Over 25 shows and a number of musical theatre’s most popular stars will feature in this year’s West End LIVE event in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square.
Shows as varied as Disney’s The Lion King and Kinky Boots are in the main stage line-up with stars including Samantha Barks, Matt Cardle, Tom Chambers, Kerry Ellis, Beverley Knight, Pixie Lott and Michael Xavier set to perform.
Now in its 12th year, the free two-day musical extravaganza which takes place this year on 18 and 19 June, regularly attracts crowds of more than 500,000 people making it the largest event of its type in the world.
Organised by Westminster City Council and Official London Theatre with support from the Mayor of London, West End LIVE with MasterCard will turn one of London’s most famous landmarks into a showcase for the best the West End has to offer.
This year’s line-up for the West End LIVE stage includes: American Idiot, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, The Bodyguard, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Lion King, In The Heights, Impossible, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Stomp, Sunny Afternoon, Thriller Live and Wicked.
New shows making their West End LIVE debuts over the weekend include: Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Crazy For You, Guys and Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Kinky Boots; Motown The Musical, Murder Ballad, The Secret Garden, Show Boat and The Wedding Singer.
Julian Bird, chief executive of the Society of London Theatre said: “Each year hundreds of thousands of people come to Trafalgar Square to watch an incredible array of West End performances. From plays and musicals to cabaret and magic, West End LIVE showcases the diversity and incredible talent on the London stage and celebrates the world class status of the city’s theatre.”
Cllr Robert Davis (deputy leader and cabinet member responsible for special events at Westminster City Council) said: “West End LIVE is back and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with the crème de la crème of London’s musical theatre taking to our stage in Trafalgar Square, live and for free.
“Over the 18 and 19 June, 500,000 people will again visit the area and contribute some £4.5 million to the local economy. I hope that this year’s line-up will excite our magnificent fan-base and that, like me, they are looking forward to the curtain going up on what will be another incredible weekend of world-class entertainment, showcasing the magic of the West End.”
Nicki Grant, head of marketing UK at MasterCard added: “West End LIVE is a wonderful event which we’re proud to sponsor – it brings the magic of West End theatre to hundreds of thousands of people, and it’s all completely free.”
Below Musical Theatre Review official photographer Roy Tan gives a visual impression of West End LIVE past and future.
Angela Thomas
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