Following the success of Broadway Barks in New York, West End star Elaine Paige and Broadway icon Bernadette Peters are teaming up to present the first ever London version of WEST END WOOFS (AND MEOWS).
The charity event helps unite adoptable pets with new owners.
As predicted by WestEndTheatre.com, the New York event is finally coming to London – especially given that the event’s champion Bernadette Peters is currently in town performing in Cameron Mackintosh’s Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre.
The London event will take place on Saturday 18 November 2023 from 10am to 12.30pm at St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden.
Elaine and Bernadette previously teamed up to co-host the first virtual edition of WEST END WOOFS during lockdown in 2020.
The New York institution is an annual star-studded dog and cat adoption event which was founded by Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters. Produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the event benefits New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies and brings more than 200 cute (and adoptable!) dogs and cats to Broadway. Over the 25 years 2,100 dogs and cats have participated, with 85% successfully finding forever homes.
This year’s 25th annual event took place on 8 July 2023 in Shubert Alley on Broadway, hosted by Bernadette Peters and Randy Rainbow, and with special guests Josh Groban (Sweeney Todd). Also in attendance were the casts of Moulin Rouge!, Some Like It Hot, Funny Girl, Kimberly Akimbo, Sweeney Todd, Wicked, Shucked and more.
Actor Elaine Paige said in a statement: “When Bernadette and I first presented West End Woofs online it was such a success! We raised money and awareness for many shelters caring for animals in need of adoption. Here’s hoping this year’s West End Woofs is even more successful for our neediest four-legged friends!”
Actor Bernadette Peters said: “Nothing thrills me more than to be doing West End Woofs ‘live’ for the first time at St. Paul’s Actors Church with my dear friend Elaine Paige and my cast members from ‘Old Friends’. Looking forward to finding many dogs and kitties their forever homes”.
The adoption event on Saturday 18 November will start with a ‘meet and greet’ with all the adoptable pets. Then from 11.30am adoptees make their West End debut on stage alongside some of the West End’s favourite stars, with guests to be announced, including a special performance of ‘Old Friends’ by the company of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.
WEST END WOOFS is free and open to the public. It will feature adoptable pets from the following participating shelters and rescue groups with all proceeds from the event benefitting the great work they do: Helping Dogs and Cats UK; Pro Dogs Direct; Home Run Hounds; Saving Saints Rescue; Noah’s Ark Dog Rescue; German Shepherd Rescue South; and All Dogs Matter.
Book tickets to Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre in London
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