Mayor of London Announces World Premiere of Disney's A Christmas Carol and Launch of the Festive Season in London on Tuesday, 3 November With "London's Christmas Carol"

Mayor of London Announces World Premiere of Disney's A Christmas Carol and Launch of the Festive Season in London on Tuesday, 3 November With "London's Christmas Carol"

LONDON, September 13/PRNewswire/ --

- West End's Most Famous Streets to Join The City of London for the Biggest Co-Ordinated Christmas Lights Switch-On and Celebration the Capital has Ever Seen

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today announces (at 15:00 GMT) that on Tuesday 3, November 2009 London will kick off a massive celebration bringing back the spirit of Christmas that Charles Dickens depicted in the classic A Christmas Carol.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090913/359362 )

Currently in New York City to promote London as a destination for American tourists, Mayor Johnson revealed that the world famous Christmas Lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street will, for the first time in history, not only be switched on simultaneously, but will share the same theme - Disney's A CHRISTMAS CAROL. At the same time, the City of London - the very heart of Dickens' London and the setting for A Christmas Carol, which in 1843 helped re-define the Christmas period as the festive season of goodwill to all and re-popularised Christmas - will join in the celebrations with the West End.

Set against this dazzling backdrop, the World Premiere of Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' will then take place at three of London's leading cinemas in Leicester Square creating the UK's biggest ever 3D screening, where the stars of the film Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn, Bob Hoskins and Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis will come together to greet guests and media from around the world. Tickets will be available for the public to take part in the world premiere which is in support of 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 GBP10 million towards their much-needed redevelopment appeal.

From November 3 until January 5, London will turn back the clock for 'London's Christmas Carol', its largest ever festive celebration which will bring to life the magic of Charles Dickens' enduring classic. The City of London and the West End's most famous streets, Regent Street and Oxford Street will echo to a series of public concerts, events and a world record gathering of carol singers in a joyful celebration of the nation's favourite time of year.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson: "We want to bring to life the magic of Dickens' enduring, much loved classic. With Disney's dazzling lights, plus events in the West End and the City, it's going to be one of the biggest festive celebrations the capital has ever seen. Hosting the world premiere of Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' will kick things off in magnificent style. With the city as its star, fantastic British actors in the cast - and of course Charles Dickens words - where else could it be?

Dick Cook, Chairman, Walt Disney Studios: "In the spirit of Charles Dickens himself, there really can be no better place in the world than London to celebrate A Christmas Carol. We are delighted that 'Disney's A Christmas Carol' will literally light up London with this spectacular holiday event. We are proud to launch the world premiere of Robert Zemeckis' groundbreaking 3D motion picture against the backdrop of these festive illuminations."

Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, Chairman of the New West End Company which represents West End retailers: "Like Dickens' Christmas Carol, London's West End is famous for Christmas. Each year over 40million shoppers spend GBP1bn in London's West End during this key trading period. At the end of a tough year for retail, it is particularly important that the first-ever Christmas celebrations across the centre of London provide a much needed boost to Britain's economy.

"The unveiling in New York of London's Christmas Carol event today, by London Mayor Boris Johnson, reflects the importance of American visitors to London's economy and vibrancy - a market that spends over GBP1.3bn in our capital annually. For millions of people from London, the UK and around the world, a trip to the West End has become part of their Christmas tradition and this year our partnership with 'Disney's A Christmas Carol' will make it truly magical."

David Shaw, Head of Regent Street Portfolio at The Crown Estate: "We love Christmas in Regent Street and are delighted this year to be part of the West End's first ever joint Christmas lights switch-on and to celebrate the launch of the feature film Disney's 'A Christmas Carol'. 55 years ago Regent Street was one of the first shopping destinations in Europe to have large-scale Christmas lights and we're now looking forward to the first London-wide Christmas lights celebration. Regent Street's unrivalled collection of international flagship stores and restaurants makes it the perfect place to welcome visitors from all over the world and for them to enjoy a traditional day's Christmas shopping."

