Thousands of theatre fans descended on Trafalgar Square this weekend as West End Live 2026 returned, bringing together the casts of London's biggest musicals for one of the industry's most celebrated annual events.
Across two days of performances, Emil Dale Academy graduates took to the stage representing some of the West End's most recognisable productions, with alumni performing leading and featured roles in front of thousands.
Leesa Tulley represented the West End production of SIX, performing as Katherine Howard, while Taila Halford appeared as Emily with The Devil Wears Prada. Regan-Bailey Walker took to the stage with The Book of Mormon as Nabulungi, and Benjamin Dawson performed as Pepper with the West End company of Mamma Mia!
One of the weekend's standout moments came from Geraldine Sacdalan, who performed with the UK Tour of Heathers as Veronica Sawyer, just hours after being announced as the production's new leading lady. Alfie French also brought Shantify to the Trafalgar Square stage following the production's success in both the West End and at the Edinburgh Fringe and Joseph Peacock took to the stage with the cast of Little Shop of Horrors ahead of their run later this year.
Their performances formed part of a much wider Emil Dale Academy presence throughout the West End Live programme.
Productions featured across the weekend that currently include, or have recently featured, Emil Dale Academy graduates include Hamilton, Cabaret, Les Misérables, Oliver!, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Operation Mincemeat, Matilda the Musical, Jersey Boys, The Choir of Man, High Society, Redcliffe, The Jonathan Larson Project, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical and Bliss.
Adding to that growing list is Ella McLaughlin, who graduated from Emil Dale Academy this summer and has recently been cast as Perfect Princess in Bliss The Musical, continuing the Academy's tradition of graduates stepping directly from training into professional productions.
While every graduate has forged their own individual path, together they reflect the breadth of Emil Dale Academy's presence across today's musical theatre industry. From long-running West End productions and major UK tours to brand-new musicals and original theatre, alumni continue to establish themselves across every level of the profession.
West End Live offers audiences a unique snapshot of musical theatre at one moment in time. This year's event also provided a snapshot of something else: the growing impact of Emil Dale Academy graduates, not just watching from the crowd, but representing many of the productions that define British musical theatre today.
