West End LIVE in association with MasterCard is back for its 8th year, and the stage is set for the event to kick off a “summer like no other” – as for the first time it features entertainment from every single West End musical London has to offer.

The annual festival – organised by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre, in association with MasterCard – is the largest of its type in the UK

With every West End musical involved, theatre fans will not be disappointed as performing for the first time ever at West End LIVE will be long-running classic musicals BLOOD BROTHERS, LES MISÉRABLES and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, alongside other event newcomers DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS, HORRIBLE HISTORIES, MATILDA THE MUSICAL, RAGTIME THE MUSICAL, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, SWEENEY TODD and TOP HAT. Plus the return of West End LIVE favourites BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, CHICAGO, DISNEY’S THE LION KING, GHOST THE MUSICAL, JERSEY BOYS, MAMMA MIA!, ROCK OF AGES, SHREK THE MUSICAL, STOMP, THRILLER LIVE, WAR HORSE, WE WILL ROCK YOU, WICKED and THE WIZARD OF OZ.

The event, which attracted over half a million people last year, is free and takes place in the iconic setting of Trafalgar Square on Saturday 23 June 2012, 11am – 6pm, Sunday 24 June 2012, 12pm – 6pm.

Cllr Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said: “This really will be a summer like no other and we are delighted to once again bring the magic of West End musicals to Trafalgar Square for free. This is 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.”

Paul Trueman, Head of Marketing at MasterCard UK & Ireland, said, “We’re proud to be partnering with SOLT to support West End LIVE for a second year as part of our Priceless London programme. London’s West End is celebrated all over the world for its spectacular productions and West End LIVE is a unique opportunity for the public to get even closer to the best of British theatre in one of London´s most iconic spaces, Trafalgar Square."
Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, said: “London is truly the theatre capital of the world. West End LIVE will showcase exactly why nearly 14 million Londoners and visitors flocked to our theatres last year and give a taste of the world-class musicals they can enjoy this summer.”

West End LIVE is one of the highlights of the opening weekend of the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.