Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain’s best-loved actors, whose credits include Downton Abbey, W1A and the Paddington films.

Now, join him for this exclusive live event as he shares compelling stories and anecdotes from his life and career to celebrate the publication of his memoir Playing Under the Piano – from plotting to dispose of his big sister at the age of seven, to working alongside an invisible bear with a penchant for marmalade.

In conversation, Hugh paints a brilliantly vivid picture of a career on stage and screen, taking us through his break as Third Shepherd in the school nativity play, navigating Highclere Castle’s complex Labrador policies, and mistaking a Hollywood star for an estate agent.

What is it like working with Judi Dench and Julia Roberts, or playing Robert de Niro’s right leg, or not being Gary Oldman, twice? Hugh talks with poignancy about his father’s dementia and of his mother, whose life in the secret service only emerged after her death.

A naturally gifted and uproariously funny storyteller, an evening with Hugh promises to be richly entertaining.

‘Utterly charming’ — Jack Whitehall