West End LIVE 2021 is just weeks away and we cannot wait to be back in Trafalgar Square, celebrating the magic of theatre with you all.
This year’s line-up is more exciting than ever as it brings together West End classics alongside brand new shows AND the first ever West End LIVE performances from two award-winning musicals.
So whether you fancy a stagey weekend of singing and dancing along to your fave shows or would like a taster of what’s new in the West End, check out our roundup of shows making their West End LIVE debuts from 18-19 September.
Cinderella
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly anticipated rags-to-riches re-telling will be making its West End LIVE debut weeks’ after it’s world premiere opened in the West End to rave reviews. In this brand new musical, the classic fairytale that we all know and love is completely rewritten, allowing theatre fans a chance to see Cinderella like they’ve never before (think: a goth Cinderella in Doc Martins!)
The starry cast includes Carrie Hope Fletcher as Cinderella and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as the Stepmother and the show is packed with moments of laughter, edginess, romance and some incredibly powerful voices! Featuring a brand new score by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Oscar-nominated David Zippel, we’re certain Cinderella’s West End LIVE debut will be an unforgettable one.
Disney’s Frozen
Disney’s Frozen is coming to West End LIVE and we’re so excited we can’t let it go! (You see what we did there?) 🙂
Whether you’re a fan of the movie, lover of Disney or fancy a sneak preview of this highly anticipated brand new West End show, this is your opportunity to enjoy some incredibly magical (albeit frosty!) performances from Disney’s Frozen.
Debuting at West End LIVE 2021, just weeks after it’s world premiere, we’re so excited to see Elsa and Anna come to life on stage in this heart-melting show that promises brand new music from the same writers of the extremely catchy track, Let It Go. And, if you’d like to enjoy some behind-the-scenes ahead of West End LIVE, check out our exclusive 2-part video series here.
Dear Evan Hansen
Time to dust off your blue striped polo and head to the stagiest annual event to see Dear Evan Hansen make it’s debut on the West End LIVE stage. This is the perfect inspiration to see the full show (if you haven’t already!) or a cheeky preview of the plot ahead of the film release in October!
The Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning coming-of-age musical explores the struggles and dilemmas of an alienated teenager through a selection of beautiful pop rock songs performed by an orchestra of eight members.
With music and lyrics written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also worked together on movies La La Land and The Greatest Showman, the songs beautifully capture Evan’s deeply personal and profound story about life and the way we live it. Just check out Sam Tutty’s moving performance of Waving Through A Window at the Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard above.
Hamilton
Fusing together hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap and R&B, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Oliver and Tony Award-winning masterpiece is set to be one of the highlights of the weekend.
The global sensation reopened in the West End earlier this month after a long 18-months and the cast “absolutely smashed it.” Find out more about our experience, here.
Besides giving you a dose of inspiration (and some amazing beats to move to!), this song sets up the main character of Alexander Hamilton and beautifully summarises the first two decades of his life.
Following the release of the cast recording in September 2015, Hamilton has been recorded as the highest-charting cast album since 1963. Come along and be swept off your feet with this breathtaking show, hailed as revolutionary theatre.
The Book Of Mormon
The Book Of Mormon musical 2018 (Photo: Johan Persson)
Whether you’ve seen the smash-hit West End musical and loved it or have heard all the buzz about the show and want to enjoy a sneak peek before purchasing tickets, this West End favourite will be making its debut at West End Live this year to much much fan fare.
The Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical The Book Of Mormon tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries who travel to Africa to preach the Mormon religion, only to discover they have a lot more to learn about the real world than they have to teach about Mormonism.
Written by sitcom creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and the co-creator of Avenue Q, Robert Lopez, this satirical musical makes humour at everything from the economy to musical theatre itself! Come along to see The Book Of Mormon at West End LIVE and you’ll be in for a sing-along and a laugh.
Back To The Future: The Musical
Great Scott! If you loved the cult 1985 movie starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd (because who didn’t?), you’ll be thrilled to know that Back To The Future The Musical will be performing at West End LIVE this year.
Hang out with rock ‘n’ roll high school teenager Marty McFly, his the eccentric friend, Dr Emmett Brown and take a ride in the time-travelling DeLorean back to 1955.
This musical is a must for nostalgia lovers, so if that’s you, come along to West End LIVE and relive the pop-culture phenomenon as it comes alive on stage.
Magic Goes Wrong
West End LIVE would not be complete without a dose of laughs from the masterminds at Mischief Theatre. Created alongside Las Vegas legends Penn & Teller, The Play That Goes Wrong will make your face and belly ache with laughter!
When a gang of magicians attempt to present a charity event, everything that can goes wrong, does and anything funny that can possible happens, probably will! Magic and comedy – that’s a winning combo that’s a recipe for success.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Are you ready to be swept off your feet? While West End LIVE will naturally do that over the course of the fun-filled weekend, Pretty Woman: The Musical will be adding a big, HUGE dose of romance to it all.
