Galas: Katrina joins West End Eurovision, Daniel Boys in Help for Heroes concert
The show sees casts from the West End’s biggest shows do battle with Eurovision covers in aid of entertainment charity TheatreMAD.
Participating shows this year include: Spamalot, Billy Elliot, Wicked, Rock of Ages, Once, Viva Forever, Top Hat, Mamma Mia!, Phantom of the Opera and A Chorus Line.
Joining Russell Grant on this year’s celebrity judging panel are Jodie Prenger (winner of BBC’s talent search I’d Do Anything) and Rylan Clark (X Factor finalist and Celebrity Big Brother winner).
TheatreMAD’s chairman, David Pendlebury said: “We are absolutely delighted that Jodie and Rylan have kindly agreed to support this year’s West End Eurovision and the work of The Make A Difference Trust as members of our Celebrity Judging Panel. Having both been on the receiving end of the judges’ comments on I’d Do Anything and The X Factor respectively, it will be a fun opportunity for them to offer their comments to those shows taking part.”
Richard Gauntlett will be joined by celebrity guest hosts Sinitta, Christopher Biggins, Kerry Ellis and Harriet Thorpe to curate the performances.
Last year’s contest was won by Sweeney Todd, led by former Eurovision entrant Michael Ball (see video).
Tickets for this year’s West End Eurovision are priced from £25 and are available through 0844 847 2510.
The Dominion Theatre is also set to host West End Heroes, on Sunday 23 June. The concert, in aid of the charity Help for Heroes, will celebrate the UK’s “finest military musicians and the greatest West End shows and show-stopping songs”, supported by a 50 piece orchestra from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
The event will also feature: RAF Squadronaires Big Band, Royal Marines Corp of Drums, We Will Rock You, War Horse, Spamalot, 42nd Street, Wicked, Stomp and Some Like it Hip Hop, with guest appearances from Joe McElderry, Daniel Boys, The Overtones, The Soldiers, The Spitfire Kids, Woman The Band (Mazz and Gina Murray and Emma Kershaw), and many more to be confirmed.
Help for Heroes’ CEO Bryn Parry said: “Help for Heroes is all about ‘doing your bit’ and West End Heroes is a wonderful example of people coming together to raise money for a worthwhile cause. Because of events like this and people like you raising money, we are able to provide practical, direct support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of their service.”
Tickets are on sale priced from £45. To book visit www.westendheroes.com
