Nish Kumar.

Blue Plaques Talk Back returns to Chelsea Arts Festival following its riveting launch event at the festival in 2025. This unique, immersive, live show celebrates four iconic – or intriguingly overlooked – blue plaques, chosen specifically for their connection to the surrounding neighbourhood. The result is a performance of history and culture, brought vividly to life. Mishal Husain, celebrated broadcaster, writer and journalist, will be in conversation reflecting on the legacy of one of the 20th century’s defining political figures, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India. Husain’s personal family history of the 1947 Partition of Pakistan and India is documented in her poignant memoir Broken Threads: My Family from Empire to Independence. The book traces the lives of her four grandparents during the fall of the British Empire. Critically acclaimed comedian, TV presenter, and podcaster Nish Kumar joins the event to discuss the Blue Plaque of his idol Jimi Hendrix, the guitarist and songwriter whose influence on music endures to this day. At each event, stories behind the plaques are transformed into short, dramatic performances by professional actors. These theatrical moments are then followed by in-depth, informal conversations with distinguished guests – figures whose lives or careers have been shaped, inspired, or touched by the individual commemorated on the plaque. Blue Plaques Talk Back live is brilliantly hosted by Hannah MacInnes, broadcaster, journalist and podcaster, who has conducted interviews with hundreds of figures from culture and politics. She regularly appears on Times Radio and currently leads the How To Academy‘s live events schedule and podcast series. Her writing has featured in the Radio Times, The Standard, TLS, and she writes on Substack as The Conversationist. More speakers to be announced soon. Last year Sir Stephen Fry joined Hannah MacInnes in conversation about Oscar Wilde, Dennis Morris on Bob Marley, Lyse Doucet on Martha Gellhorn, and Kathryn Hughes on George Eliot. *Please note that all artists appear subject to availability. Artists listed are correct at time of going to publication. In the unlikely event that an artist needs to cancel, we reserve the right to amend the lineup without notice and no refunds will be due. Blue Plaques Talk Back is produced by Storystock Sounds. This event is part of the 2026 Chelsea Arts Festival. Chelsea Arts Festival Duration: approx. 1 hour 15 mins (no interval)