West End LIVE in association with MasterCard has announced an incredible line-up for its 10th anniversary year, with more than 20 top London shows performing in Trafalgar Square and a new special pop-up Theatre Emporium in Leicester Square.
More than 500,000 theatre fans are expected to attend the hugely popular annual free festival on 21 and 22 June, and today’s announcement sees a host of surprises revealed to help celebrate a decade of the event that brings the best of London theatre to the public.
In Trafalgar Square, West End LIVE will continue to offer its jam-packed celebration of all things musical with two days of amazing entertainment at the iconic landmark from legendary musicals, popular dance shows and a selection of the West End’s most famous venues.
Shows returning to the Trafalgar Square stage include West End favourites Billy Elliot The Musical, The Bodyguard, Disney’s The Lion King, ZooNation’s Groove On Down The Road, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Let It Be, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Once, The Phantom Of The Opera, Stomp, Thriller Live and Wicked.
There will also be an exciting line-up of West End LIVE debut performances from more recent London arrivals including 20th Century Boy, The Commitments, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Forbidden Broadway, The Gershwins’ Porgy And Bess, Miss Saigon and The Pajama Game, while opera fans will be treated to stunning performances by the Royal Opera House Chorus, which will be led by the world famous singer and conductor Plácido Domingo, and the English National Opera.
One of the surprise announcements today is the addition of an incredible cabaret section entitled 10 From 10 to celebrate a decade of West End LIVE. Taking place on Sunday, 10 From 10 will feature 10 iconic songs from favourite West End shows from the past decade, with a star-studded line-up returning to their former roles to perform.
As part of the birthday fun, this year West End LIVE will not only celebrate musicals but also drama as the festival extends to Leicester Square where theatre lovers can peek behind the scenes in West End LIVE’s stunning 1920s Spiegeltent Theatre Emporium.
As well as an insight into all the elements that bring plays to life on stage, including scripts, costumes and special effects, we’ll also be there with a series of intimate In Conversations, giving you access to a host of the West End’s most prolific actors and theatremakers, including the casts of Olivier Award-winning show Handbagged, forthcoming screen to stage adaptation Shakespeare In Love and director of the moment Jamie Lloyd.
The Official London Theatre In Conversations with… sessions will take place at various times over the weekend and are free but ticketed. Full details of the shows and stars taking part and how you can book your tickets will be announced on Official London Theatre later this week.
Speaking about this year’s unbelievable line-up, Cllr Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, who created West End LIVE 10 years ago, said: “2014 is a very special year as it marks a decade of West End LIVE, and we are still the only festival in the world that brings together the best of musical theatre and more in one place for free. Come and join us and let’s make this the best year yet.”
We’ll be there on the weekend at both Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, helping you to make the most of your festival weekend and offering you an exclusive peek behind the scenes. Make sure to follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest West End LIVE news.