Queen of the London stage reigns supreme at spectacular West End Live
It was in with the new and celebrating the old at West End Live this weekend in London’s Trafalgar Square.
As a crowd of 35,000 cheered, the stage was stolen by the newbies performing for the first time at the festival-style stage in their huge new roles.
Ultimately the show belonged to Zoe Birkett, the former Pop Idol contestant – who was explosive as the new Tina Turner just three days before she joins the sell-out stage show.
There was no sign of first-timer nerves as she quickly won the crowd over with a powerful mash-up including Nutbush City Limits.
But the other newcomers were determined to prove they’d won their stage stripes as they took their places alongside formidable veterans at the ever-popular event.
Best New Musical Operation Mincemeat showcased its new cast, the new Babies the Musical showed terrific potential from young performers as did the Edinburgh Fringe hit Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!
Alex Sawyer, who recently took over as the lead in Hamilton, was the first to truly get the huge crowd going after a slow start to the show (note to producers: choose banging big numbers for a crowd this size).
No one could resist the barn-storming opening number or the track the show’s writer Lin-Manuel Miranda reckons is the hardest to nail – the tongue twistingly fast My Shot.
Former X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke joined singing nuns – including Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph – in her new role as lead in Sister Act while TV and film star Adam Garcia showcased his impressive dancing skills in his own production of Emerald Storm.
And Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams clearly had a ball as the new emcee in Cabaret.
But while the new guys dazzled, old hands proved they’re still the greatest crowd pullers.
Les Misérables’ ensemble in full costume ending on One Day More was the epic it always is while the title track from Phantom of the Opera was spine-tingling.
Six the Musical, meanwhile, had everyone singing along as first Catherine of Aragon and then Anne Boleyn bemoaned their lives with Henry VIII.
Meanwhile Mazz Murray – presenting this year with former Les Mis star Bradley Jaden – showed why she’s Queen of the West End.
After disappearing from stage for a few minutes, she emerged in full Abba flared bodysuit to sing Dancing Queen and Waterloo … and lead the biggest singalong London has seen this year.
West End Live is catnip to musical theatre lovers. Each year, dozens of productions get together to put on a full weekend of free entertainment for fans who, this year, queued through the night for a coveted space at the front.
Lily Wilkins, 23, from Birmingham travelled the night before to sleep on the pavement with her three friends. She said: ‘It wasn’t cold last night but we were too excited to sleep.
‘I can’t wait to see MJ the Musical and Next To Normal. I’ve got to get straight home tonight cos I’m working tomorrow morning but it’ll be worth it!’