The lowdown on the MR PORTER x Letters Live event in Los Angeles.

The Theatre At Ace Hotel in Los Angeles is, on the whole, more used to Mr Antonio Sánchez and the Red Hot Chili Peppers than Mr Mark Twain and Ms Dorothy Parker, but not last night. Letters Live, supported by MR PORTER and NET‑A‑PORTER, made its stateside debut in the restored 1930s theatre, and a firmament of stars came to read and listen to letters by some of our greatest writers.

The event began in the UK in 2013, inspired by Mr Shaun Usher’s bestselling Letters Of Note series, which celebrate the dying art of literary correspondence, and has since grown into an international behemoth.

On Monday, the stars shone pretty brightly. Performing their favourite letters were, in no particular order, Mr Stephen Fry (who read a missive from Mr Evelyn Waugh to his second wife, Ms Laura Waugh), Ms Anjelica Huston, Ms Isla Fisher, Ms Catherine Keener and Messrs Jake Gyllenhaal, James Corden, Ian McShane and Mr Mark Hamill, who read a letter written by psychiatrist Mr Allen Frances to The New York Times regarding Mr Donald Trump’s mental state. Mr Jarvis Cocker, who arrived in a rather fetching tan linen double-breasted suit, read a note from a Beatles fan to Nike, entitled “Thank You And I Hope You Choke”. The evening was opened by Virginia rocker Mr Benjamin Booker, who will feature in an upcoming Mr P. campaign.

Money from ticket sales went to partner charities 826LA, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting students with writing skills, and Women For Women International, a charity that helps survivors of war rebuild their lives.

After the event, the party moved to the Ace Hotel rooftop bar for an Old Fashioned or three. We’d tell you more, but we have a small hangover we have to get over first. In the meantime, you can find out more, here. Or pick up a copy of Mr Sean Usher’s book, Letters Of Note, here.

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