Record numbers flock to Leicester Square for world's largest free theatre festival (02/07/2008)

A record number of people flocked to Leicester Square this weekend to take part in West End LIVE - the largest free theatre festival in the world.

Highlights of the free festival included performances from BBC talent show "Any Dream Will Do" winner, Lee Mead, as Joseph, former Hearsay singer Suzanne Shaw in her debut stage role as Roxie Hart in Chicago and the UK's first glimpse of the stage version of the hit film High School Musical with actress Letitia Dean.

King of the Jungle, Christopher Biggins, who won "I'm a celebrity Get Me Out Of Here" last summer compered the event and guided audiences through a string of favourites such as "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" from Jersey Boys, "Voulez Vous" from Mamma Mia! and "I'm Having The Time Of My Life" from Dirty Dancing.

The showcase, which is organised by Westminster Council and is now in its fourth year, was so popular some eager visitors started queuing at 4am to ensure they got the best spot to watch the shows.

A total of 22 shows including Wicked, The Sound of Music and Divas performed on a giant outdoor stage in Leicester Square at the weekend-long event and visitor numbers are expected to top last year's total of 150,000.

Cllr Robert Davis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Special Events, said: "Without doubt, this has been our biggest and best West End LIVE. We've seen spectacular performances from some of the nation's favourites shows such as Joseph, Wicked and The Sound of Music as well as brilliant acts representing Notting Hill Carnival, The Big Dance and Pride.

"This event is a showcase for everything the West End has to offer and this weekend I think we've proved there really is something for everyone."

Sylvia Young attended the event to watch some of her current pupils as well as former student Letitia Dean - who is best known for her role as Sharon in EastEnders - with the cast of the eagerly anticipated High School Musical, which opens at the end of the month.

As well as the shows on the main stage, visitors at the family-friendly event could wander around dozens of marquees filled with exhibits and activities for children from the likes of the Science Museum, Serpentine Gallery and Wallace Collection.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, which opens later this summer in the Trocadero, had visitors grimacing over a contortionist's unnatural flexibility while those at the Kung Fu Panda tent by film company Paramount were offered panda face painting and martial arts demonstrations.

LEGO, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, had lots on offer for children to do and BBC children's presenter Justin Fletcher was on hand to entertain younger audiences too.

London Mayor Boris Johnson attended the official opening of the event on Friday evening.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Shows that took part were -

All Bob's Woman

Avenue Q

Betwixt

Brief Encounter

Buddy

Chicago

Dickens Unplugged

Dirty Dancing

Divas

Grease

High School Musical

Into the Hoods

Jersey Boys

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Mamma Mia!

Never Forget

The 39 Steps

The Lord of the Rings

The Sound of Music

Stomp

We Will Rock You

Wicked