Gays to feature at free West End musical event
The London Gay Men’s Chorus will sing to thousands of fans at the UK’s biggest free theatre festival in the heart of the capital next week.
The chorus – the best known gay choir in Europe, with 200 singing members – will perform at West End Live in Leicester Square.
They will join a host of top West End shows at the festival such as Dirty Dancing, Avenue Q, Fame, Mamma Mia, Little Shop of Horrors, Menopause the Musical, Drowsy Chaperone and the Sound of Music.
Other confirmed acts include Chicago, featuring former boyband star Duncan James, and the Lord of the Rings with Olivier award-winner Laura Michelle Kelly.
Each act will perform an excerpt form their show over the weekend of June 23 and 24 from 12pm to 6.30pm.
The free festival, which is organised by Westminster City Council, is set to attract more than 150,000 people.
It will also feature other musical and dance acts, live broadcasts, arts workshops and interactive exhibitions from some of the capital’s best known attractions including the Science Museum, the National Gallery and the Wallace Collection.
Further highlights include exhibitions by comic superstore Forbidden Planet, Film London, the Cartoon Museum, the Serpentine Gallery, Disney, stage combat demonstrations, an exhibition of classic film cars and live broadcasts from Capital Radio’s studio bus.
The Sylvia Young Theatre School and hip-hop dance troupe ZooNation will also perform.
Cllr Robert Davis, Westminster’s Cabinet Member for Special Events, said:
“West End Live is the biggest free event in the showbiz calendar. There is simply nothing else like it in the UK.
“From the very best that Theatreland has to offer to the latest children’s shows, there really is something for everyone.
“We are also thrilled to have so many top acts appearing. Their support and backing is proof of what a major attraction West End Live has become.”
The festival, now in its third year, will see Leicester Square transformed into a huge open air venue with a giant outdoor stage to showcase the best of London’s entertainment and leisure industry.
Last year’s festival attracted 130,000 people over the course of the weekend.
The West End has the highest concentration of theatres of anywhere in the world.
Theatreland attracts about 12 million visitors each year and contributes £1 billion to the UK economy.
For more information and regular updates visit www.westendlive.co.uk
