Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir

- [Announcer] Mrs. Lesley Nicol.

(bright orchestral music) - Holy moly, (crowd cheering) nothing could prepare you for this experience.

(audience applauds) I've finally made it upstairs!

(audience applauds) (audience laughing) (Lesley laughing) (bright piano music) This evening, we have a very special story to share with you.

So how is this experience different from playing "Mrs. Patmore" and doing the West End Stage?

Well, I think, the first time you ever do something, you're not quite sure what's gonna happen.

Last night, I was pacing around quite a lot before I went on, but I knew from experience that once I got in front of the audience, then I would relax because I would be on somewhat more familiar territory.

This is obviously magnificently different because it's so huge, but funnily enough, once you get out onto that stage, it feels quite intimate.

(audience applauds) It's a performer trying to connect with an audience, so there are elements of both in this particular performance, but then that suit that they have got me is about the best thing I've ever had on.

(Lesley laughing) Tonight, I bring this marvelous choir.

This came about because my agent called me up one day, and he said, "You've heard of the Tabernacle Choir?"

And I said, "Yes."

He said, "Well, it's quite an honor this, "but they've asked you to narrate their Christmas concert."

And I'm extremely grateful for that because I've never done anything like this before, it's wonderful.

- This is an opportunity to give more than money.

It is to give of ourself.

- [Lesley] The Victor Hugo story.

(children cheers) There are a number of messages.

One is he felt very strongly about "to love is to act," and I so believe that that's true.

- We are doing, all of us have a responsibility to do.

(beautiful orchestral music) - When he says, "Aimer c'est agir", which is, "to love is to act" it's just beautiful because we can say things, but unless you show it with actions, that's a very different thing.

- [Lesley] Like shepherds at the manger, they found there was room for everyone.

The other thing is, this story is about kindness, which is exactly what we want the world to be doing, isn't it?

So it's just reminding people that this is not overrated.

Kindness and actions are what matter.

Children of nations who hunger for peace on earth When I sat in the audience the other day just watching the choir, the orchestra rehearse, it is so theatrical, I mean, so moving, so dramatic.

It's pure theater, it's utterly beautiful.

As a performer, the thing that strikes me is the amazing teamwork that's happening from every angle.

Absolutely everybody is working with each other as one.

And the commitment of the crew, everybody backstage, it's 100%.

(crowd chattering) It's about a group collective decision to make this wonderful experience for people.

(crowd chattering) (crowd laughing) These simple things are often the most potent things that we learn in life, and it resonates with me very strongly.

It's kindness in action.

(audience applauds) (beautiful orchestral music)