MUSIC ACTS CONFIRMED FOR LONDON’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL LIGHT SWITCH ON
On Tuesday November 3 London will be brought to life with three sensational free concerts in The City, Regent Street and Oxford Circus, before the World Premiere of Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, in association with Morrisons, in Leicester Square.
Today the line up was announced of performers helping the stars of Disney’s‘A Christmas Carol’ light up London as part of London’s biggest ever coordinated Christmas lights switch on and celebration, London’s Christmas Carol.
At Oxford Circus, where they will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Christmas lights, girl group The Saturdays, and the UK number one artist Taio Cruz will entertain the crowds before Jim Carrey turns on the dazzling lights. Completing the line up will be the stars of the hit West End musical Sister Act which opened at the London Palladium in June 2009.
London indie pop rock band The Noisettes and MTV Europe Award nominee Daniel Merriweather will perform at Regent Street before joining Colin Firth to push the button to light up the skies. Also performing will be the winner of the BBC television series I’d Do Anything, Jodie Prenger currently starring in the hit musical Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and the London Community Gospel Choir.
Meanwhile at St Paul’s Cathedral, legendary ‘80s icons Spandau Ballet and pop’s most exciting sensation, Little Boots will headline the festivities before joining Bob Hoskins on stage for a spectacular light show. Performances from, Britain’s Got Talent star Faryl Smith, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and the cast of top West End musical Hairspray add to the line up in the City. Further acts will be announced shortly.
London’s favourite radio station playing More Music Variety, Heart 106.2, is proudly supporting London’s Christmas Carol and has secured an outstanding line up to perform on the Oxford Circus, Regent Street and St Paul’s Cathedral stages, introduced by Heart ‘s star presenters. In Oxford Circus Heart Breakfast’s Harriet Scott will be counting down to Christmas with Heart’s Sunday evening presenter Jason Donovan while Toby Anstis will be live on stage in Regent Street. Elsewhere, at St Paul’s, the entertainment will be hosted by Heart Drivetime’s Neil Bentley and Nicola Bonn.
Heart Breakfast’s Harriet Scott said, “Everyone at Heart is really excited to be part of London’s biggest Christmas lights switch on. We’re thrilled to secure some of the biggest music acts to perform on the night. It’s going to be an amazing night, so come and join us as we countdown to Christmas!”
Once the switches have been flicked, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir will join the crowds across the capital in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest ever Christmas Carol sing-along. You can still choose the carol to be sung on the night by logging on and voting at www.londonschristmascarol.com Nobody need miss any of the excitement on the night as the event will be broadcast on big screens across the capital to the other locations, as well as to Leicester Square where following the dazzling festivities, the World Premiere of Disney’s A Christmas Carol will take place at three of London’s leading cinemas. Stars of the film Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins and Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis will walk the red carpet. With an additional 10 regional premieres taking place at the same time across the country, the Official Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous 3D Film Premiere will be set.
Tickets for the premiere are now on sale at www.londonschristmascarol.com supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. A donation will be made to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (Registered Charity no. 235825) as part of Disney’s partnership with the hospital, to help towards an ongoing Disney campaign to raise an invaluable £10 million towards their much-needed redevelopment appeal.
London’s Christmas Carol is a celebration of a traditional Christmas as London turns back the clock and brings to life the seasonal spirit with events, promotions and activity across the capital. Partners involved in this initiative are The Walt Disney Company UK, The Mayor’s Office, Westminster City Council, the New West End Company, The Crown Estate, The City of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Visit London, the Cheapside Initiative and many more.
Line ups
Oxford Circus – hosted by Harriet Scott & Jason Donovan
The Saturdays
Taio Cruz
The cast of Sister Act
With Jim Carrey flicking the switch
Regent Street – hosted by Toby Anstis
The Noisettes
Daniel Merriweather
Jodie Prenger from the musical Oliver!
London Community Gospel Choir
With Colin Firth flicking the switch
St Paul’s Cathedral – hosted by Neil Bentley & Nicole Bonn
Spandau Ballet
Little Boots
Faryl Smith
St Paul’s Cathedral Choir
The cast of Hairspray
With Bob Hoskins flicking the switch
Further acts to be announced shortly
Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK
in cinemas across the UK November 6, 2009
Certificate: PG | Running Time: 96mins