Patti Suttle

I am finally getting to plan some of the little "details" of our trip to Ireland, London and Paris! Several of us love musicals and we have not seen CATS yet. I have not been able to determine through my research if CATS is being offered at the Leicester SQuare ticket booth.
If you happen to know if it is or is not would you let me know? Thank you for your time!
Patti

Patrick

No, Cats is not now, nor to my knowledge has it ever been offered at half price at the official half price booth at Leicester Square. A slight suggestion. Depending on when you are there -- a wonderful revival of the perfect "London" musical MY FAIR LADY is about to open at the National. I can't think of a better show to see in London if you like musicals.
Again, however, it is doubtful that you will be able to get half price tickets for this event until it reopens elsewhere in the West End later in the year (I'm assuming).

Patti Suttle

Patrick-

Thank you for the information-that's what I needed to know AND also thanks for the tip on My Fair Lady!
Patti

mary c

Thanks, Patrick! I, too, was looking for a play or musical in London while I'm there. That's what I love about this forum is the incredibly good information.

Sheila

To Patrick: Any ideas on getting tickets to My Fair Lady? I tried Ticketmaster in UK and they are not listing the dates for June yet and also saying tickets are not available for sale. I looked on the Lyttelton Theatre Site and can't seem to order tickets there either. Do you know if tickets will be availabe for this production? It sounds like a great production to see while in London. I will be there June 6 - 17 and would appreciate your or anyone's help on obtainting tickets.

sheryl

I am going to be in London in two weeks & was wondering if someone knew what was being offered at the 1/2 price booth that is worth seeing. Thanks

Lori

Patrick,
I was told that My Fair Lady was a limited production only, just 3 months I believe, at the Lyttleton Theater. Jonathan Pryce plays Prof. Higgens by the way for those who care. I was not able to get tickets from Ticketmaster for our visit in April and I tried as soon as I found out about it some months back. I gave up on it and got tickets to "The Importance of Being Earnest" starring Patricia Rutledge (star of that wonderful British comedy "Keeping up Appearances") instead. CATS has been playing so long that I can't imagine having a problem getting tickets to it anywhere!

Lori

The Albemarle web site shows My Fair Lady closing June 30th (I was pretty sure it was a limited run). It does not play every day so that is another reason that it is difficult to get tickets.

alex

Patti

For anyone who is interested, the site for "My Fair Lady" at the National is:
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/home.html.

It does actually run every day from 16th March to 30th June but is already fully booked. Day seats are on sale from 10am each day (approx 20-30 seats) - see the Talkback part of the My Fair Lady section. However, even on the first preview there were apparently big queues from 8am for tickets. The critics have not commmented yet but on current ticket sales, the play is bound to transfer to the West End after June, but details of this are not finalised.

Patrick

Thanks for the answers Lori and Alex. You have more information than I do. I'm almost glad that I won't be traveling to London this spring as usual as it would break my heart not to be able to see My Fair Lady. I am currently playing Col. Pickering in a massive community theatre production so it is very close to my heart.
I strongly believe that once it transfers to the West End it will enjoy a fairly lengthy run, but how long Jonathon Pryce signs for remains to be seen. Incidentally this time round Eliza is being played by a true cockney who actually has been undergoing extensive dialect coaching to learn to speak like a lady. Talk about life imitating art!

Gina

I see that "Earnest" was extended to April 14 recently (a 3-week extension from the original close). Does anyone have any bets as to whether it might extend again? My parents *adore* KUA, and I'll be going to London with them sometime this summer (date still pending). I suppose an extension that long is unlikely, but they'd be so thrilled to see Patricia Routledge live in anything...Just wanted to see if anyone might have any inside scoop or predictions (or ideas as to whether she's set to star in something else stagewise that's upcoming).

Patti Suttle

So, does anyone know (or is there a web site?) what is available at the 1/2 price booth at Leicester Square? I promised my husband we'd do that this time instead of getting full-price tickets!
Whatever you can tell us (me and Sheryl) would be appreciated!
Thanks-
Patti

Patrick

They don't even know at the half price booth what will be available the next day, so there is no way to get advance listing. They are allotted seats the actual day of performance by the theatres depending on what is left or released by other booking agents. I've actually been at the window, when they get a call adding a show for that day. They post the available shows outside the booth about an hour before they open. One group of boards is for matinees and the other is for evenings. Make sure you look at the boards and decide before you get in line, or if there are two of you, one stays in line while the other checks the boards. There is always a good selection. For evening shows usually from 15 to 25 shows. Depending on the matinee day anywhere from 6 or 7 to 15 or so shows. You can also pick up a full listing and descriptions of all shows at the booth window before you get in line so you can learn a little more about the shows.
And be aware that the official half price booth takes cash only. Most tickets are the most expensive only (best seats) but sold at exactly half price plus a service charge (I believe it is still 1.5 pounds per ticket). If you are on a real tight budget and don't care how good your seats are, you can often get cheaper seats at the actual theatre, but of course they will not be as good.