West End marks 350 years of theatre

Jersey Boys and Les Miserables have been declared as shows performing free songs to the public, to mark 350 years of West End theatre.

West End Live, which is the annual festival of musical and theatre, is now in its ninth year at it will be staged in Trafalgar Square on 22 and 23 June, the BBC reported.

Sir Tim Rice's new musical 'From Here to Eternity' will be previewed during the show.

The musical, which opens in the autumn, is set on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in 1941, before and during the attack on Pearl Harbour.

Cast members from Billy Elliot The Musical, Jersey Boys, Disney's The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, and Matilda The Musical will be among those featuring in this year's line-up.

London Mayor Boris Johnson told the publication that West End Live brings the roar of the greasepaint to the heart of the capital and all for free.

"From curtain up, to the encore, London Theatreland is unbeatable and this is a fabulous way to sample some of the most exciting shows to be seen anywhere in the world," Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Westminster City Councillor Robert Davis said that this will be the largest West End Live they have ever produced, with more shows taking part than ever before.