Letters Live 2019: Union Chapel, London

Letters are a dying genre; that much is obvious. In an age where we can go almost anywhere in the world and never be more than a few touches of a button away from loved ones, enemies and tens of millions of complete strangers, there is little reason to write anything longer than a few phrases. Ironically, with such instant communication there is so much that never gets said.

Boasting more heavyweight A-listers than the average red carpet, Letters Live puts the art of letter writing back in the limelight. Stars read aloud from an inspiring selection of real life correspondence, conjuring intimate relationships, private moments and historical drama in rare detail through these little portals. The event is a favourite on the festival circuit and sells out whenever it comes to London. In March 2019, Letters Live returns to the historic and picturesque Union Chapel in Highbury & Islington.

Audiences do not know the line-up ahead of time, so there are no spoilers yet. But previous line ups have featured the likes of Gillian Anderson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jude Law, Caitlin Moran, Tom Hiddleston and many, many more. And it's often the biggest surprises that are the most moving: one year there was an audible gasp when, reading a letter addressed to Walt Disney about Mary Poppins, Karen Dotrice appeared – the former child star who played Jane Banks.

The chosen letters are engrossing by themselves, but at Letters Live their richness is intensified by the sheer talents of those reading them. The charities it supports – Help Refugees, First Story and Ministry of Stories – are incredibly appropriate: 'Letters cast a powerful spell' Letters Live organiser Jamie Byng explained in his introduction. Not only is it voyeuristically engrossing when a reader steps into the shoes of the letter writer, but when it gives us a rare window into others' lives, loves, pains, triumphs and losses, it is positively tranformative.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 7 December at 10AM. Click here to book