The nights are drawing in and with the clocks going back this weekend, it’s time to start counting the precious hours of daylight. With night-time starting as early as 3pm at the height of deepest darkest winter, now is the time to be indoors.

Traditionally, we are now moving into the busy part of the theatre season as the cold dark nights set in. People want entertainment that is indoors, when they meet up with friends, or need an escape from the X-Factor, the Xtra factor and the numerous repeats of the show on ITV 2.

Arguments have been made in the past that the West End is too focussed on mass appeal juke box musicals, alienating a more traditionalist theatregoer. It is true that there have been times in the recent past when musicals have occupied most West End theatres, shutting the door on the straight play. However, I detect a change in the air when I look at the productions currently on offer.

The huge surprise for us at Discount Theatre Towers is the interest in Onassis at the Novello Theatre, which stars Robert Lindsay. Taking a look at the top 10 sellers last week on Discount Theatre, Onassis ranks number 4, out of a possible 30 plus West End shows. Not bad for a straight play about a tyrannical Greek tycoon.

The other current show that is doing incredibly well is Yes, Prime Minister which depicts a coalition government that is trying to avoid a financial meltdown by doing deals with questionable world leaders. The subject matter will be very relevant to a lot of people I’m sure.

Opening this week is When We Are Married, a British comedy written by JB Priestley, that brings a farcical treatment to a quaint Yorkshire village. And next week Oscar Wilde’s classic, and literary favourite, An Ideal Husband starts previewing, which stars Alexander Hanson and Samantha Bond.

There’s more great plays to come in the next few months, such as Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit starring Alison Steadman and Ruthie Henshall, and Clybourne Park which received great critical acclaim when it was at the Royal Court. For a full list of West End plays currently on sale click here.

You can also join the popular masses and save over 45% on Onassis at the Novello Theatre: Tickets normally £49.50 are reduced to £25.99 Monday to Thursday. Buy Onassis tickets here.