West End theatres have had their second best year in history despite the credit crunch.

Box office receipts for the past 12 months are only one per cent lower than last year, which was a record year.

Advance bookings stand at £58million, which is double the amount taken this time last year. The fastest selling production was Hamlet, starring Doctor Who star David Tennant, although he has since been hit by a back injury.

Dirty Dancing, Hairspray, Wicked, Mamma Mia! and Jersey Boys were the most popular shows of this year, while the Lion King and Phantom Of The Opera were also popular.

Despite the healthy sales there are fears the West End could be facing the same problems as Broadway where big budget shows including Grease, Hairspray, Young Frankenstein and Spamalot are about to close.

In the West End, Riflemind, and Girl With A Pearl Earring have already closed early. Cameron Mackintosh, whose revival of Oliver! opens next month, has introduced a £50 "crunch buster" family ticket for two adults and two children.

He said: "I would like as many families as possible to enjoy one of my shows.

"The Crunch Buster will give them the opportunity of seeing a show for almost the same price as a cinema ticket."

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