UNITED KINGDOM: OLYMPICS - Cast members from West End shows gather in Trafalgar Square to mark 100 days to go until start of the London 2012 Olympic Games

Record ID: 330654

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: OLYMPICS - Cast members from West End shows gather in Trafalgar Square to mark 100 days to go until start of the London 2012 Olympic Games
  • Date: 18th April 2012
  • Summary: CAST MEMBERS CHEERING AND SHOUTING OLYMPICS
  • Embargoed: 3rd May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9S3T76YTD5QKQWWLVXZXMYJ4I
  • Story Text: To mark 100 days to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games cast members from West End shows gathered in Trafalgar Square in London on Wednesday (April 18).
    Performers from productions including Phantom of the Opera, Chicago and Shrek the Musical took part in a dance warm-up event to welcome the world to London.
    The 'West End Warm Up' was organised by the Society of London theatre.
    Guests included film and theatre producer Stephen Daldry, who is also executive producer for the opening and closing ceremonies, he explained what makes theatre in London so special:
    "You know it has been the theatre capital of the world for however many decades, it is an extraordinary time, it has been an extraordinary time, we do have the world renowned - whether it is The National, The Royal Court or The Royal Shakespeare Company it is an extraordinary diversity of theatre in London and it is one of the most popular reasons why people come here in the first place we just want to make sure on this Olympic year that people know they should come we want them to come and we've got great deals for them."
    Former Olympic champion Robin Cousins was also on hand to support the event. The Dancing On Ice judge is to join the cast of West End musical Chicago. He will make his debut in July, playing lawyer Billy Flynn, the role Richard Gere took on in the Hollywood version of Chicago.
    Cousins, who won gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics, has previously had stage roles in Cats, The Rocky Horror Show and Grease, but admitted he is nervous about his new role: "Of course (I am) nervous, but excited, it's the same with anybody you want to give the performance of your life whether it is on that running track or for me on the stage and I want to make sure I get those butterflies in the stomach that tell you you can have a good day."
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