Woody Harrelson reads a letter about a very grumpy cat

Letters Live
2024 Jul 11

One afternoon in 1960, a balding cat was thrust upon novelist John Cheever by his old friend Josie Herbst, who explained that she could no longer keep him. Cheever reluctantly homed the cat, but they didn’t get on; so much so that Cheever’s friendship with Herbst soon deteriorated. The rift finally healed in 1963, when Cheever sent Herbst the letter you're about to hear.

At Letters Live at London's Royal Albert Hall in November 2023, Woody Harrelson joined us to give this hilarious reading of Cheever's letter.

© Benjamin Cheever 1988, used by permission of The Wylie Agency (UK)

Letters Live is a one-of-a-kind celebration of the power of letters—bringing to life the intimacy, passion, humour, and raw emotion found in the written word. Each event features a surprise cast of remarkable performers, from Oscar-winning actors and beloved comedians to bestselling writers and iconic musicians, breathing new life into extraordinary correspondence.

For over a decade, Letters Live has captivated audiences in sold-out shows across London, Edinburgh, New York, and beyond. Every performance has supported carefully chosen charity partners, promoting literacy and championing the power of human connection.

As well as celebrating the pain, joy, wisdom and humour expressed in letters, Letters Live has from the outset been committed to promoting literacy and fundraising for charities, and each show raises vital funds for a selected charity partner – past charities have included the National Literacy Trust, Choose Love and the RNLI.