Royal Variety Performance 2023 performers revealed & How to Watch, including Cher, Hannah Waddingham, Samantha Barks, Beverley Knight, Mel C, Disney 100 & more + First-look photos [Updated]

The Royal Variety Charity has announced performers for its annual Royal Variety Performance.

The 2023 event will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 30 November 2023; and then screen on ITV and ITVX on Sunday 17 December 2023 at 8pm. Watch the show on ITVX now (UK only).

The show will feature lots of West End performers and shows this year, including a major tribute marking 100 years of Disney, including the casts of The Lion King, Frozen The Musical, Aladdin, Hercules and Beauty & The Beast, and West End star Samantha Barks – who is currently on maternity leave from the cast of Frozen and is a judge on ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream – singing “Let It Go”.

West End and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham will perform with the English National Opera chorus, and classical pianist Lang Lang will play a duet with the 14-year-old winner of Channel 4’s talent show The Piano, Lucy .

*Royal Variety Performance 2023. Host Bradley Walsh. Photo credit ITV*

There will also be performances from brand new British musical The Little Big Things, now playing at @sohoplace theatre in the West End; along with smash-hit Gershwin musical Crazy For You, now playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre; and the cast of Sister Act led by Beverley Knight – coming to the Dominion Theatre next year.

Spice Girl and actor Melanie Chisholm and West End star Ben Forster will lead a tribute to theatre producer Bill Kenwright, who died recently aged 78. Chisholm, who starred in one of Kenwright’s most successful shows, Blood Brothers with sing “Tell Me It’s Not True” from the show, alongside Ben Forster.

Derren Brown’s West End show Unbelievable, now playing at the Criterion Theatre in London, will be the magic act on the night; plus Argentinian dance show Malevo – which is now playing at the Peacock Theatre – will perform.

Photos: The Royal Variety Performance 2023

Britain's Got Talent 2023 winner Viggo Venn. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

The cast of Unbelievable. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Melanie C and Ben Forster sing Tell Me It's Not True from Blood Brothers in tribute to Bill Kenwright. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

The Royal Albert Hall - Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Cher and Bradley Walsh. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Cher. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

The cast of The Little Big Things. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Disney 100 celebrations. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Trevor Don Nicolas and Grace Swabby-Moore - Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Yeukayi Ushe and the cast of Disney's Aladdin. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Hannah Waddingham. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

The cast of Crazy For You. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

The Cast of Sister Act The Musical. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Beverley Knight singing from Sister Act. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Host Bradley Walsh. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

The Prince and Princess of Wales. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Samantha Barks singing Let It Go from Frozen The Musical. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Disney's Hercules. Royal Variety Performance 2023 - Photo courtesy of ITV

Producers of The Little Big Things, Michael Harrison and Nica Burns said in a statement: “It is such an honour for The Little Big Thing, our brand new musical, created by a first time British writing team, to be invited to perform on such an iconic show. We and the whole company are absolutely delighted.”

Superstar Cher, Rick Astley, Zara Larsson, McFly and Paloma Faith will also sing during the night, and comedians will include Britain’s Got Talent winner Viggo Venn, plus Tom Allen, Rosie Jones, Ellie Taylor and Simon Brodkin.

The National Anthem will be led by The Fanfare Trumpeters of The Band of the Welsh Guards and the National Youth Choir.

Host Bradley Walsh said in a statement: “I am so excited to be presenting this year’s show. It’s been 30 years this year since I first performed at The Royal Variety Performance, so what an absolute honour to be hosting. The line-up is incredible and I can’t wait for you all to see what I have in store.”

Last year’s show included performances from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gary Barlow, Cabaret, and Newsies.

This year’s Royal Variety Performance is attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, and will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 17 December 2023 at 8pm.

Watch the show on ITVX now (UK only).

ARTICLE UPDATES: First published 2 November 2023; Updated 4 December 2023 with the date of ITV’s broadcast; Updated 11 December 2023 with photos

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