West End Bares is an initiative created by legendary Broadway and West End choreographer/director Jerry Mitchell, to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids charities.  The sold out event called ‘Excalibare’ combined the naughtiness of burlesque and the razzle-dazzle of the West End, featuring some of Theatreland’s hottest performers.

Graham Norton once again fronted the show. He was joined by West End star co-hosts, Samantha Bond, Ramin Karimloo, Helen Lederer, Gina Beck and Ben Freeman. This year’s show also featured performances by double Olivier award-winner David Bedella singing the opening number and the incredible Nancy Sullivan singing the closing number – a remake of the Lady Gaga hit Marry the Knight. Cedric Neal, Lucy St Louis, Obiama Ugoala and West End leading lady Summer Strallen also joined the main cast. The full company features over 100 of the hottest and most exciting performers from the West End and beyond, including cast members from Aladdin, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dreamgirls, Funny Girl, Kinky Boots, Mary Poppins, Motown and Wicked.

The numbers this year were choreographed by Tara Wilkinson (Associate Director Motown), Joanna Goodwin (Associate Choreographer on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Racky Plews (Director on American Idiot), Mitch Leow (currently performing in Aladdin), Stuart Rogers (previously appeared in The Bodyguard, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins), Sean Parkins (currently in Dream Girls), Ashley Nottingham (Choreographer on End of the Rainbow), Aaron Renfree (Choreographer and Dancer who has worked with The Saturdays and on X Factor), Freddie Hiddlestone (Associate Director on Sideshow) and new comers Ashley-Jordan Packer and Fletcher Dobinson.

Bigger and barer than ever before, the hottest night out at the theatre, EXCALIBARE promised to be a Knight like no other, with the cast of EXCALIBARE bringing the medieval tales to life like never seen before!

The show was on 25th September at the prestigious Novello Theatre.