About West End LIVE
Since 2000, Westminster City Council has organised a number of high profile summer events in the Capital.
Fair in the Square celebrated the Millennium, whereas Fayre in the Square, two years later, marked The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. In June 2004, Leicester Square provided the setting as 50,000 visitors turned out to tap their feet and sing along to Edith Piaf’s ‘La Vie en Rose’, as part of the activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
In 2005, we decided to focus on something more general – the amazing depth and variety of the entertainment offered in the heart of London.
With much persuasion, four shows – CHICAGO, MAMMA MIA!, THE BIG LIFE and MARY POPPINS agreed to perform, and West End Live was born. A huge hit in its first year, West End Live has since become a crucial fixture in London's entertainment calendar with a staggering twenty shows involved at West End LIVE 2008.
Of course entertainment in the West End is about much more than musical theatre. Performance arts, visual arts, flagship retail stores and tourist attractions are just some of the many highlights. And let us not forget the film and cinema industry, with Leicester Square providing the setting for many of our blockbuster premieres.This made the participation of Paramount, Disney and Lionsgate at last years event especially pleasing.
Ultimately West End Live is about bringing people together to enjoy the very best entertainment that London has to offer in a safe, family focused environment, and the desire is to make West End LIVE 2009 our biggest yet.
And remember, it's all free!
