Moomer11

I was very interested in going to the David Bowie Exhibit at the Victorian and Albert Museum in London this summer during my visit the 3rd week in June. On the V and A website it said the tickets are all sold out, but they may have some to sell each day. Does anyone have any experience with this yet ? To possibly get one of those tickets, what might it entail ? I am having a hard time understanding what the actual hours are for the exhibit- it looks very limited unless there is a special program associated with the exhibit offered only certain times ? Just wonder what the word is on this--any information would be greatly appreciated !
Thanks !

gertie3751

I have always just turned up and managed to get tickets on the day for these special exhibitions even though they say they are sold out. You might have to wait an hour or so and have a coffee or lunch, but usually you will get a ticket. Often the late night slots are more available. That's what I'm going to do for the David Bowie exhibition when I get to London in May.

Moomer11

Thanks for your reply. Where do you go to check -in or get in line ? Best to go when the museum opens -that would be my plan... (The hours for the exhibit were difficult to understand from the web site) Should I head for the exhibit itself or another location ? I have only been there once and came via underground...I am glad to hear that you feel optimistic about getting a ticket ! Thanks !

janisj

IME there are are "special' exhibitions, and then there are 'Whiz Bang Wow! exhibitions' . . . and the Bowie is one of the latter. It is totally sold out for on-line purchase. As the website says a few tix may be released each morning at opening time. You can be sure that there will be a queue most mornings so plan on being there before opening time to have a chance.

>>I am having a hard time understanding what the actual hours are for the exhibit- <<

Is that because it says "Timed tickets"? That doesn't mean the times for the exhibition are limited or they vary. It means tickets are issued for a specific entry time. The museum (and exhibition) opens at 10AM - but tickets let you in at a specific time. So say you queue at 10:00AM and are successful getting a ticket that day, it may be for 2:00PM or 3:30 - or 10:30AM - and you can't go in until the time on your ticket.

flanneruk

The last time this happened was the Leonardo exhibition in November 2011. Queues began to form for daily releases at least 2 (and often 4) hours before the daily releases.

No comments made three months beforehand had much validity. You can't buy online, and scalped tickets are likely to be pricey and unreliable. Interest may wane (The Bowie's on a lot longer - and Leonardo made pictures and statues designed to be looked at: Bowie's job is to sings and posture, and the chance to gawp at a few frocks made by people he bonked once doesn't quite compare with paintings unlikely ever to come here again), so who knows how long the queues will be in June?

But during the Leonardo queue, websites gave an indication of how long the queue was, and how late you could arrive with some possibility of getting a ticket. It's also possible, if interest grows, a "rent a queuer" site might take off (with under-18 minimum wage at £3.68 an hour, the premium might be trivial for many).

Check on the status from mid-May.

sfmurphys

I noticed that one can still purchase a combo ticket (for £31) that includes another attraction, like the British Music Experience, through LoveTheatre. The ticket is not timed, but is an entry voucher that needs to be presented to V&A. The website says "No pre-booking is required for the exhibition. You will be allocated the next available timed entry upon presentation of your ticket/voucher, and some queueing time should be expected." Anyone have experience with this type of ticket?

janisj

I haven't done that but >>You will be allocated the next available timed entry upon presentation of your ticket/voucher, and some queueing time should be expected."<< could mean you have a very long wait. The 'some queueing' may be a major understatement

Moomer11

All of our comments are very helpful...just another more specific question..where do the queues actually form ? I know a great deal of time can be lost, just looking for a queue. Also the combo ticket mentioned above, can be purchased on the same V & A website or another site ?
Thanks again !

RM67

Queues for tickets are at the entrance/reception part of the building. You then take your ticket off to another part of the building to actually visit the exhibition at the stipulated time. There are unlikely to be huge queues there - you just go in once the time slot arrives.

Another (admittedly drastic for an occasional tourist)way to get a ticket is to become a friend of the V&A as that automatically gives you entrance to any exhibitions. I can't remember how much it costs now thought - was about £40 six or seven years ago when I was a member... £60+ now?

Having said all that, I can still see tickets available for July and August online, so not sure where the idea has come from that this is completely sold out (I know that's not much use to you in June, OP).

sfmurphys

The combo ticket is purchased through the ticketing site you are directed to from the museum website:
http://www.lovetheatre.com/lovetheat...ie-is-Packages

I will be there at the beginning of June and wondering if I would have to take the voucher and stand in the long line of those who wish to purchase same-day tickets or if there will be another place to redeem the voucher.

I may just take the plunge and purchase a membership to avoid hours of queuing. I love the V&A, so I don't mind supporting them anyway.

flanneruk

"become a friend of the V&A as that automatically gives you entrance to any exhibitions"

I've let my V&A membership lapse - but is this true?

Some museums let Friends into special exhibitions if they just flash their membership card: others (like the Tate and the British Library) now want Friends to book like everyone else, but not pay. Certainly at the Tate, if they're sold out, they're sold out for Friends as well. Some of my Friendships have tightened up this policy lately: others have loosened it to sell memberships, but my suspicion is that they're all tending to limit Friends entrance at sell-out exhibitions to those who've prebooked.

My suspicions may be ill-founded: but I'd check before splashing out the £62.

sfmurphys

According to V&A website: Members get free, unlimited, priority entry to all V&A exhibitions with up to four family children.

Also, on the event ticketing website it says members do not need to pre-book tickets.

I just emailed the museum to ask how the timed entry works for members. Flanneruk, as a member, maybe you have some experience with this?

sfmurphys

I've just gotten an auto-reply from the museum with answers to some FAQ:
Answers to some FAQs

Do I need to book tickets?
Members do not need to book tickets for any exhibitions, including David Bowie is. However, as there is a compulsory headset for this exhibition, Members are required to queue for this. Please come along at any time and join the queue to collect a headset - waiting times are currently averaging 15 minutes. Please note the headset is not an audio guide but part of the exhibition. You may supply your own headphones should you wish.

Are Members guaranteed entry into the David Bowie is exhibition?
The answer to this question is yes, however, we would recommend that Members do not visit the exhibition during the last two weeks. The exhibition run has in fact been extended by two weeks to accommodate the demand for tickets. We anticipate the exhibition will be even busier during these extra two weeks.