The Great Hunt: What are your cheap theatre tips?

Former_MSE_Sam_M · 7 March 2016 at 11:51AM

Going to the theatre needn't be pricey but it can be hard to find a bargain if you don't know where to look.

So what are your theatre tips - whether it's free upgrades or finding tickets for a steal?

We'd love to have your feedback, whether it's the West End or Weston-super-Mare.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.

Thanks!

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

greenchicken · 9 March 2016 at 8:41AM

The Globe Theatre in London does lots of tickets for every show for a fiver, for both Shakespeare plays and modern ones. You have to stand up but the atmosphere is great and you can come and go as you please

itsbeenalongday · 9 March 2016 at 10:32AM

Most theatres, including the National, have day tickets options where you can queue up on the day for cheap tickets that day - generally around 10am. You can often phone in advance to find out what time you should be there for, depending on popularity of show. The Old Vic releases PWC £10 preview tickets for each show - this covers 50% of all seats for all previews so join the mailing list to find out when you need to book. Also the Donmar Warehouse releases Barclays £10 front row tickets every Monday at 10am for shows a few weeks ahead. I hate paying "normal" West End prices but love the theatre.

BlaEm · 9 March 2016 at 10:33AM

A very London-centric post but here are my top tips!

Many West End shows do day seats for personal callers at the Box Office - see the list on Theatre Monkey.
For some shows these are front row seats (see the same website for seat reviews by theatre to see if the view is any good). For popular shows you need to get there early - I queued from 7am for Wicked tickets (but I made friends with my fellow bargain hunters and the £25 seats were well worth it!).

The Old Vic also do £10 Preview seats - sign up to get notified when new productions are released.

Sign up for Show Films First and get exclusive invites to shows - usually those that are near the end of their run. They now charge a £1-3 admin fee per ticket, but this is still far cheaper than you'd get them anywhere else.

The TKTS booth in Leicester Square is the best in my experience for good day seats, if you can't make it to the box office in the morning.

For tickets in advance - I've consistently found Amazon Theatre has the best availability and prices, plus they say what your seats are before you buy so you can look at reviews on Theatre Monkey (some other sites will just commit you by price banding)

Signing up for Time Out London's news letter will also frequently provide offers to discounted theatre tickets.

terill · 9 March 2016 at 10:59AM

If you are going to see something as a family, see if another family or group of friends also want to go. Some group rates start at minimum 10 and offer a very generous discount on good seats.
Register with the theatre tokens website http://www.theatretokens.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAsP-2BRCFl4Lb2NTJttEBEiQAmj2tbWG3ce478WeTsvxOig1rpSk8-o_2Nf8doEx2ekXtcl4aAm6r8P8HAQ
Around twice a year they do 10% extra offers. Especially good if a few of you are going to see a show as the extra can pay for a ticket or two

sasy_sfinx · 9 March 2016 at 1:15PM

I've used an app called TodayTix, most of the time the tickets are as standard as any other website but occasionally there's a gem.
They often do "raffles" where you get front row seats for free or <£25 (I've been lucky twice) and they're customer service is excellent. I made a rookie error and accidentally booked tickets for a matinee rather than evening show, saw the same seats were available, phoned up to see if I could change time, they contacted the theatre on my behalf to make the change but also arranged for an upgrade, had fabulous seats that would have cost more than double what I paid! Can't sing their praises enough!

rdone · 9 March 2016 at 1:32PM

We tend to buy the cheapest tickets available direct from the theatre and then go in on the day and ask if there's any upgrades available.

The best we've had is when we went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and had restricted view seats right at the top for £18 each. We went in and asked and were upgraded to the grand circle, front row in the middle (my favourite seats). Looking at the people's tickets next to us they'd paid £120 each.

Doesn't work every time and you have to book directly with the theatre and not through another ticketing site.

elphaba · 9 March 2016 at 4:35PM

Try 'off' West End theatres. Often shows are just as good but tickets only around £20, not to mention the theatre's are normally tiny which makes for a more enjoyable performance imo. Try places like the Landor, Southwark Playhouse & Menier Chocolate Factory.

Also some local theatre's often try out shows before moving into the West End so you may get a chance to see them cheaper. For example, I saw Gypsy with Imelda Staunton at Chichester. Also Chichester is generally a good shout if you can get to an evening show as it's free parking after 6.

Petaldust · 9 March 2016 at 6:46PM

BlaEm wrote: »

A very London-centric post

Why? Talk about ignorant - we have theatres up here in the North too, believe it or not.

tindella · 9 March 2016 at 7:49PM

Petaldust wrote: »

Why? Talk about ignorant - we have theatres up here in the North too, believe it or not.

I think the person was apologising for answering with regard to London - not insinuating that there are no theatres north of Watford! Since you obviously live up north, what tips do you have for cheap tickets?

dory22 · 9 March 2016 at 11:24PM

MSE_Sam_M wrote: »

Going to the theatre needn't be pricey but it can be hard to find a bargain if you don't know where to look.

So what are your theatre tips - whether it's free upgrades or finding tickets for a steal?

We'd love to have your feedback, whether it's the West End or Weston-super-Mare.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.

Thanks!

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

i work in theatre and the over heads for theatre are sky high, something's i can say, if your going to be in london for a couple of days and want to see a show then get a day tickets, these are tickets that theatres have a limited numbers of for that day and you have to be there early ( iv had friends queue for 15 hours over night to get tickets to nigel harmans last guys and dolls) show) but normally if you get there about 7 am and queue they release tickets about 10am the earlier you get there the more likely you will get a tickets. also theatre breaks website is also good, i got stalls tickets plus a hotel room for £69 which was fab.
if you can save some money on ticket fees by buying direct from box office, also if you go a lot to the theatre get a loyalty card you can get some discounts. also if you got a cash back debit/credit card, use that. deals also can help. mid week matinees are normally cheaper and depends on days too in regional anyway.

The Great Hunt: What are your cheap theatre tips?

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