A celebration of Asian talent, bringing together established West End stars and the
next generation of musical performers.
RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent returned to London’s Lyric Theatre for a
celebration of diversity and musical theatre. Founded by casting director Ben Armstrong, the
one-night concert brought together established West End performers and emerging talent, while
raising funds for scholarships supporting young Asian performers through The Boury Academy.
The evening featured a range of performers, accompanied by a four-piece band. From powerful
ballads to lighter, more humorous numbers, the variety kept the audience entertained
throughout the night. The staging was simple but effective, allowing the performers and their
voices to take centre stage.
Among the highlights was special guest James Hameed, best known for his Olivier Award-
winning role in Paddington The Musical. For many in the audience, this was a rare opportunity
to see the performer behind the bear, rather than simply hearing his voice. Hameed certainly did
not disappoint, delivering an incredible performance matched by equally impressive stage
presence. His charisma and confidence were captivating and a reminder of the talent behind
one of the most recognisable West End characters.
The more experienced performers also impressed, particularly Hiba Elchikhe, Nadim Naaman,
Soophia Foroughi and Zheng Xi Yong, whose polished vocals and confident stage presence
demonstrated the calibre of talent on stage. Soophia and Nadim’s duet of The Prayer was a
highlight, showcasing their vocal range and chemistry. Mia Kobayashi’s rendition of I Say No
from Heathers and Hiba’s powerful performance of The Wizard and I from Wicked were equally
memorable.
It was equally exciting to see three recent graduates, Shivaane Subash, Charlie Moscrop and
Sameer Dhanjee, make their West End debuts. While there was a difference in experience and
vocal polish compared with the established performers, all three delivered enjoyable
performances and showed considerable promise.
Host Nina Wadia brought warmth and humour to the evening, engaging with both performers
and audience. Although she occasionally relied on her notes, her conversations added
personality and helped the concert flow smoothly.
Beyond the performances, the evening’s purpose was particularly moving. The personal stories
shared by the artists highlighted the importance of representation and creating opportunities for
future generations. The introduction of the first scholarship recipient was a lovely moment,
although it would have been even more special to hear her sing.
If there was one criticism, it was the choice of songs. While the variety was welcome, several
selections were relatively obscure, and not every number felt ideally suited to the performer’s
vocal range. A few more familiar musical theatre favourites might have made the concert more
accessible to a wider audience.
Nevertheless, RepresentAsian was an enjoyable evening, with a wonderful sense of community
and a fitting group finale of Can’t Help Falling in Love. Showcasing both the remarkable talent
already established in the West End and the promise of those just starting out, it was a
celebration well worth supporting.