Dancer Freddie Huddlestone climbs the side of the Dominion Theatre stage then taps - upside down - across the ceiling and back down the other side of the stage at WEST END HEROES at the Dominion Theatre. The amazing routine, choreographed by Matt Flint, was the highlight of STEP IN TIME, a high-energy tap dance tribute by The West End Heroes Dancers, to Disney's Mary Poppins, which this year is celebrating 50 years since its release. Scroll down for photos from the event!
The sold out crowd went crazy and it was a definite highlight of the event, hosted by Michael Ball. Britain's leading musical theatre star, a double Olivier Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist and a hugely popular radio and TV presenter, also performed songs from Chess, LES MISERABLES and Aspects of Love.
West End Heroes debuted last year and was a phenomenal success, with the casts of many of the biggest West End musicals uniting with the finest UK military bands and musicians in a stunning performance that raised over £88,000 for the Help For Heroes charity. This year's event had set a target to raise more than £100,000.
The newly refurbished Dominion Theatre once again hosted the event, which united the country's top military musicians with even more West End performers and productions in a dazzling showcase of showstopping numbers, unlikely song mash-ups and stunning choreography and precision drilling.
There was a world exclusive preview of the song Some Things you just know, performed by Louise Plowright, from Sleepless in Seatlle, a new film-to-stage musical, due in the West End in 2015.
There were also performances from Britain's Got Talent winners Collabro, Hugh Maynard and the cast of Miss Saigon; the cast of Evita; Wendi Peters from the cast of White Christmas; Marti Pellow, Louise Dearman, Daniel Boys, Lauren Samuels, James Fox, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Woman the Band (Mazz Murray, Gina Murray, Emma Kershaw) and the cast of Songs for Victory, an authentic musical stage show celebrating the glorious songs of the 1930s and 40s made famous by Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields and The Andrews Sisters.
There were also be performances by the newly formed West End Heroes Choir, made up of some of the unsung heroes of the West End - support staff in theatres, front of house, box office, stage crew, and dressers; people who are all trained actors and singers but are resting, and The West End Heroes Dancers.
Returning to form the centerpiece of the gala and under the directorship of Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs will be The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, which is widely regarded as one of the finest military bands in the UK and incorporates the celebrated RAF Squadronaires Big Band. They will be joined by The Band of the Queens Division, The Band of HM Royal Marines and The Queens Colour Squadron.
Photo Credit: Claire Bilyard
Host Michael Ball
Hugh Maynard and the cast of MISS SAIGON sing 'Bui Doi'
Michael Ball leads the cast in the finale 'Do You Hear the People Sing' from LES MISERABLES
Tom Huddlestone and the WEST END HEROES dancers perform 'Step In Time'
Wendi Peters sings 'Let Me Sing' from WHITE CHRISTMAS
WEST END HEROES
Michelle Pentecost and the cast of EVITA sing 'Buenos Airies'
Michelle Pentecost and the cast of EVITA sing 'Buenos Airies'
Tiffany Graves and Flight Lieutenant Matthew Little sing 'Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better' from ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Oliver Tompsett, Tiffany Graves and the WEST END HEROES dancers
The Military Medley number
Freddie Huddleston's amazing tap dance around the Pros Arch of the Dominion Theatre
Freddie Huddleston's amazing tap dance around the Pros Arch of the Dominion Theatre
Freddie Huddleston's amazing tap dance around the Pros Arch of the Dominion Theatre
Freddie Huddleston's amazing tap dance around the Pros Arch of the Dominion Theatre
Freddie Huddleston's amazing tap dance around the Pros Arch of the Dominion Theatre
Freddie Huddleston's amazing tap dance around the Pros Arch of the Dominion Theatre
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