Blue Plaques Talk Back
Blue Plaques Talk Back returns to Chelsea Arts Festival following its riveting launch event at the festival in 2025. This unique, immersive, live show celebrates four iconic – or intriguingly overlooked – blue plaques, chosen specifically for their connection to the surrounding neighbourhood. The result is a performance of history and culture, brought vividly to life.
Mishal Husain, celebrated broadcaster, writer and journalist, will be in conversation reflecting on the legacy of one of the 20th century’s defining political figures, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India. Husain’s personal family history of the 1947 Partition of Pakistan and India is documented in her poignant memoir Broken Threads: My Family from Empire to Independence. The book traces the lives of her four grandparents during the fall of the British Empire.
Critically acclaimed comedian, TV presenter, and podcaster Nish Kumar joins the event to discuss the Blue Plaque of his idol Jimi Hendrix, the guitarist and songwriter whose influence on music endures to this day.
At each event, stories behind the plaques are transformed into short, dramatic performances by professional actors. These theatrical moments are then followed by in-depth, informal conversations with distinguished guests – figures whose lives or careers have been shaped, inspired, or touched by the individual commemorated on the plaque.
More speakers to be announced soon.
Last year Sir Stephen Fry joined Hannah MacInnes in conversation about Oscar Wilde, Dennis Morris on Bob Marley, Lyse Doucet on Martha Gellhorn, and Kathryn Hughes on George Eliot.
Blue Plaques Talk Back is produced by Storystock Sounds.
This event is part of the 2026 Chelsea Arts Festival.
Duration: approx. 1 hour 15 mins (no interval)
Ticket Information
£28.50, £22.50
A single £4.50 transaction fee applies to all online bookings (per order, not per individual ticket). Orders made in person at the box office are exempt from transaction fees. See booking information for details, payment methods and delivery options.
Check out the view from your chosen seat on our interactive seating plan.
Future events in this series
Chelsea Arts Festival 2026
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An Evening with Bernardine Evaristo & Friends
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Thursday 17 September 2026, 7.15pm
An evening exploring the richness of women’s writing, curated and hosted by one of the UK’s most celebrated writers and literary figures, Bernardine Evaristo, recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Outstanding Contribution Award. Bringi...
Blue Plaques Talk Back
feat. Mishal Husain, Nish Kumar and more
Friday 18 September 2026, 1pm
Blue Plaques Talk Back returns to Chelsea Arts Festival following its riveting launch event at the festival in 2025. This unique, immersive, live show celebrates four iconic – or intriguingly overlooked – blue plaques, chosen specifically for the...
A Poem for Every Night of the Year, 10 Year Anniversary
Allie Esiri & special guests
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Rambert: This is Rambert
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with Shaun Usher & special guests
Sunday 20 September 2026, 3.30pm
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An Evening with Bernardine Evaristo & Friends
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