West End shows hit the streets

Crowds of 200,000 are expected to enjoy the best of the West End's entertainment at a free festival in Leicester Square this weekend.

Highlights of West End Live include performances by talk-show host Jerry Springer in his role as Billy Flynn in Chicago and the BBC's I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger, who will perform as Nancy in Oliver!

There will also be excerpts from other musicals including Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Wicked, We Will Rock You, Dirty Dancing, Avenue Q and Sister Act on a giant open-air stage.

Car lovers will be able to see the Batmobile from the 1989 Batman film, the General Lee — a 1969 Dodge Charger — from The Dukes Of Hazzard, the DeLorean from Back To The Future, Herbie the Volkswagen Beetle, as well as cars from the Flintstones and the Noddy-mobile.

Harry Potter fans will be able to climb aboard a truck which is exhibiting film props from the Half-Blood Prince, which is due to be released next month.

They include the costumes of Professor Dumbledore and Harry as well as a Firebolt broomstick.

Visitors can also enter a competition to tour Leavesden Studios, Watford, to see the Harry Potter sets and have the chance to appear in the final film in the series.

Children will be able to watch TV favourites Bob The Builder, Barney, Fireman Sam and Angelina Ballerina, and Postman Pat will be in the crowd.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium will show off curiosities such as the world's smallest car and largest inflatable man, and other activities include having caricatures drawn, having professional stage make-up applied, making puppets and exploding rockets.

The deputy leader of Westminster council, Robert Davis, said: "West End Live is a fantastic free showcase for everything the West End has to offer.

"We've got a stellar line up of numbers from some of our greatest shows including Oliver!, Chicago and Dirty Dancing."

West End Live runs from 11am to 6pm tomorrow and from midday to 6pm on Sunday.