West End Stars Join The Mayor To Spread The Message That #LondonIsOpen

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today trod the boards in the capital's West End as world-renowned shows and big international stars lent their support to his campaign to remind the world that London is open to creativity and talent.

This morning, 38 shows across the capital released photos of their casts gathered on stage to show the industry's collective support for the Mayor's #LondonIsOpen campaign, which launched last week to spread the message that, following the EU referendum, London remains united, full of creativity and open for business.

Big names taking part include Martin Shaw and the cast of Hobson's Choice, Rebel Wilson and the performers from Guys and Dolls, Michael Crawford and the cast of The Go-Between, Pixie Lott and the Breakfast At Tiffany's cast, Beverley Knight and performers from The Bodyguard, Jenny Seagrove and Gillian Wright with the cast of How The Other Half Loves, and the cast of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.

The Mayor today joined the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at London's oldest theatre, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, along with Jonathan Slinger who plays Willy Wonka, and the President of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and show producer Caro Newling.

Sadiq Khan said: "Few if any other cities can rival London for arts and culture, and our West End shows are an enormous draw for visitors and talent from around the world. Together, we are sending the message, loud and clear, that London is open. We are open to the world's performers, to businesses, to people and ideas, and I encourage everyone to join us in getting behind the campaign and remind the world that London is the greatest city on earth."

Caro Newling, President of Society of London Theatre, said: "London theatre has never been so vibrant; attracting audiences with the finest writers, directors, actors and producers from all over the world. The industry's spirit of inclusiveness and cultural collaboration provides audiences with a truly unmatched experience and our message from all of the capital's auditoriums and stage doors is, London Is Open. "

The #LondonIsOpen logo will also be visible across Theatreland this summer with venues and shows beaming the hashtag inside and outside of their iconic auditoriums. Theatre fans will be able to see #LondonIsOpen in lights at performances of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, Impossible, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Railway Children, In The Heights and Guys and Dolls and outside at TKTS in Leicester Square and the Young Vic.

London's West End attracts a bigger audience than Broadway, and a bigger audience than the Premier League, with around 14million theatregoers each year, and an average of more than 36,000 every night. Theatreland is also responsible for raising more than £100m a year in tax receipts for the Treasury.

The Mayor is urging all Londoners, organisations and businesses to show their support for the #LondonIsOpen message via social media and videos and photos of doors opening around London to welcome people in. It is being supported by a host of top names, businesses, and organisations across the capital including top music stars Jessie Ware, Tinchy Stryder and The Vamps, Richard Branson, City of London Policy Chairman Mark Boleat, Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange Xavier Rolet, Google, Hilton, Merlin Entertainments, Freuds, Chief Executive of Patisserie Valerie Paul May, Pavegen, Central Working, Swiftkey, Seedrs, Unruly, Nigel Carrington, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts, Prof Julia Black, Interim Director designate and Pro Director for Research, London School of Economics, Professor Edward Byrne AC, President & Principal, King's College London and Professor Pat Bailey, Deputy Vice Chancellor, London South Bank University.

#LondonIsOpen will be promoted at other major events and leading visitor attractions across the capital this summer.