West End LIVE To Bring The Best of London's Entertainment to Trafalgar

More than 20 world class shows are set to take to the stage in Trafalgar Square on the 18th and 19th June for the seventh West End LIVE.

This annual free entertainment festival is presented by Westminster City Council in partnership with the Society of London Theatre. This year for the first time ever, West End LIVE will be staged in association with MasterCard as part of their on-going support for London Theatre.

The award winning event, which is usually held in Leicester Square, will be hosted in the iconic Trafalgar Square with 500,000 visitors expected to help make the two-day extravaganza even bigger and better than ever.

The dazzling line-up will showcase the best of the West End's theatre and entertainment including performances from West End LIVE favourites Billy Elliot - The Musical, Wicked, Jersey Boys and Priscilla Queen of the Desert to brand new shows such as The Wizard of Oz, Shrek the Musical, Betty Blue Eyes and Ghost The Musical.

West End LIVE was first proposed by Cllr Robert Davis, Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council, as part of the council's wider commitments to help rejuvenate the West End and as a way of showcasing the quality and diversity of entertainment in and around the local area.

Over the years it's estimated the festival has showcased more than 200 performances, which have featured the work of more than 2,000 artists and have been attended by around 2million visitors.

Cllr Davis said: "West End LIVE not only offers a fabulous opportunity to sample some of the very best family entertainment and theatre the West End has to offer but it also provides an opportunity to truly understand what makes London's West End such a world-renowned destination for the millions of visitors who flock here each year.

"The event also has a significant positive impact on the local economy, bringing in millions of pounds of income to our theatres, bars, restaurants, shops and businesses and generates a real buzz among those who visit."

Last year's event generated £3million for the local economy, with local businesses reporting a 20% increase in revenue compared to the previous weekend.

In addition, the Society of London Theatre tkts booth recorded a 53% increase in ticket sales with many of the participating shows reporting a significant rise in their ‘on the door trade'.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, said: "I am delighted that we are working even more closely with West End LIVE this year and developing our growing relationship with MasterCard to create an unrivalled, theatrical spectacle on a greater scale than ever before."

As well as the many theatre productions the event also showcases top-class jazz and blues bands and provides a gateway to some of the city's finest museums and galleries.

There will also be a wide range of family friendly activities on offer, including crown making, a ‘Theatreland safari' and appearances from Bob The Builder and Angelina Ballerina.

In addition visitors can take part in a number of interactive activities, with marquees from some of London's most popular institutions including the National Gallery, the Science Museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, the London Film Museum and the Forbidden Planet Store.
West End LIVE takes place on the 18th and 19th June with entertainment from 11am on the Saturday and 12pm on the Sunday. Entry is free and visitors are admitted on a first-come-first-served basis.

Full details including the event line-up can be found on the West End LIVE website www.westendlive.co.uk

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