Bernadette Peters and Elaine Paige to host West End Woofs (and Meows) 2026, with special guests confirmed

Stage legends Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters will once again return to hosting duties for the 2026 edition of West End Woofs (and Meows) next month.

The duo will present their fourth annual live event at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, bringing dogs and cats from shelters and hopeful pet owners together, as well as raising funds to benefit various rescue groups. The West End iteration was conceived as a virtual offering during lockdown in 2020 (with the first live version held in 2023), while Broadway Barks, its transatlantic counterpart, has been running for over 25 years.

Paige commented: “I’m so excited about this year’s West End Woofs!  I’m proud to say, it’s become such a successful annual event. Along with our generous cast members, helping find forever loving homes for the wonderful dogs and cats who, for so many different reasons, have found themselves abandoned is very heartwarming. Nothing beats seeing them get the second chance they deserve. Every wagging tail and happy purr is a reminder that a little kindness can change a life!”

Peters added: “I am thrilled to partner again this year with my friend Dame Elaine for our fourth annual West End Woofs, celebrating and finding homes for our furry four-legged wonders who bring love and joy to humankind. My heartfelt gratitude to Londoners who have generously opened their hearts and homes to provide shelter for our beautiful friends.”

West End Woofs (and Meows) will begin at 10:15am with a “meet and greet” with all the adoptable animals, with West End stars appearing from 11am. These include Bella Brown, Janie Dee, Richard Dempsey, Peter Egan, Cole Escola, Sarah Hadland, Bonnie Langford, Jak Malone, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb and Jac Yarrow, with more names to be announced soon, alongside current cast members from Hamilton, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Oliver!, Paddington and The Devil Wears Prada.

Participating shelters and rescue groups include Pro Dogs Direct, Saving Saints Rescue, German Shepherd Rescue South, Noah’s Ark Dog Rescue, Home Run Hounds, All Dogs Matter, Peterborough Cat Rescue and Fetcher Dog.

West End Woofs (and Meows) will take place on Saturday, 15 August. Tickets cost £10 per person and they can be purchased at actorschurch.org.