logo
How the A-List fell in love with snail mail – and you can too

How the A-List fell in love with snail mail – and you can too

Times6 days ago
If you are one of the 120,000 audience members who've attended a Letters Live show, you have Shaun Blanco-Usher's awkwardly timed budding relationship with the woman who is now his wife to thank.
'After we met in 2002 she moved away to Spain for a year as part of a university course. And we decided to stay in touch by letter — this was before we started using emails and before Facebook and all that. So we wrote to each other, handwritten letters. We fell in love by letter, and I also fell in love with letter writing.'
Years later, stuck in a job he 'hated', he started a website. Letters of Note was where Blanco-Usher published what he called 'correspondence deserving of a wider audience', written by figures as diverse as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Iggy Pop. The site gained a cult social following, which in turn spawned a book. For its 2013 launch, the publishing house Canongate's chief executive, Jamie Byng, gathered some of London's cultural lights — Benedict Cumberbatch and Gillian Anderson among them — to read from the book. It was a hit.
Benedict Cumberbatch launches our Dear London competition
London has always been part of me. It's in my bones, it's the background noise of my life — the hum, the sirens, the buses exhaling as they pull away. I've seen it from stages and street corners, in its chaos and its calm. It's the city that shaped me.
It's where I trained. Where I stumbled, steadied myself, and tried again. I've danced through its puddles and trudged through them too. I've watched it change, and I've changed with it. Like so many others, I carry my own London, stitched together from small, private moments.
That's why I love this idea. Dear London is a competition inviting anyone, anywhere, to write a letter to this city. Or to something or somebody within it. Maybe it's to the barista who never forgets your order, the bridge you always cross, the friend you lost, the version of you who lived here once.
Letters ask us to pause. Putting words to paper is an act of connection: slow, deliberate and often more revealing than we expect.
I've written my own letter to London. Now we'd love you to do the same. Pick up a pen, or dust off the old typewriter, or open a new document, and begin. Perfection not required; just honesty. Keep it under 500 words and say what you need to say.
Your letter will be published in The Times and read aloud at Letters Live at the Royal Albert Hall this November. But once it's written, it lives, and London will be larger for it.
For full competition details see below
'I thought my parents, my wife and I would read the website. I literally did, because it sounds like such a dry subject, and then [the readings] went so well and the feedback was universally positive and we just decided to continue doing these events,' Blanco-Usher says.
The concept is disarmingly simple: notable letters, read aloud by the right person, each performer lending a touch of their personality and theatricality to bring the text vividly to life. Now co-produced by Blanco-Usher in partnership with Cumberbatch and Adam Ackland, Letters Live has captivated audiences in New York, Los Angeles and a sold-out Royal Albert Hall with readers including Cynthia Erivo, Carey Mulligan, Idris Elba, Florence Welch and Woody Harrelson. There have also been special editions broadcast live from Brixton prison and the Calais Jungle. Those who love Letters Live really, really love Letters Live; shows sell out almost instantly and most are partnered with a charity — this year's show, announced last week, supports Arts Emergency, a group working to open up careers in the arts for those from less privileged backgrounds.
Cynthia Erivo is one of dozens of Hollywood stars to have read at Letters Live
GETTY IMAGES
