Full details have been released of the line-up of award-winning shows and performers due to feature in this year’s West End LIVE event when it returns to London’s iconic Trafalgar Square next weekend.
With first time appearances from new hits including Come From Away, Only Fools and Horses The Musical, Waitress, 9 To 5 The Musical, Fiddler on the Roof and Magic Mike Live already announced, new shows and acts including Brooklyn The Musical, Falsettos, The Illusionists, The Barricade Boys and Nadine Benjamin have been added to the programme for the free two-day musical extravaganza will take place this year on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June 2019.
As well as featuring returning favourites including Disney’s The Lion King; Les Misérables; The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, the 15th West End LIVE will offer exclusive previews of eagerly-awaited new shows including the Gloria and Emilio Estefan musical On Your Feet!, Shakespearean pop musical & Juliet, the dance spectacular Heartbeat of Home (from the company behind Riverdance) and the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Stars including Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’s Faye Tozer and Layton Williams will share the stage with 9 To 5 The Musical’s Amber Davies and new Waitress star Lucie Jones. The latter will appear at the event just days after her debut as Waitress’ new lead and will also be performing some of her own songs with Nathan Amzi.
Leading independent producer Paul Taylor-Mills will curate an exclusive segment celebrating new musical writing featuring excerpts from musicals first workshopped at the first MT Fest UK earlier this year.
This year’s Olivier Awards host Jason Manford will be one of a number of star presenters sharing hosting duties for the event including West End stars Louise Dearman and John Owen Jones who will also perform during this year’s event.
West End LIVE continues its partnership with Magic Radio, with presenters Emma B, Tom Chambers, Tom Price and Harriet Scott all co-hosting across the weekend.
The list of shows due to appear includes: Disney’s Aladdin, Avenue Q, BalletBoyz, Brainiac Live, Come From Away, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Fiddler on the Roof, Heartbeat of Home, Jesus Christ Superstar, & Juliet, Disney’s The Lion King, Magic Mike Live, Mamma Mia!, Matilda the Musical, Les Misérables, On Your Feet!, Only Fools and Horses The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, SIX, Thriller Live, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, The View UpStairs, Waitress, Wicked, The Worst Witch, Yummy, and 9 To 5 The Musical.
Commenting on this year’s event, the leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Nickie Aiken said: “West End LIVE shows why hundreds of thousands of people are drawn to our theatres every year. There is so much to do in the West End and we know that many people go on to combine the West End LIVE taster of world-class musicals with shopping and a visit to our landmark restaurants and bars. Last year’s shows were incredible. We are into our 15th year and it is going to be even bigger and better. Most importantly West End LIVE is still completely free!’
Julian Bird, chief executive of SOLT and UK Theatre, added: “Following another record-breaking year for London’s theatre industry, it is fantastic to be back in Trafalgar Square, continuing our partnership with the City of Westminster to showcase the extraordinary talent and creativity of so many top West End productions. Nowhere else do theatre fans get the opportunity to see exclusive live performances from their favourite shows – and all for free.’
The largest event of its type in the world, the crowd-pleasing festival is organised by Westminster City Council and Official London Theatre with support from the Mayor of London. West End LIVE annually turns one of the capital’s famous landmarks into a showcase for the best the West End has to offer. Alongside the performances the event offers fun photo opportunities, meet-and-greets, merchandise stalls, refreshments and sing-alongs. Full details can be found on the West End Live website.
Angela Thomas
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