Just back from a week in London after a cruise and am here to report some, I'm afraid, big changes in TKTS in Leicester Square in London. For years, I went there on many a morning to pick up half price theatre tickets. However, this past week there were some unpleasant surprises.
Gone are the boards with the shows listed most of which had a 50% discount (some had lesser discounts and a few were full price) as well as the electronic board that listed the acdtual prices. Instead there was a print out listing the shows available and the prices. And most of them no longer had a 50% discount....some had a 25% discount and even less. Fewer shows, at least it seemed to me, were avalable.
As a matter of fact, the whole Leicester Square asrea left something to be desired. Last time I was in London in February, the whole park there wass closed for renovation (as was so much else of London for the Olympics or at least under construction). The park has reopened at Leicester Square and all around the park is this concrete ledge on the outside serving as a seating area. Gone are the benches inside the park that made this a pleasant place to sit. Also not yet re-opned (I don't know if they're going to be) are the public loos that while not the cleanest in the world were at least usable for somebody in distress or with certain problems caused b y old age.
The whole area just not the same!
TKTS LONDON
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Oh no will have to check that out...there have been many outcries from londoners about the renos!!
I found the majority of shows were indeed 1/2 price. A handful were reduced 25%, and a couple were full price. Went there twice Jubilee weekend. Didn't buy one night (Mon) since there was not much available that I had not seen previously, got 1/2 price tix for 39 steps on Tues.
The board is gone but there was a list posted w/ "1/2 price", "25% off", and "full price" notations.
You might be right in terms of sheer numbers, Janis, and I didn't write there is a sheet of paper listing what is available at the side of the windows. It really just didn't seem the same; I did miss the board and being able to talk with others on the queue as we headed for the windows and looked at the shows listed.
Coupled with the whole scene in Leicester Square which I even hard some Londoners complain about....all this long re-development and this is what we end up with...a concrete "bench" circling the whole periphery of the park just didn't seem right but perhaps I am being unfair.
Bummer. Keep in mind that you can still check out prices for last minute tickets at the box office at the venue itself -- 1/2 hour before showtime ("standby"), as well as student and I think OAP tickets on the cheap.
Finally, timeout.com does some pretty good discounts. see
http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/973/cheap-and-last-minute-theatre-tickets-in-london
Just use the website to find out what is and will be available
http://www.tkts.co.uk/whats-on-sale/
We're hoping to catch Wicked & it looks like TKTS doesn't discount it at all.
Would showing up at the box office the day of the show be our best option if we don't want to order in advance?
Are standby seats usually discounted?
"We're hoping to catch Wicked & it looks like TKTS doesn't discount it at all.
Would showing up at the box office the day of the show be our best option if we don't want to order in advance?
Are standby seats usually discounted?"
Wicked doesn't need to discount tickets. It sells out at full price (and many pay touts over face value). If Wicked is a 'must see' for you, then book through the official website as soon as you know your date(s).
" got 1/2 price tix for 39 steps on Tues." @ janisJ
would you recommend 39 steps? we are looking for something British and not to expensive next Mon or Tues!
39 steps was absolutely hysterical! High theatre it wasn't - but it is wonderfully acted and the staging is really inventive/verging on silly. It was a great night out.
I wanted to see One Man two Guvs but the available seats weren't very good - hopefully I'll see it in the Fall. So 39 steps was sort of a fall back and I'm really glad I saw it.
Greetings from London. there are discount shops near the tkts booth and they have better discounts for some shows. I was all set to pay full price at tkts for Wicked 2 days ago when I saw a shop sign offering tix for 30% off, and I got a really good seat in the stalls. Also managed to get full price ticket for Matilda which wasn't available at the box office that morning. The lady said they NEVER get return tickets, so I assume these discount shops get them. If you have the time, it's worthwhile to walk around a little. and check online too.
I saw One man two guvnors 4 days ago and it was excellent. I got a ticket at tkts and it was a good seat. I was disappointed with Yes Prime Minister. 39 steps I saw 2 years ago and still smile when I walk pass any poster of it, very clever and funny. Going to get ticket for Sweeney Todd tonight, I read good reviews. And Matilda was worth paying full price for.
I was afraid when I saw the constuction on Leicester Square that it wold be changed ANd you've confirmed it! we got cheap tickets for one man 2 guvs at the book office the morning of performance,