London 2012 Festival begins, West End Live this weekend

Comprising 12,000 events and performances involving over 25,000 artists from all
204 participating Olympic Nations, the Festival has been billed by Chairman Tony Hall as “the largest cultural celebration in our lifetimes”.

Theatre highlights include the ongoing World Shakespeare Festival and Big
Dance, and a season of works dedicated to Alan Ayckbourn (for further
details see our earlier story).

There will also be comedy performances from the likes of Tim Minchin
and Stephen Fry, as well as ‘pop up’ activities including Shakespeare
readings from Mark Rylance and a giant bouncy castle rendering of
Stonehenge from artist Jeremy Deller.

West End Live

Musical theatre fans should be sure to head to Trafalgar Square this weekend where the largest ever West End Live is taking place, featuring performances from every major West End musical.

Now in its eighth year, the event – organised by Westminster City
Council and the Society of London Theatre – is the world’s largest free
theatre festival.

Performing for the first time this year will be classic longrunners 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.

There will also be performances from West End Live favourites Billy
Elliot The Musical, Chicago, 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, runs
this year as part of the London 2012 Festival on Saturday 23 June from
11am – 6pm and Sunday 24 June from 12pm – 6pm.

For further details of the London 2012 programme, click here. And you can follow coverage of the many theatre events happening as part of Summer 2012 on our dedicated microsite.