Features

Our guide to West End Live 2015

The event takes place in Trafalgar Square, London this weekend

Theatre goers enjoy the festivities at last year's West End Live
Visitors enjoy the festivities at last year's West End Live
© Ben Hewis

One of our favourite weekends of the year is fast approaching, West End Live. Now in its eleventh year, the event sees the great and good of theatreland descend on Trafalgar Square for two days of theatrical merriment. With performances from the majority of the musicals in the West End, as well as discussions and masterclasses in the Leicester Square Spiegeltent, it really is an event not to be missed.

We've put together a handy guide to ensure you get the most out of the weekend. Don't forget to tweet us your photos over the weekend and we'll be sure to share our favourites.

5 things to take with you

1. Selfie Stick

The crowd packed into Trafalgar Square for the 10th annual West End Live
The crowd packed into Trafalgar Square for the 10th annual West End Live
(© Ben Hewis)

Why take a selfie of you and your mate, when you can take a photo of thousands of equally stagey people all together?

2. Water

It is ALWAYS hot for West End Live (fingers crossed, touch wood, rub a rabbit's foot), so make sure you take plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.

3. Suncream

As above, the sun WILL* be shining, so make sure you don't end up like Elphaba up there who forgot to reapply after being soaked with water.

*Sun not guaranteed.

4. Food…

Yes, you are in central London and there's plenty of places to buy munchies, but once you are in Trafalgar Square and inches away from your theatrical idols, do you really want to leave your spot? Take yourself a packed lunch and make it more fun by filling it with theatre related food, starting with these cupcakes.

5. Printable schedule

Rather than spending the whole day asking 'Who's on next?', familiarise yourself with the schedule. You'll find the order of play for both days of West End Live below, you can also download a printable version here.

The Schedule

Saturday 20 June

11.00 The Commitments
11.15 Billy Elliot The Musical
11.25 Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
11.40 Wicked
11.50 Sunny Afternoon
12.05 Memphis The Musical
12.20 Matilda The Musical
12.30 Miss Saigon
12.45 The Phantom Of The Opera
13.00 Les Misérables
13.15 Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
13.35 Mamma Mia!
13.50 Jersey Boys
14.10 Dusty
14.25 Shrek The Musical
14.35 Thriller Live
15.00 Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
15.20 Sylvia Young Theatre School
15.40 Carmen
15.50 West End Gospel Choir
16.05 American Idiot The Musical
16.25 Elf The Musical
16.40 Stiles & Drewe’s The 3 Little Pigs
16.55 The Dreamers
17.10 Impossible
17.25 Stomp
17.40 Gypsy
17.50 Let It Be

Sunday 21 June

12.00 What’s It All About? Bacharach Reimagined
12.20 Disney’s The Lion King
12.30 The Commitments
12.50 Stomp
13.05 Matilda The Musical
13.15 Thriller Live
13.40 Billy Elliot The Musical
13.50 Memphis The Musical
14.10 Carmen
14.20 Jersey Boys
14.40 Dusty
14.55 Let It Be
15.15 West End Masterclass
15.35 American Idiot The Musical
15.50 Avenue Q
16.05 West End Kids
16.20 Briefs
16.30 Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
16.55 The West End Cabaret
17.45 Lord Of The Dance – Dangerous Games

West End Live Bingo…

How many of the following can you spot?