West End LIVE Festival Launches Annual Celebration, 6/19 - 6/20

 

West End LIVE, the world's largest free entertainment festival, returns to the heart of London to showcase the magic of the world-class West End theatre scene over the weekend of 19 and 20 June 2010.

Crowds can enjoy thrilling performances on a giant open air stage from hit shows Wicked, Disney's The Lion King, Hair, Legally Blonde, Chicago, Oliver!, Love Never Dies, Avenue Q, Sister Act, Into the Woods, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Burn the Floor, Tap Dogs, Grease, Mamma Mia!, Stomp, Dirty Dancing, All the Fun of the Fair, Thriller Live, The Fantasticks, We Will Rock You and Jersey Boys.

At the time of going to press, highlights include SheriDan Smith as Elle Woods in LEGALLY BLONDE, Kerry Ellis as Nancy in CameRon Mackintosh's OLIVER!, Patina Miller as Delores in SISTER ACT and Hannah Waddingham as the Witch in Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS.

Westminster City Council is also hosting a variety of fun activities for all the family including The Fireman Sam Show, and interactive entertainment from the London Film Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Forbidden Planet Store.

Heart 106.2 is the exclusive media partner for the event, with morning presenter Toby Anstis compering on the Saturday.

This summer promises to be bigger and better than ever before with a record-breaking 22 musicals on board. Nearly a quarter of a million people came to West End LIVE last year, with the event winning The People's Choice Music Event of the Year Award at the 2009 Visit London Awards.

Cllr Robert Davis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Special Events at Westminster City Council, said: "We have an excellent line up at West End LIVE this year with a record 22 shows confirmed so far. The weekend promises to be a fantastic showcase of what the West End has to offer, and because it's free, it is open to everyone to come along to enjoy the shows and entertainment on offer."

Nica Burns, President of the Society of London Theatre, said: "London has the best theatre in the world and West End LIVE is a fantastic opportunity for people to sample some of the West End's most popular shows for free. We've got a stellar line up of numbers from some of our greatest shows. Join us in celebrating the success of an industry that provides joy to millions of people around the world and contributes more than £2billion a year to the economy. A big thank you to Westminster City Council for hosting this fantastic event."

 

West End LIVE will perform on Saturday 19 June 2010, 11.00am - 6.00pm and on Sunday 20 June 2010, 12.00pm - 6.00pm at Leicester Square, London WC2. For More detailed information, visit www.westendlive.co.uk.