This Week in the West End

Friday 22nd July 2011 by Will Langdale

A quick pick of what’s hot in the TicketTree.com office

Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae Brown (via See)

A haunting beauty

This week’s most talked-about thing in the office has to be the opening of Ghost the Musical on Monday. Replacing Grease at the Picadilly theatre, and probably the show best-placed to pick up those mourning the loss of Dirty Dancing, Ghost tells the story of the murdered Sam, who as a ghost must protect his endangered girlfriend Molly. With the help of Oda Mae Brown, a fake medium, he can communicate from beyond the grave, and must try to save Molly from meeting the same fate as him.

It’s hard not to compare Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Both are based on late-80s/early-90s romance films, with Dirty Dancing from 1987 and Ghost from 1990. Both starred Patrick Swayze in a leading role (before he was crowned “sexiest man alive” in 1991 – yep!), and perhaps most importantly, both featured iconic scenes with iconic music. Dirty Dancing had that lift, to 'The Time of My Life', sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, and Ghost had that potter’s wheel scene with The Righteous Brothers’ 'Unchained Melody'.

Of the two, Dirty Dancing may have stood the test of time, but Ghost the Musical looks like it’s coming out ahead on first night reviews. Critics were most impressed by Sharon D Clarke’s gospel psychic Oda Mae. Even with the difficult job of following in the footsteps of an award-winning performance by Whoopie Goldberg, The Guardian’s Michael Billington praised her performance, writing “Sharon D Clarke has an overwhelming personality and a richly expressive voice”. Also garnering praise is the work of illusionist Paul Kieve, with The Times’ Dominic Maxwell writing that “the best single argument for putting this film on the stage is Paul Kieve’s special effects”.

Ghost the Musical looks like it’s going to be a fantastic night at the theatre, and we’re definitely looking forward to seeing it soon!

In’t pit, on’t canvas

Having gone from Newcastle to London to Broadway and back, The Pitmen Painters, which premiered in 2008 in Newcastle’s Live Theatre, finally returns to London later this year at the Duchess Theatre. It previously spent time in the National Theatre three years ago, and has just finished a national tour.

The plot follows a group of miners in 1934 who begin painting after taking an art appreciation class. Soon they’re working with some of the most avant-garde artists of their time, all while continuing to work in the pit. What follows is a play about the nature of art, of socialism, of imagination and of class. It’s written by Lee Hall, who wrote the screenplay for Billy Elliot and has recently been in the news for his clash with Opera North and a local school over his latest project, Beached.

Universally lauded when it was first staged, we absolutely cannot wait for The Pitmen Painters to make its way back to London in October!

Deal of the week

To celebrate the opening of Ghost the Musical, we’re offering blog readers 5% off with the voucher code GHOSTJULY5! This voucher will be valid for the rest of the month, so you have an extra couple of days to get your booking in. Just stick the voucher code in when you’re checking out.

Previous entries

Olivier Award Winners - 2017

Monday 10th April 2017
Olivier Award Winners - 2017

TicketTree.com wins big at the STAR and SOBOM Annual Awards

Friday 11th March 2016
TicketTree.com brings home a prestigious customer service award

15 top tips to compare theatre tickets

Saturday 20th February 2016
We teach you how to compare theatre tickets!

New Year, New Shows

Saturday 9th January 2016
We take a look at three new shows we can't wait to see

The Snowman family theatre breaks

Wednesday 1st July 2015
Book your Christmas family theatre break early to take advantage of this amazing deal.
Book with confidence
Established 2002
Award winning customer service
5 Star Reviews
Flexible payment

If you are booking a break more than six weeks in advance you can choose to pay just 50% of your package price at the time of purchase and settle the remaining balance a month before you travel.

Discounted rail

Add rail to your package and save up to 50% on 'pay on the day' prices. We offer great value, flexible travel options to make your trip hassle free!

© 2025 TicketTree.com Ltd

TicketTree.com Limited Registration in England No. 4612186 and VAT No. GB 808 6621 20. Registered Office, 8 Posterngate, Hull, HU1 2JN

Privacy & Cookie Policy

Facebook