“Festive vibes, heartfelt moments, and Christmas cheer—all for a good cause.”
One of the best things about being a reviewer is discovering venues I’ve never been to before, and Central Hall Westminster was a lovely find. Its simple yet elegant beauty—majestic without being overwhelming—felt perfectly suited for a Christmas concert with the Fulltone Orchestra. The setting created just the right atmosphere for an evening that combined festive cheer with a meaningful purpose: raising funds for Mind, a mental health charity dedicated to supporting and advocating for those facing mental health challenges.
The event had some serious star power, with none other than Stephen Fry lending his voice as the evening’s host. Though not physically present, his humour shone through as he joked about wanting his voice back after the concert. Fry’s involvement felt meaningful given his long-standing role as President of Mind and his openness about mental health—a reminder of how vital the charity’s work is.
The Fulltone Orchestra, led by Anthony Brown, was spot-on throughout the evening. Their lush sound filled the hall, perfectly complementing the evening’s two incredible soloists: Irish tenor Emmet Cahill, the internationally renowned Irish tenor and the lead vocalist of the celebrated group Celtic Thunder, and soprano Camilla Kerslake, A Classical Brit nominated soprano who has performed with the English National Opera and toured alongside Andrea Bocelli and Il Divo. For Cahill, this was his London debut, and he made it clear he was enjoying the moment (his mum was in the audience!) Between songs, he had the audience laughing with his good-natured jokes about being Irish in London, but when he sang, it was all heart. His rendition of ‘A Million Dreams’ from the movie The Greatest Showman was just amazing.
Camilla Kerslake brought her own kind of magic, with a bubbly, almost childlike excitement that was infectious. She was practically giggling as she introduced When You Wish Upon a Star, a song she was performing for the first time. That blend of charm and vocal power made her performance of Silent Night in the second half one of the night’s most moving moments.
The first half was a nostalgic treat, featuring Christmas classics from beloved films. Hearing for the first time live ‘Somewhere in My Memory’ from Home Alone brought back the wonder of Christmas as a child. I didn’t realise how emotional I would get, but there is something so beautiful about the way music can transport you.
The second half shifted to an all-Christmas setlist, with festive favourites like It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. The choir deserves a special mention here; their harmonies added richness to the arrangements, giving the evening an extra layer of warmth and magic. Together with the orchestra, they created a sound so full and beautiful, I truly felt like Christmas.
As the concert came to an end, I found myself wishing more people had been there to experience it. This was everything a Christmas concert in London should be: fun, heart warming, and full of talent. I hope next year’s performance draws the packed house it deserves, because this one was a true gift