Royal Variety Performance 2026: Idina Menzel, Andrea Bocelli and James Blunt to Perform for King Charles III
The Royal Variety Performance will return to London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday, 20 November 2026, in the presence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with a lineup led by Idina Menzel, Andrea Bocelli, James Blunt and Vanessa Williams. The lineup was announced on Tuesday, 28 October 2026, BroadwayWorld reported.
A night in aid of the Royal Variety Charity
The evening supports the Royal Variety Charity, BroadwayWorld reported, and the King is the charity’s sole patron. Queen Camilla will attend for the first time as The Queen, BroadwayWorld reported. Comedian Jason Manford will host for a third time, making his sixth appearance at the event, BroadwayWorld reported.
“What a huge privilege to be asked to host the Royal Variety Performance for a third time,” Manford said, as quoted by BroadwayWorld. “It’s an amazing line up, in aid of a wonderful charity.”
A Wicked anniversary and a Greatest Showman preview
Menzel, the original Elphaba in Wicked, will fly in from the United States to mark the musical’s 20th anniversary with “The Wizard & I”, joined by the show’s composer, Stephen Schwartz, BroadwayWorld reported. The lineup will also include a television world exclusive: a sneak preview of “The Greatest Show” from the West End musical The Greatest Showman, BroadwayWorld reported.
The cast of Billy Elliot the Musical will perform “Electricity” ahead of the show’s West End return, marking 21 years since the stage musical first opened, BroadwayWorld reported. Sam Ryder will lead a medley from the current revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, BroadwayWorld reported, while the cast of Operation Mincemeat will appear with the Royal Naval Association Choir and military bands, BroadwayWorld reported.
Bocelli, Blunt and Williams lead the music
Bocelli will make an exclusive appearance to celebrate 30 years since he first became an international superstar, BroadwayWorld reported. Blunt, a Brit Award winner and a star of Celebrity Traitors, will also perform, BroadwayWorld reported, as will Williams, who will sing her hit “Save The Best For Last”, Radio News Hub reported. Jack Savoretti will make his Royal Variety debut, BroadwayWorld reported.
Comedy, choirs and circus acts
The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir will perform after becoming the first choir ever to win Britain’s Got Talent, BroadwayWorld reported. The Ramadhani Brothers and head balancer Veronika Ivanova, from the circus show Cirque Alice, will make their European debuts, BroadwayWorld reported, with comedy from Milton Jones and Phil Wang and tenor Alfie Boe leading the National Anthem, BroadwayWorld reported.
The performance will be broadcast in December, WhatsOnStage reported.
Sources: BroadwayWorld, 28 October 2026; WhatsOnStage, 28 October 2026; Radio News Hub, 28 October 2026; Musicals Daily, 27 October 2026.