentAsian Scholarship, which helped a young performer access professional arts training. This year’s event raises funds for a scholarship at The Boury Academy and is presented in partnership with Dishoom.

Plan Your Visit

  • Venue: Lyric Theatre
  • Booking dates: 9 November 2026
  • Running time: 2 hours 20mins (including interval)
  • Age guidelines: 8+

Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent and other shows:
Main photo: James Hameed, credit to Pamela Raith Photography

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