Experience the enchantment of Musicals by Candlelight as it returns to London’s historic Actors' Church in the heart of Covent Garden. Relax and immerse yourself in the timeless melodies of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein and more surrounded by beautiful candlelight. Prepare to rediscover your favourite musicals such as Les Misérables, Wicked, Chicago, and Mamma Mia, as a world-class string quartet breathes new life into iconic musical theatre songs, offering a truly unforgettable experience. The Icon Strings Quartet is a distinguished group of award-winning musicians, renowned both internationally and within the illustrious halls of London's Royal Opera House and Royal Albert Hall. There are six different types of Musicals by Candlelight seating: VIP, premium, standard, rear, onstage, and restricted view. Seats are unallocated within the section you book, so we recommend arriving with plenty of time to ensure your party is able to sit together. Enjoy an enchanted, theatrical evening like no other. __FAQs:__ __When does the venue open?__ The venue will open 30 mins prior to the start time of the performance. __Will there be food and drinks available?__ There will be a bar inside the venue serving alcoholic and soft drinks. Customers who have purchased a ticket that includes a glass of prosecco can redeem this at the bar. No food is permitted inside the venue. __How will sunset affect the performances?__ The venue will be darker during the later performance times due to the sunset. __Is the venue wheelchair accessible?__ Wheelchair access is provided by a ramp at the main entrance of the venue. There is also a disabled bathroom inside the venue. Customers with access requirements (including wheelchair users) should contact [email protected] to make their booking. __Can the glass of prosecco be exchanged for another drink?__ The glass of prosecco can be exchanged for any soft drink available at the bar.

Punch & Judy Professors and Pupeteers from all over the UK gather, to celebrate 50 golden years of London's treasured May Fayre & Puppet Festival. On Sunday 11 May 2025, the much-loved Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet festival will return to its annual venue: the garden of St Paul’s Church, also known as 'the actors church', near the spot where Samuel Pepys first saw Mr Punch in England, in May, 1662. Punch & Judy professors and pupeteers from all over the country will be gathering to perform, to celebrate 50 golden years of the festival, which welcomes thousands every year. Importantly, the event will also commemorate Mr Punch’s 363rd birthday, with a grand procession in the morning and a birthday toast, followed by a special church service at noon, where he will take centre stage in the pulpit. The afternoon will present many more performances, workshops, may pole dancing and music. All are invited to come and enjoy the shows and to celebrate the art of puppetry.

Sophie Crawford is a folk musician from London. She co-founded Queer Folk which highlights and promotes LGBTQIA+ history and performers in traditional music. Her songs on dulcimer, ukulele and accordion reflect her work with Queer Folk engaging with music sourced from the archives. Her 2018 album Silver Pin was Mainly Norfolk's album of the year. Her new album is out later this year! Through her work as a musician in theatre she has toured internationally, on the West End and at the Globe. She hosts the monthly radio show Queer Folk for Voices Radio and founded the Harrison Singaround! She is interested in women's history, queer history, traditional music, dance, drag and the way all of these things intersect. Tog Fàire play a mixture of traditional Scottish and Irish songs and tunes, including Scottish Gaelic singing, as well as music from contemporary folk artists. Their sets are made up of modern compositions by musicians who are at the heart of the living folk scene, while others can be traced back centuries. They love the stories behind these tunes and their roots, whether old or new. Expect fiery toe-tapping reels, reimagined sets with a contemporary spin, ancient airs or all kinds in between

A rare solo performance for Stew Simpson (former frontman for folk rock outfit Hadrian's Union) Without the framework of Hadrian's Union, Stew has allowed himself to explore different sides of his journey into folk music using his roots in traditional mining songs from the North East of England, from his previous show Hyem through to such Folk and Rock cross over songs by Led Belly/Nirvana, (Where did you sleep last night) and to his more outrageous surrealist poetry. Emma Scarr is an urban folk and country singer/songwriter from East London Emma Scarr sings songs that inspired me were those that told the stories of ordinary people in ordinary situations that captured everyday experience. The sort of stories that are familiar and all around us, lovingly crafted into a poem or song in simple language with unflinching honesty. Songs that remind us that our stories are anything but mundane or unimportant they are expressions of our times and our realities, our struggles and our joys.

Lost Revellers are an original folk band from East Sussex. Their music draws on Gypsy jazz, tango, celtic and Eastern-European folk, and mixes traditional instruments with polyphonic electric string and synth sounds. Jazz and blues infused violin solos intertwine with soaring accordion melodies, infectious bass riffs and fiery percussion to make a unique fusion.