West End LIVE Returns to Trafalgar Square Today

The annual festival West End LIVE - organised by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre, in association withMasterCard - returns to Trafalgar Square today, 22 and tomorrow, 23 June 2013 for a weekend of free entertainment from some of London's top theatre productions and performers.

Now in its 9th year, West End LIVE is the largest event of its type in the UK and the stage is set for another record breaking weekend as large crowds are expected to gather for special live performances from West End favourites Billy Elliot The Musical, Horrible Histories, Jersey Boys, Disney's The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Les Misérables, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Phantom of the Opera, Stomp, Thriller Live, Top Hat, War Horse, We Will Rock You, and Wicked appearing alongside newcomers Burn The Floor, The Bodyguard, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage, From Here to Eternity, The Golden Voice, High Society, Let It Be, Limbo, Merrily We Roll Along, Once: A New Musical, Peter Pan: Never Ending Story, The Showstoppers and The Sound Of Music.

The event, which attracted over half a million people last year, is free and takes place in the iconic setting of Trafalgar Square today, 22 June 2013, 11am - 6pm and Sunday 23 June 2013, 12pm - 6pm.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, said: "West End LIVE brings the roar of the greasepaint to the heart of the capital and all for free. From curtain up, to the encore, London Theatreland is unbeatable and this is a fabulous way to sample some of the most exciting shows to be seen anywhere in the world."

Cllr Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said: ""This will be the largest West End LIVE we have ever produced - with more shows taking part than ever before. From humble beginnings in Leicester Square nine years ago, our event now attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across London, the rest of the UK and from around the globe. We cannot wait to get the weekend started and showcase exactly what the West End of London has to offer - the best art, musicals and theatre in the world."

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, said: "Theatre is one of the capital's greatest draws with an international reputation for offering world-class entertainment, and West End LIVE is a chance to showcase the quality and range of shows the London stage has to offer as well as putting on a great free event for the public to enjoy."

For more information visit the West End LIVE website www.westendlive.co.uk, and for the latest news and chat visit www.facebook.com/westendlive and Twitter @WestEndLIVE

For all the latest information on West End theatre, and to book tickets for the shows participating in West End LIVE, visit www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk .