Actor and author Celia Imrie CBE, widely celebrated as a beloved national treasure, joins the cast alongside acclaimed actor Denise Gough, and actor and poet Lucas Jones.

In this special event, Shaun Usher – bestselling author of Letters of Note and founder of the live series, and cultural phenomenon, Letters Live – brings Diaries of Note to the stage.  A cast of acclaimed performers reads from a remarkable collection of diary entries, spanning centuries and offering windows into lives both extraordinary and everyday. Olivier Award-winning actors Celia Imrie CBE, Denise Gough, and actor and poet Lucas Jones join the line-up, with more to be announced.*

Few things offer a more intimate glimpse into a life than a diary. Across time and place, people have turned to the page to record fleeting moments, and to capture personal thoughts, feelings and comments from their inner world, not intended for public consumption.

From the private reflections of figures such as Nelson Mandela and Frida Kahlo, to lesser-known voices whose words are no less affecting, these fragments of lived experience reveal moments of vulnerability, humour and quiet revelation.

Thoughtful, moving and often unexpectedly funny, the evening offers a rare opportunity to encounter the written self – and to reflect on the value of recording our own lives.

Recommended age: 16+

*Please note that all artists appear subject to availability. Artists listed are correct at time of publication. In the unlikely event that an artist needs to cancel, we reserve the right to amend the lineup without notice, and no refunds will be due.

This event is part of the 2026 Chelsea Arts Festival.