Looking back at recordings of those early events, including a lengthy run at London's Freemasons' Hall and literary events like Hay, proves Blanco-Usher's point that there is something deeply personal about these moments of private correspondence. The actress Louise Brealey's reading of Virginia Woolf's suicide note to her husband, Leonard — 'If anybody could have saved me, it would have been you. Everything has gone from me but the certainty of your goodness' — is extraordinarily affecting, the author's pain evident in every word. In 2024 the singer Patti Smith read to an audience a 'goodbye' letter she wrote to her friend the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe — a victim of the Aids epidemic who never lived to read it. Another highlight is a letter to the RNLI from a 71-year-old man whose life was saved by the charity half a century earlier in an incident off the Scottish coast.
GETTY IMAGES
Some are less personal but no less historic. One came from the White House speechwriter to Nixon's inner circle containing the address the president would have given had the moon landings ended in tragedy: 'In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.' Its reading was accompanied by a climactic moment from the score for Christopher Nolan's film Interstellar — a pairing that, Blanco-Usher says, still gives him goosebumps.
Others are at times poignant, comic, even flippant. Olivia Colman's reading of the novelist Lydia Davis's letter to an undertaker — in which she objects to the use of the word 'cremains' to refer to her late father — has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube, and brought a sold-out room to tears of both laughter and sadness. A spectacularly crude letter from the Irish novelist James Joyce to his future wife, Nora Barnacle — in which the Ulysses author describes the many different ways in which he is looking forward to being intimately reacquainted with her — was read by the actor Ferdinand Kingsley at a Wilderness Festival event last year. 'F*** me dressed in your full outdoor costume with your hat and veil on, your face flushed with the cold and wind and rain and your boots muddy' was, by most accounts, the most printable line, and earned the imaginative British Sign Language interpreter a standing ovation.
Many of the letters that Blanco-Usher and his co-producers select are, unsurprisingly, from a bygone era, when sitting down with pen and paper was more commonplace. His study is a library of collected works and letters from authors, musicians, socialites, artists and war generals. Today, he acknowledges that so much of our communication is fragmented and 'pixelised' that it is unlikely ever to be archived.
'But in our own small way we're trying to keep it alive. I think there will always be people, a small percentage of people perhaps, that write letters because there's always a small percentage of the population who reminisce about that kind of thing. I do have faith it's not dying out.'
Letters Live returns to the Royal Albert Hall on November 28. Remaining tickets are available at royalalberthall.com
Dear London competition
The Times's and Letters Live 'Dear London' encourages you to write a letter to London — its people, its places or the city itself. The winning letter writer will be invited to the Letters Live show at the Royal Albert Hall in November and their letter will be read on stage on the evening.
To enter your letter, email it to dearlondon@letterslive.com or send a physical copy to Dear London, PO Box 81900, London, WC1A 9RH, with contact details.
Letters will be read by an independent editor appointed by Letters Live and the winner will be selected from a shortlist by an independent judging panel. Entries must be received by midnight on September 19, 2025, and must be no more than 500 words. Entrants must be 18 or over.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Love Island star Emma reveals real reason she and Harry discussed winning £50k after ‘game plan' rumours
Love Island star Emma reveals real reason she and Harry discussed winning £50k after ‘game plan' rumours