Stuart Fraser, Chairman of the City of London Corporation's Policy and Resources Committee: "We are proud to support this event which - unlike anything before it - brings together partners from across central London in a massive celebration of the capital and Christmas.

"In his book, Dickens celebrates traditional seasonal values - family, friendship, charity and sharing. This partnership is a fitting tribute to "the man who invented Christmas", as organisations from London's private, commercial and public sectors join together to co-ordinate and support a project, the benefits of which will be felt by our residents, workers and visitors; retailers, restaurants, hotels, cultural providers and attractions.

"The City Corporation prides itself on the support it gives to London's visitor offer. This event provides us with the opportunity to showcase to the world the different faces of (specifically) the West End and the City at Christmas, and to promote to visitors the enormous diversity, vibrancy and dynamism of this extraordinary place."

Cllr Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster City Council: "This will be a spectacular event to mark the beginning of the festive season across London. The West End has proven resilient in the face of the recession but this year has still been tough for many businesses and these lights will hopefully attract more shoppers to the area. With more than 120 international and 176 flagship stores, the West End has a fantastic array of shops along with scores of cafes, restaurants, cinemas and 40 theatres making it the perfect place for a visit, especially in the run-up to Christmas."

Sally Chatterjee, Interim CEO Visit London: "Visiting London over the Christmas period can be a magical experience with the Christmas markets, elegant shop windows and incredible attractions; there really is something for everyone. We are delighted that this year the capital will be transformed in celebration of Dickens' classic tale 'A Christmas Carol' and look forward to experiencing the unique festivities."

London's Christmas Carol is a celebration of a traditional Christmas as London turns back the clock and brings to life the spirit of Christmas with events, promotions and activity across the capital. Partners involved in this initiative are, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK, The Mayor's Office, Westminster Council, the New West End Company, The Crown Estate, The City Of London, Visit London and many more. For more information on London's Christmas Carol visit http://www.londonschristmascarol.com.

Tickets to the World Premiere will be on sale from Monday, 14 September at http://www.londonschristmascarol.com

Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, UK in cinemas across the UK November 6, 2009

Certificate: TBC |Running Time: tbc

For further information regarding London's Christmas Carol please contact DDA PR: James Knox: +44(0)7733-017-680 / Bee Jordan: +44(0)7813-808-884, dacc@ddapr.com

For information regarding Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' please contact Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, UK: Charlotte Tudor: 020 8222 2581 / Charlotte.Tudor@disney.com; Natacha Clarke: +44(0)20-8222-2580 / Natacha.Clarke@disney.com

Images are available to download from http://www.image.net

For information, images and interviews about Shopping in the West End including Oxford Street and Regent Street please contact Sister PR: Sarah Millar at Sister on +44(0)781-782-1466 or sarah@sister-pr.com

Monday to Friday: +44(0)20-7287-9601.

http://www.londonschristmascarol.com

Notes to Editors

BORIS JOHNSON

Boris Johnson, who was born in New York, is the Mayor of London. As the executive of the strategic authority for London - the Greater London Authority - his role is to promote economic development and wealth creation, social development, and the improvement of the environment. The Mayor also has a number of other duties in relation to culture and tourism, including responsibility for Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. For further information visit the website: http://www.london.gov.uk. You can also follow the Mayor on http://twitter.com/mayoroflondon; http://www.youtube.com/MayorsOfficeLondon; http://www.facebook.com/borisjohnson During his visit, the Mayor will be updating Londoners with videos that will be available on his YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/mayorsofficelondon and will be writing on his travel blog http://borisjohnsonvisits.blogspot.com/

DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND CHRISTMAS ACROSS LONDON

Dickens classic novel published in 1843 has become the essential Christmas tale, symbolizing and representing all the elements of the festive season with charity, compassion, celebration, families uniting and gift giving. Many people claim that Dickens helped re-popularise the notion of a traditional Christmas season which became very fashionable for the Victorians.

In his story Dickens paints a picture of a snow-covered London preparing for Christmas across the city - also helping to popularise the idea of a White Christmas and making London the home of a traditional Christmas for many.

