This Week In The West End #WestEndWeek

Posted on 12 February 2014

This week sees the West End return of Ghost Stories which begins previews at the Arts Theatre this Thursday (13th February). The production, which stars Dino Fetscher, Paul Kemp, Paul Kendrick, Chris Levens, Gary Shelford, Mark Starr and Philip Whitchurch, marks Ghost Stories’ first major West End revival since its West End premiere in 2010.

The play is described as a mix of the very best of theatre and the intense buzz of a thrill-ride. This revival has been restaged and reimagined by writers Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, who is best known for his work with Derren Brown on both his television and stage shows. Sean Holmes directs. 

Ghost Stories contains moments of severe shock and tension and is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. Those of a nervous disposition should think seriously before attending.
 
Also this week, West End regular Tim Driesen joins the West End production of Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre. The performer, who currently plays Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys Holland, will play the role in the West End for one week only from Tuesday 11th until Sunday 16th February 2014.
 
Tim was last seen in the West End playing Joey Primo in Rock Of Ages at the Garrick Theatre. He has also played Galileo in We Will Rock You, Adrian Banks/Mark Owen in Never Forget, Mark in Rent and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
 
The new cast of Jersey Boys, who will join the production when it moves to the Piccadilly Theatre from Saturday 15th March, begin rehearsals this week. Producers are yet to reveal who is joining the production and it is unknown whether original West End cast member Ryan Molloy will continue to star as Frankie Valli.
 
Jersey Boys has now been seen by over 19 million people worldwide and is firmly established as one of the West End's longest running and most popular shows. It plays its final performance at the Prince Edward Theatre on Sunday 9th March to make way for the West End revival of Miss Saigon.
 
Dirty Dancing and Strangers On A Train enter their final two weeks at the Piccadilly and Gielgud Theatres. Dirty Dancing’s West End return has proved hugely popular with audiences whilst Strangers On A Train has provided a classy night out for those who like a good thriller. Both productions close on Saturday 22nd February 2014.
 
Finally, later this week John Travolta can be seen in the West End in ‘A Conversation With John Travolta’. The event takes place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Sunday 16th February at 6.00pm. Britain’s top film critic Barry Norman will interview the Hollywood legend live on stage providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
 
Travolta will discuss his career, private insights from his life and answer questions in a special question and answer session with audience members. The event follows the hugely successful ‘An Audience with Sylvester Stallone’ which took place at the London Palladium last month.
 
Andrew Tomlins
Photo Credit: Helen Maybanks