Real-life MMD: Should I cough up to avoid cheap seats at the theatre?

greyfox

Depending on which show you want to see, you may be able to get reduced-price tickets on the day (or up to a couple of days ahead) from the TKTS booth in Leicester Square (http://www.tkts.co.uk/whats-on-sale/). That way you could probably get 2 top-price tickets for the normal cost of one top-price & one cheap seat (or less, if you're lucky!)

notminted_2

If you have some flexibility about which show to see, why not go to the Half Price Ticket Office in Leicester Square on the day you want to go, and buy the top tickets cheaply? That way you could both be happy!

Otherwise I agree: you should pay the extra as it is you who want it.

surfsister

i'd look for cheap tickets on the net and go where we all like the prices - never go out with friends who can't afford to pay the same as you (me very little!) as it never works or causes bad feeling.

one idea might have been to buy the tickets as a xmas gift.

cassidy07

Depends when you want to go. Between now and February 13th there is an event on called 'get into London theatre' where you can get cheap tickets. I booked through the website a few years ago and got 2 top price seats for £35 each. If your lucky the show you want to see will be included in the event.

penarthian

Use Theatre Monkey, the site that discusses the pros and cons of all seats in every London theatre. Do this together and I am sure you will find a recommendation on this comprehensive site that gives a 'good' seat at a more reasonable price than just vaguely opting for an area of theatre.

penarthian

This year I gave theatre tickets as a Christmas gift. I asked my daughter to choose her own, time, date and actual seats. Although I gave her no limit and told her to choose what she wanted she selected excellent seats at a 'reasonable for London' price. If you buy them all as it's indicated you can afford to do this, then give them to him as a birthday/anniversary present. Or
Maybe if you ask your brother to choose the seats and tell him you will pay half he will choose ones at a price he is more comfortable in paying. After all it's the same show where ever you sit.

SandraDJ

I use Whatsonstage.com. I have joined its club outings, but they are always midweek. They are good value though, often with a ticket, a drink and a programme.

What's wrong with the cheaper seats? My daughter earns a good living, but never buys expensive seats as she goes to the theatre regularly.

minerva_windsong

Lastminute.com often do discounted seats to the bigger shows, particularly for matinees (although you do have to factor time off work into that as well). Otherwise, Get Into London Theatre and Theatremonkey as suggested above are good places to look, especially as there are some shows where you may not get the same experience sat in the gods as you would at the front, such as Once. Some theatres may also bump you up a level depending on the show and how busy they are - a friend and I once got bumped up to the mid-range seats at a play at the Haymarket.

But if after all that, you decide you still want the pricier seats, I'd either go for the mid-level ones or offer to pay the difference. If you're really that bothered about your brother paying his way then the other option could be that he pays you back in instalments, but personally I'd find that a bit tight just because you want to sit in a more expensive seat.

tBagpuss_2

It is not reasonable for you to expect your brother to pay more than he is comfortable with so you can sit where you want.

If you are going together, you pick seats which you both feel you can afford, just as if you go out to eat together you pick a restaurant you both feel you can afford.

If you are right and your brother can afford the more expensive seats and is just hoping you'll cough up, then when you agree on the cheaper seats he may change his mind.

Only you can decide how important it is to you to sit in the more expensive seats. It is is of huge importance, then pay the difference (it's you, not him, who wants the extra) If you don't want to pay the exra, then sit in the seats you can both afford.

If you feel neither of those options works, then arrange something else to do with your brother, and go to the show alone, or with friends who are willing to spend the same as you, or wait and take your brother as your gift to him on his birthday.

I go to the theatre a lot, and this has included some pricey shows. When it was me booking the tickets, I always asked in advance what everyone's budget was, and booked on that basis. Yes, it has means that once or twice I've ended up in seats which were not as good as I'd have liked - but I would far rather do that than put one of my friends in a position of spending money they don't have, or spoiling a fun night out together by causing money worries or resentment.

Augustus_the_Strong

Sit in the cheap seats & enjoy the show with your brother. I wouldn't dream of paying 'full whack' for the best seats - just a rip-off. Or if you insist, sit separately & meet for a drink in the interval. And as it seems you've got plenty of spare cash, why not treat him to supper after, and chat about the show.