"In 'A Christmas Carol' Charles Dickens captured the very essence of traditional English Christmas while telling a hugely innovative, fanciful and above all socially responsible tale for the modern age. The story's characters, just like Dickens himself, have become part of our festive season and spread a powerful message of moral and social redemption throughout the world - today as much as it did in 1843 when it was written." Dr Florian Schweizer, Strategic Director of the Charles Dickens Museum, London.

For more information on Charles Dickens and the Dickens Museum please contact: Dr Florian Schweizer: +44(0)20-7405-2127 ext 214

DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE FILM

Disney's 'A Christmas Carol', a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, The Polar Express, Beowulf), captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event. Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it's too late.

Disney's 'A Christmas Carol', based on the classic Dickens' tale, is re-envisioned by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis in a groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Bob Hoskins and Robin Wright Penn.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, interactive media and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company with revenues of nearly $38 billion in its most recent fiscal year.

NEW WEST END COMPANY:

New West End Company is a company dedicated to driving forward London's West End as the world's top shopping destination. It is supported and run by major retailers and property owners in Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street.

New West End Company ensures the ongoing commercial success of the area by promoting the district, delivering street management services, funding public realm projects to improve the shopping environment. It is a leading partner in the biggest regeneration programme of London's West End in its history. Find out more at http://www.newwestend.com.

200 million visitors travel into the West End each year. Of these visitors 25% are from overseas and a further 21% are from outside of London.

Oxford Street was named best destination in the Visit London awards 2007 & 2008.

London's West End is the world's top shopping destination, with a world-class mix of 600 shops, 40 renowned theatres, 30 museums and galleries, 17 Michelin starred restaurants and 7 tranquil green spaces.

For further images and information on Oxford Street and the Oxford Street Christmas Lights contact Laura Ramos at New West End Company, Phone: +44-207-462-0681, Email: laura.ramos@newwestend.com

For New West End Company and London's West End contact Jace Tyrrell Phone: +44-7791-123-513, Email: jace.tyrrell@newwestend.com

REGENT STREET

The world class shopping destination of Regent Street was one of the first purpose built shopping streets in the world and today celebrates 180 years of shopping

Regent Street has undergone a GBP750 million investment plan and has attracted many new flagship brands including; Europe's first Banana Republic store, the world's first National Geographic store as well as Cos, Camper, Ferrari, Hoss Intropia and of course the finest toy shop in the world - Hamleys. New fashion and lifestyle brands soon to open on Regent Street include Anthropologie; the first outside the US along with Gant, Guess and Toywatch. Aqua Hong Kong's renowned restaurant will be opening a roof top venue in Regent Street this autumn.

For further information and images on Regent Street and the Regent Street Christmas lights contact Sarah Millar or Rufus Stone at Sister on +44(0)20-7-287-9601 or email sarah@sister-pr.com or rufus@sister-pr.com

THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION

The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance and business services and provides local services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan Archives; a range of education provision (including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food markets. It is also London's Port Health Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than GBP15m to charity annually. Full details on http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The City Corporation is pleased to be working with the Cheapside Initiative on this event and thanks them for their support.

The Initiative is a unique partnership that brings together the local business community to work as a collective in helping to shape and influence Cheapside to become a premier retail and leisure destination. Full details on http://www.incheapside.co.uk

VISIT LONDON

Visit London is the official visitor organisation for London. A leader in best practice destination marketing, Visit London promotes the UK capital internationally, across Britain and to Londoners targeting leisure and business visitors. Visit London works in partnership with the Mayor of London, the London Development Agency, London Councils and the tourism industry.

For broadcast-standard video of London, please visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/visitlondon. If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. Visit London footage is free for all editorial purposes.

Media enquiries: Visit London Press Office - +44(0)20-7234-5710 / pressoffice@visitlondon.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090913/359362

Source: Walt Disney

Media enquiries: Visit London Press Office - +44(0)20-7234-5710 / pressoffice@visitlondon.com

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Profile: International Entertainment