It’s coming! West End LIVE 2021 is just around the corner and we cannot wait!
As this is now our 17th West End LIVE, many of you will be familiar with the celebration and joy that’ll occur over the weekend. For those new to the biggest FREE event in the theatre calendar, you have one hell of a show ahead of you. Whether it’s your first time or 17th, we’ve put together a list of things to keep an eye out for over the weekend.
So save the bingo card to your phone, if you spot them all, yell BINGO. No one will look at you weird. Promise.
Check out even more of the stagey, whacky and wonderful things you might see this weekend at West End LIVE!
Stage selfies
It’s been a long year and we think the performers will be just as excited as you are to be back at West End LIVE. With Emma B, Ruthie Henshall, Tom Price and Sonali Shah hosting a couple of selfies won’t go amiss and we’re pretty sure you’re going to spot and appear in a few over the weekend.
Crowd waves
Like moths are drawn to a flame, groups consisting of thousands of people are drawn to crowd waves. Whether they’re from left to right, right to left, front to back or back to front – nothing brings an audience together like a crowd wave.
Actors in full costume walking from the theatre to the stage
With so many people in and around Trafalgar Square, this one’s like the Golden Snitch. They’ll be hard to spot but if you do, it’s GOLD! As many of the shows appearing at West End LIVE will have full shows to perform over the weekend, you might catch a glimpse of the actors making their way from Theatreland to the stage in full garb. Cameras at the ready!
On-point dressing up
While we’re on the subject of costumes, it seems the West End LIVE audience is made up of fans of both musicals AND costumes. Each year, we see a flurry of gussied up attendees and it warms our hearts. And here’s an idea, dress up yourself and check off one of your bingo items automatically…
Show memorabilia
We love a bit of merch and we’re guessing that you do too. That’s why we’re betting you’ll see a shirt from each of the shows. And if not a shirt, at least a flag.
Happy tears
We’ve all been there. We’ve seen our favourite performer live on stage or heard one song that gives us goosebumps and we’ve not been able to hold back the waterworks. West End LIVE can get totes emosh, so be ready with a hanky.
Selfie sticks
So remember those selfies we mentioned? They won’t be just stage-bound. If each member of the audience DOESN’T take a selfie, we’ll eat out top hats. And just remember, if you do take a selfie, share it on social with #WestEndLIVE.
A mass sing-a-long
Do you hear the people sing? You will do at West End LIVE. It’s the biggest live sing-a-long outside of Wembley Arena, so warm up those pipes – you’ll need them.
The pre-number whoop
The intro is being played, the performer has taken in a deep breath and then… there’s a whoop! Relinquished from the theatre silence, many a whoop will be had before that first note is sung on stage.
Lip biting
Sometimes, when the music takes you, your body just can’t stop itself from biting that bottom lip and fist pumping. You’ll see dozens… nay, hundreds of people feeling the groove and themselves over the weekend.
Picnic time
We’ve all gotta eat and after a whole day standing, dancing and singing, it’s no surprise some people opt to sit on the floor and put on a spread. So don’t just watch out for picnickers for your bingo, try not to step in a cheese and pickle.
Sign language interpreter
For those who are hard of hearing or deaf, we have sign language interpreters flanking our stage. Why not try and learn the chorus of a Wicked song…?
Members of the team behind it
Whether it’s Society of London Theatre CEO and producer-extraordinaire Julian Bird, or one of our talented social media team, you’re bound to see at least one of us running around and enjoying the show.
And again, if you want to guarantee a check on that hypothetical bingo card, come and visit us at the Official London Theatre tent for some expert theatre advice and to check out the West End Live merch!