Following the WEK performance at West End Live 2009, here is a “behind-the-scenes” look at WEKs biggest performance event of the year.

11am: Billy No-Mates

Martin, Emma, Julie and Mike arrive at Leicester Square far too early – no doubt brought on by terrifying fear of a train being delayed and being late for the performance! Coffee is consumed. Martin does his usual trick of pacing around for a long time.

11.30am: Promotional Team swing into action

The WEK promotional team swing into action handing out fliers to the queues waiting to get in. We estimated somewhere in the region of 2-3 thousand people now queuing to get in. We make sure we keep a few fliers back for after the performance, as we are always approached and asked for further information about WEK. More coffee is consumed following a late finish at Dreamflight the previous evening. Martin is still pacing.

12pm: WEK’S arrive

The WEK’s make their way to the dressing rooms at the Odeon Leicester Square. The West End cast of “Stomp” have opened the show with around 3-4 thousand people rammed into the space where the main stage is located. Having had their hair and make-up done prior to arrival, all that remains for the WEKs is a quick change, warm ups and some general pre-performance notes from Martin and Emma.

12.10pm: Warm Ups:

With no piano, Martin improvises on the vocal warm up with a few minutes of “Bubble” and other various vocal exercises. Martin and Emma provide some last minute notes prior to going on stage. Everyone is excited and nervous as you would expect. There is a buzz about the dressing room. Lauren is applying gaffer tape to her character shoes! WEKs are touching up their makeup. Martin returns to pacing!

12.25pm: WEK’s leave for main stage:

The WEK’s make the short trip across Leicester Square to the main stage where they will give their biggest performance of the year. Martin wishes them all the very best of luck and heads for the orchestra pit area. Julie and Emma oversee proceedings prior to going on stage.

12.30pm: Great turn out

Upon arriving in the orchestra pit, Martin estimates between 5-6 thousand people ready to watch the performance. He stops pacing and moves onto nails.

12.35pm: WEST END KIDS PERFORMANCE

The WEKs grace the stage after a touching introduction by Christopher Biggins who remembers us from last year. He introduces us warmly and the WEK’s take their starting positions for the Broadway Medley to rapturous applause from the West End Live faithful.

Hannah El-Ayadi (who is suffering from tonsillitis) manages to give the best performance of her life in Run Freedom Run, a relief to everyone as singing with a throat infection is far from ideal and can only add to intense nerves.

12.40pm: JERSEY BOYS “AMAZED”

The West End cast of Jersey Boys arrive back stage, and we hear reports that they are speechless as they listen to the WEK’s sing. They leave the backstage area to watch it on the big screen. Reports are that they are amazed that such” young performers can produce a performance of such outstanding quality” . Jersey Boys are enjoying the WEK set!

12.41pm: WEK PERFORMANCE CONTINUES

The WEK performance is going perfectly, no technical hiccups, the kids are revelling up on the main stage and the audience are lively, responsive, singing and clapping along and are clearly really enjoying it. We have great support from WEK: Training in the audience, the paparazzi down in the orchestra pit are still snapping pictures.

12.45pm: WEK performance ends

WEK receive deafening applause after their performance of a Broadway Medley and Seussical Medley stun the audience. As is usually the case, few expect such a high standard of performance and professionalism from any Company with the name “Kids” in it. The WEK’s leave the stage having thoroughly enjoyed the performance to a rammed Leicester Square.

12.50pm: WEK’s return to dressing room

The WEK’s return to their dressing rooms, naturally on a high after such an impressive performance. Martin considers the performance to have been the best at West End Live so far (07, 08 and 09).

1pm: WEK’s leave / Watch the show

WEK’s leave the dressing room area and are frequently stopped by members of the public recognizing the t-shirts or trademark pink. The public are congratulating them on their performance – all WEK’s and WEK staff are delighted with how the event went. Couldn’t have been any better

Tags | 09, 2009, leicester square, london, west end kids, west end live