The Sun

time26 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Love Island star Emma reveals real reason she and Harry discussed winning £50k after ‘game plan' rumours

LOVE Island's evicted bombshell Emma Munro has opened up on the real reason she discussed the show's whopper cash prize with Harry Cooksley. Love Island 2025 OG Harry was left stunned when his real-world ex Emma entered the Mallorca compound, and he could be heard saying: "Oh my god, it's my ex." 6 6 6 Fans then previously insisted the late arrival should win the series after dishing out home truths to Harry before revealing the real reason for their split. Yet their connection then appeared to take a turn - after Harry pulled Emma for a chat and they enjoyed some new banter about PDA, as fans claimed the brunette's "real mask had slipped." This was exacerbated when she was heard discussing the show's £50K cash prize pot on the ITV2 series. In spin off show Aftersun, host Maya Jama directly asked the TV show star why. She said: "You're one of the few Islanders who have actually mentioned the 50k." Emma replied: "We have broken the fourth wall," to which Maya said: "You did, can you clarify what you meant by that? "I think you said something after like 'ahh play along' something like that?" Emma giggled before she said: "Look I'm glad you brought that up because the whole thing was a complete joke. "Harry and I had nothing else to talk about and we are both really playful but I can confirm there was no game plan and we were just being silly. "None of it was serious." SPEAK OUT As well as his flirting with ex Shakira Khan and new bombshell Angel Swift, footballer Harry was previously seen telling his ex Emma that he still loves her, prior to her being dumped from the island. At the time, Emma tried telling Helena what Harry had told her but the besotted star refused to believe her. However, after seeing the clip for herself at the show's Grafties, Helena had said on Friday's episode that she wished she could apologise to her former love rival. She also raged: "I didn't expect you to be sitting with your ex-girlfriend and saying you'll get back into bed with one another on the outside. Love Island 2025 full lineup Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition. Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart. Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves. Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. Aaron Buckett: A towering 6'5' personal trainer. Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. Antonia Laites: Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel. Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Giorgio Russo: The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia's successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland. Yaz Broom: Professional DJ from Manchester who appeared on X Factor 2016 in girl group Four of Diamonds. Andrada Pop: Miss Bikini Ireland 2019 winner who hails from Dublin and works as a nail technician and personal trainer. Emma Munro: Harry Cooksley's ex who entered as a bombshell and works as a hydrogeologist. Departures: Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. Caprice Alexandra: The 26-year-old bombshell owns a nursery in Romford. Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa Will Means: The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers' Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell Megan Clarke: An Irish actress part of the OG line-up. Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos. Alima Gagigo: 23-year-old personal banker from Glasgow who fancies herself as a 'good flirt'. Ryan Bannister: 27-year-old gym hunk who entered the show as a bombshell. 'You just don't shut things down, you entertain everything and everyone.' Now Emma, who received a pre-villa glow up, has broken her silence and responded to Helena's comment. Taking to TikTok, the brunette beauty expressed: 'Hey guys, I'm just jumping on here to address tonight's episode where Helena said she owes me an apology. 'I just wanted to say that she absolutely doesn't, there is no need to apologise to me for how she spoke to me. We both could have handled things better and I'm no angel.' Proving there was no issue between them, she concluded: 'So no need to apologise, all good, no bad blood.' 6 6

The late Queen was the victim of multiple pranks at the hands of her favourite son Prince Andrew, royal insider reveals
The late Queen was the victim of multiple pranks at the hands of her favourite son Prince Andrew, royal insider reveals

Daily Mail​

time26 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

The late Queen was the victim of multiple pranks at the hands of her favourite son Prince Andrew, royal insider reveals

