CarolineM

We will be in London in late June and are interested in seeing a show. Mostly interested in seeing a musical, but are open to all theater and music. Can anyone recommend a source for a complete list of what will be around when we are there? I've looked at Ticketmaster.uk. Anything else to check?

Palenque

Here are two very reputable ones:


Buy theatre tickets today from tkts. The deals change regularly, so be sure to visit tkts booths to see what is available. Enjoy the theatre and save money ...
www.tkts.co.uk/whats-on-sale/ - Cached - Similar

Show more results from www.tkts.co.uktkts | The Official London Theatre Guide
The Official London Theatre Guide website featuring news and tickets on tkts.
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/

janisj

Unless you must see a specific show, there is no need to book anything ahead. The TKTS booth in Leicester Square has day-of-performance tickets for the majority of shows at deep discounts.

There are also open air theatres at Regents Park and the Globe -- except if you do want to see a show at the Globe you should book as far ahead aspossible.

Palenque

And beware of the several 'Half-Price Theatre Tickets' banners in front of some shops on Leicester Square - treading on the good reputation of the long-standing Half-Price Ticket Booth in a special kiosk on the south side of the square (now called TKTS) - i guess run by the West End theatres themselves - or originally before the apparently sold out to Ticket Master or whoever runs the joint now.

But head to the 'official' TKTS booth IMO instead of the touts around claiming to be the same (and i am not saying those are rip-offs but not the real deal).

awong

We have gotten great deals on tickets, tours, & hotels from LondonTown http://www.londontown.com/tickets/

Last May we got 4 tickets for Billy Elliot and we were blown away by the performance.
The tickets were half price and we collected them from the box office before the performance.

We also saw Hairspray, again with discount tickets from LondonTown.

We used the official ticket booth in Leicester Sq for same day tickets for Caberet (fantastic), Chicago (fabulous), Spamalot (no longer playing), and Blood Brothers (intense).

Tickets for Mamma Mia, Oliver, Dirty Dancing - are best booked in advance.

Love the West End theater!

KK_Cat

Like the poster above I have bought half price tickets in advance from londontown.com website. I have also bought half price tickets on the day from the TKTS booth in the centre of Leicester Square. As poster above has said it is a good idea to keep an eye on their website to see what shows regularly have reduced tickets available as the most popular shows rarely have reduced tickets. You will always find something interesting though.

PatrickLondon

It occurs to me that US readers might be interested to know that a relatively unknown American writer hsd just won an Olivier Award for best West End play last year. It came in from the equivalent of off-off-Broadway (or indeed Manhattan):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010...olivier-awards

Cholmondley_Warner

I bought tickets for the 39 Steps last night from the TCKTS place for £25.50 each (list price £40). It’s a lot of fun but not yer actual culcher.

stokebailey

Thanks for that, Patrick. I hadn't heard of The Mountaintop.

Last spring we got discounted good seats to see 39 Steps -- is too culcha!-- at the Criterion box office, last minute.

Cholmondley_Warner

In America it’s culcha. Here it’s panto. Good panto though. Lovely theatre too.

stokebailey

Perfect place to see 39 Steps.

AGM_Cape_Cod

Thanks CarolineM for asking my question. I will be in London in May for work and convinced the manager to go to the theater one night. Of course since it was my idea I have to make the arrangements. Any suggestions for great shows? TIA

CarolineM

What great information! I was wondering if we would be able to wit until we got there to purchase, and it looks like we can. I will check that website though. High on the list are Lion King or Phantom (my daughters' choices). We are actually seeing Billy Elliot in Chicago a few weeks before our trip. Poor planning on my part, as I would have rather waited to see it in London, but the tickets were purchased before the trip came along. I know there will be no shortage of great choices. May have to see more than one if the price is right.

stokebailey

I'd wait.

avalon

You can also just go to the theaters the day of performances and get cut price tickets there. Paid 25 GBP for Oliver tickets that are usually 45 GBP.

BTW we loved Priscella, Queen of the desert!!

Palenque

And there are usually touts outside theatres always hawking ducats to even the most popular shows - always was leery of the ticket being bogus, etc - anyone have experience using touts, who i assume are legit because they are always around.

mes2525

Check Time Out Magazine or a website like officiallondontheatre.co.uk to see what's playing before your trip. I like looking at the website to see the dates of plays and building a trip around it. If a show is really popular I try to get my tickets in advance but going to the theaters directly is a good way too. Haven't used the TicketsBooth in London.