The feel-good West End show brings to life one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories with West End superstars Aimie Atkinson (Six, In The Heights) playing Vivian Ward and Danny Mac (White Christmas, Sunset Boulevard) as Edward Lewis.
We went to check out the show as it returned #BackOnStage in July and the epic curtain call was complete with romantic lifts, twirls and a super pumped audience! You can watch it, here and get prepared for a seriously showstopping West End LIVE debut!
The Prince Of Egypt
Trafalgar Square will be transformed into Ancient Egypt this September, thanks to the stunning West End production of The Prince Of Egypt.
With a huge cast and orchestra of 60 artists, this phenomenal production is truly epic, and we’re certain their debut will be equally impressive. And, if you’re a fan of the classic DreamWorks movie, you’ll be pleased to know that the show will feature 10 new songs and 5 of the acclaimed songs from the film, including Deliver Us, All I Ever Wanted, Through Heaven’s Eyes and When You Believe.
While we’re not giving away what songs will be performed (such a tease, we know!), we’re certain this will be one of a kind!
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is London’s longest running immersive theatrical production and their West End LIVE debut is the perfect opportunity for everyone to enjoy a little 1920s jazz not to mention, getting an insight into what the unique immersive experience is all about.
Step into the roaring twenties where Jay Gatsby will take you into the hedonistic world of champagne, self-indulgence and cabaret in a reimagined version of F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. From showstopping song and dance numbers to incredibly beautiful costumes, this immersive show aims to put you, the audiences, right in the centre of the story.
If you’re looking to book something different with your pals, a night that promises plenty of party-vibes and fun, you should definitely pop along to West End LIVE 2021 to check out The Great Gatsby’s performance. After our Theatre Chat Live with the Olivier Award-winning producer, Brian Hook, we’re certain you’ll be booking tickets and if you don’t believe us, just check out the episode above.
The Last Five Years
Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson in The Last Five Years (Photo credit: Pamela Raith)
If like me, you’re a complete sucker for romance, you’ll be pleased to know that Jason Robert Brown’s award-winning musical, The Last Five Years, will be performing at West End LIVE 2021 and honestly, we can’t wait!
Following two sell-out seasons at Southwark Playhouse and streamed performances that smashed records with audiences viewing worldwide, this emotional and powerful love story is one that you can’t afford to miss.
The story is about – yes you guessed it – two New Yorkers who fall in and out of love over the course of five years! What makes this poignant story especially unique though, is that it’s told through the actor-musicians playing the piano, ukulele and guitar live throughout the show! From moments of romance and spark to lust and bitter sweetness, you can expect to go on a full ride of magical emotions with The Last Five Year’s West End LIVE 2021 performance.
Dr Who: Time Fracture
Whether you’re a fan of the Sci-Fi serial or are looking for a theatre experience that’s a little different, this brand new immersive theatrical adventure (from the creative minds behind The Great Gatsby) will plunge you into a epic journey across space and time.
You’ll get to see some of the original costumes and props used across various episodes and you’ll encounter Daleks, Cybermen, Weeping Angels and a host of other well-known characters, allowing you to immerse yourself into the universe of Doctor Who right there in Trafalgar Square!
It’s chaotic, it’s entertaining and above all, it’s fun – all in the name of saving existence! 🙂
The Choir of Man
(Photo credit: Steve Schuff)
High energy dance, live music and foot stomping choreography is everything that West End LIVE embodies and thankfully, we’ve got a brand new hit coming to the stage to offer more of just that.
9 incredibly talented guys will be showcasing everything from sing-along classics and pub tunes to folk, classic rock and iconic Broadway numbers. As for the setting, think of the greatest, most lively pub gig you’ve ever been to…. now times that by 20 and that’s only just skimming the surface of what The Choir Of Man has to offer!
From tap dancers and poets to singers and instrumentalists, there’s something for everyone in this feel-good show and we’re certain the West End LIVE debut will have us singing and dancing along the way.
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World
Based on the picture book by Kate Pankhurst, the brand new inspirational pop musical, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World will be taking to the West End LIVE stage ahead of it’s world premiere in November.
You can expect to meet explorers and artists to scientists and secret agents with a chance to hear stories from history’s strongest mothers, sisters and daughters.
This empowering new show promises characters and songs that pack a popstar punch all while learning about iconic women who changed the world. If you need a little girl power, something to kickstart that motivation as we all return to school and work or to find out more about the women we have to be thankful for, don’t miss this performance at West End LIVE this year.
If the above has got you feeling pumped, you’re not alone. We are counting down the days to the stagiest event of the year and we can’t wait for you to join us. Check out the full line up here (and remember, there are more to be announced in the lead up!), and if you have any questions, be sure to check out our FAQ’s here.
Save the date and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and sign-up to our emails to be one of the first to know all the latest news. In the meantime, you can enjoy a little taste of West End LIVE with our videos of past performances and fun quizzes here and on our YouTube channel here. We can’t wait to welcome you back!