Queen Elizabeth II was the victim of multiple pranks at the hands of her favourite son Prince Andrew. The Duke of York's mischievous behaviour towards his mother was revealed by Robert Lacey in his book Battle Of Brothers. His practical jokes included putting itching powder inside his mother's bed and creeping behind a member of the Queen's Guard and tying their shoelaces together. The prince's most dramatic stunt involved climbing on the roof of the palace to change the direction of the TV aerial so the Queen could not watch her favourite horserace from Sandown Park. Despite his naughty actions, it is likely that Andrew was able to get away without any repercussions due to his coveted position as the late Queen's favourite son. Their close relationship was believed to have been because of the timing of Andrew's birth during the Queen's reign. The Duke of York was born in 1960, eight years after the Queen was crowned, while Charles and Anne had been toddlers when their mother became the monarch. This meant that, during their formative years, Elizabeth was busy on royal tours and learning to navigate her new role as Queen. But by the time Andrew was born, she had grown into her role much more and was therefore able to take a much active role in his, and younger brother Edward's, upbringing. For example, Elizabeth was able to even pick up the two boys from school in her own car and even attend sports days. A royal insider previously told the Telegraph, that Elizabeth liked Andrew because he was 'straightforward' and could make her 'laugh and raise the family's spirits'. On the other hand, she found Prince Charles 'emotionally complicated'. Meanwhile, Andrew's military service during the Falklands Wars was a source of great pride for his parents and made the prince the darling of the press. However, Prince Philip had a much less warm relationship with Andrew. Royal author Ingrid Sewell wrote in her book, My Mother And I, that Philip 'berated' Andrew for being 'pointless' and he believed the Duke of York 'failed to reach all his family's expectations'. In stark contrast to his relationship with the Queen, Andrew is known to have a more distant relationship with his older brother, with Charles going as far to claim in 2019: 'The problem with my brother [Andrew] is that he wants to be me.' Royal aides have gone as far as to claim that Andrew 'looked down on Charles' and 'thought he would make a much better king than his eldest brother'. His rude behaviour also extends to members of royal staff, with an aide telling royal expert Tom Quinn in his book, Gilded Youth, that Andrew 'was always curt to the staff and dismissive of them – he treated them as if we were living in the Middle Ages.' In 2022, Andrew was accused of 'overbearing' and 'verbally abusive behaviour' towards Palace staff. Former royal protection officer Paul Page has claimed he personally made three separate complaints to the Palace during the time he worked in the Royal Protection Command from 1998 until 2004. Speaking to The Sunday Mirror, Mr Page said that he is aware of 'at least a dozen' other reports made by colleagues about the Duke of York. 'The Palace has a problem because there are instances and evidence of Prince Andrew being overbearing and verbally abusive,' he told the newspaper. Mr Page alleged his complaints during his time working for the Palace were ignored because senior courtiers wanted to avoid agitation. While for many years Andrew was celebrated as the royal family's 'scallywag', Lacey wrote that the Prince's 'dubious choice of business contacts' have 'came to shadow his reputation'. This culminated in Andrew stepping down from his role as a working member of the royal family following his infamous interview with BBC Newsnight about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. More recently, there was further controversy when it was uncovered that he unknowingly struck up a friendly relationship with an alleged Chinese spy. It was even reported that Andrew extended an invitation to the man, known as H6, to visit Buckingham Palace. The man was later banned from Britain by the Government on national security grounds. Since stepping down, Andrew has been involved in an ongoing scuffle with Charles over the Royal Lodge. Located in the leafy countryside surrounded by greenery, the Royal Lodge, which Prince Andrew shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, is just three miles from Windsor and 25 miles from London. Charles reportedly wants his younger brother to move out of the lavish 30million Royal Lodge, which has been in the family for centuries, and into Frogmore Cottage, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But moving Andrew hasn't been easy, as a 75-year contract he signed in 2003 means that he can continue living there, as long as he can afford the cost of upkeeping the 30-room mansion. Speaking of Andrew's potential move to Frogmore in January this year, Royal expert Ingrid Seward said: 'It's going to cost him a tenth of what it costs him at Royal Lodge, but that's not how Andrew thinks. He has serious delusions of grandeur and he thinks he needs to live in a house like that. 'If King Charles wants him to leave Royal Lodge, well he's going to have to use persuasion, because legally he can't move him out as he's rented it from the Crown Estate. 'If he can't keep up the roof and the outside and all the things a big house needs, he could be in contravention of his lease and that's the only way he could be moved out.'

Heartbreaking tributes to ‘little ray of sunshine,' 13, who was ‘always happy & smiling' after her sudden death
Heartbreaking tributes to ‘little ray of sunshine,' 13, who was ‘always happy & smiling' after her sudden death

The Sun

time26 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Heartbreaking tributes to ‘little ray of sunshine,' 13, who was ‘always happy & smiling' after her sudden death

THE family of a teen who tragically died suddenly have paid tribute to the young girl praising her as a 'quirky ray of sunshine." Robyn Lott died suddenly, aged 13, on July 14, family members have since launched a GoFundMe to cover the funeral costs. 3 Her mother, Alison Ward, led tributes for the tragic teen describing her as an animal lover who was passionate about fashion. The devastated mum has received an outpouring of support from people who knew Robyn. Robyn's family have asked that those attending the funeral wear casual clothing. People have also been asked to wear ears and tails if they wish, with these accessories often worn by Robyn. Only family flowers are being requested but people are being asked to donate teddy bears, which will be donated to charity, if they want. Devastated mum Alison said: 'She was an angel. Her smile lit up the room and she was always smiling and happy – she had this brightness inside her as she was one of those bright, happy people. "She was also very quirky and didn't 'follow the crowd'. She was her own person and she owned that. 'She was a little ray of sunshine and my absolute world. We would often blast music, dance around the kitchen and sing at the top of our voices – my phone is full of selfies of us doing silly, funny things. 'Robyn loved animals. We have a lot of pets and she has always been close to them. "She loved fashion and she used to dress up and accessorise when she was little – she was so creative and loved drawing. She had her own style and was so unique – she wasn't one to follow the crowd or any particular trends." 3

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store