8 tips to get the stagiest enjoyment from West End Live

West End Live returns tomorrow offering up a whole weekend of free entertainment from shows, performers and companies across London – the greatest theatre city in the world. To ensure you make the most of the weekend we round up our top tips below.

1. The stone cold facts

Location: Trafalgar Square (the one with Nelson's Column in it), London, United Kingdom, Earth.
Dates and times: Saturday 24 June, 11.00 – 18.00 and Sunday 25 June, 12.00 – 17.00.

2. Leave your bag at home

As is to be expected, security at this weekend's event will be higher than usual. Bag checks will be carried out on every visitor, so what better way to ensure that you're at the front and within spitting distance of Trevor Dion Nicholas (don't spit at the Genie), than to leave your bag at home.

3. Prepare for all weathers

If the good ol' weatherman is correct then it will be lovely and sunny all weekend, so make sure you drink lots of water and wear sunscreen. But maybe tie a waterproof mac around your waist just in case – no umbrellas though, you don't want to be the one that blocks everyone's view of Elphie and Glinda.

4. Plan your day

Unless you are the stagiest of them all, it's unlikely that you will be stood in front of the stage all day – we all need to pee and eat cake. So to help you avoid missing Danny Mac do the splits or the return of Toxie, there's a full list of the times each act will be playing here.

5. Send us your pics

We'll be rounding up the best pics from the weekend in a lovely article on WhatsOnStage, so send us your Elphie selfies on Twitter to @WhatsOnStage or email them to editorial@whatsonstage.com.

6. No booze

Before you think that the whole event is going to be like a visit to the Thenardier's boozer, West End Live is an alcohol-free event, so leave the prosecco at home, it'll taste nicer in your Phantom of the Opera crystal flute anyway.

7. Play West End Live bingo

Items to tick off: Julian Bird (chief exec of the Society of London Theatre) roaming Trafalgar Square interviewing sponsors; a Wicked iPhone case; Ben Forster fangirls waving Phantom-masked teddy bears; radio presenters getting the names of shows wrong; more mexican waves than Cancun beach; and Jeremy Corbyn leading a chorus of "Do You Hear The People Sing?" – We can but hope…

8. Be safe and have fun

West End Live is a highlight of every true theatregoer's year – even in times like these – so be safe, vigilant and most importantly HAVE FUN.