London Theater
 

During my upcoming stay in London, I hope to take in some theatre of course. I have bookedd tickets to Antony and Cleopatra at the Globe one night, but on another I would like to try my luck at purchasing a half price ticket at the booth in Leicester Square. Has anyone done this lately, and can let me know what might be worth seeing that would be available from that source? Thanks

Rebecca, I'm a big fan of the Leicester Square ticket booth. The key to finding the most availability for the most shows, I think, is to go during the week. On the weekends, more Londoners go to the theater and hence you'll find more of the popular shows sold out. <BR> <BR>During the week last fall, I was able to get fourth-row seats for "Rent" for 18 pounds (under $30 US). But when I went on a Saturday afternoon, I couldn't find much that interested me. <BR> <BR>There should be a wide range of shows available at the ticket booth. I've never seen them have Miss Saigon, but I don't know if that's just been my experience or if the Drury Lane doesn't sell tickets through them. Usually straight plays are easier to find tickets for than the most popular musicals, but again, during midweek you may well be lucky. Get there right when it opens, which is I believe 12:30 for matinees and 2:30 for evening performances. Be sure to have *cash*--you cannot pay by check or credit card. <BR> <BR>And be sure you've got the *real* Leicester Square booth--it's a large, permanent structure, a freestanding kiosk at the edge of the square, near a very nice upscale hotel (can't remember the name), with several boards along the area where the queue lines up listing available shows. Don't buy from the ticket touts who stand around hawking their wares; you're likely to wind up behind a pole. <BR> <BR>Finally, for a good review of what's on in London right now, check out the Albemarle site: http://www.albemarle-london.com/news.html. <BR> <BR>Good luck and have a great time!

Timely posting for my trip in September! Question: how do I purchase tickets ahead of time if I do not want to chance not getting anything through the Leicester Square half-price booth? Do I order from a NY broker? <BR> <BR>I will only be in London on the weekend and hoped that if I took in a Sunday evening show I might have better luck? <BR> <BR>Any thoughts on this from any of you out there? Thanks.

Hi Rebecca, If you want to see a truly funny show try "The Entire Works of Shakespear - Abridged" by the Reduced Shakespear Company. I don't know if tickets for this show are sold at Leicester Square but regardless it's a great show and worth seeing. We saw it earlier this year and I laughed so hard I cried. <BR> <BR>Good luck and have a great trip.

To: Lu B <BR>You might try this agency in New York: <BR>Keith Prowse (800-669-8687). A friend got tickets for the Abbey Theater in Dublin from them and was satisfied. I know they handle London theater. <BR>I have no idea what they charge, but they are a reliable agency, and as I said, my friend was satisfied.

Lu B-you might give Ticketmaster a try. You can book on the web and pick up at the box office in London at www.ticketmaster.co.uk. I think the fees will be less although if its a popular show you still may have to go through a ticket broker.

We used www.theatredirect.com --but ordered over the phone--when we went to London this summer. They have listings of the theatres, what's playing and a lay out of the theatre so you can tell where your seats are. We obtained good seats(stalls and dress circle)for Miss Saigon and Phantom, though I believe there was a hefty service charge (total ticket price was $75); however it was much less than what American Airlines was going to charge ($90)as part of our air/hotel package, and we wouldn't know where our seats were until we landed in London. We wanted to have our tickets in hand and not spend time trying to obtain them once we arrived. But postings on this forum indicate that it is fairly easy to purchase tickets from the theatre box office once you are in London.

You may want to catch Cate Blanchett in "Plenty" at (I think) the Albery if its still going when you get there. Probably won't get half-price tickets, but she was incredible. Also enjoyed "Art."

Rebecca & LuB who asked a similar question, <BR>We've ordered via Edwards & Edwards (they have an office in NY & 800 Number) five or six times and had very good luck and very good seats (front row or close to front) but they do add on a service charge. We got tickets to "Chicago" in London through them in April and had 3rd row seats. I've also called the Lyceum Theater directly (calling early in the a.m. from here) and recently got front row center seats to The Lion King for next spring, on a Friday night! The phone call was a bit less than $5 and we had the tickets in hand in about 8 days later. I think from now on I will just call the theater directly, it works out cheaper even with the phone call! We did not have much luck with Leicester Sq. ticket booth, the one time we bought tickets there - not very good seats. Frankly I think a lot of it depends on what you want to see and when. Many of the long running shows have seats avail. via the box office most of the time we noticed, just walk up and ask.

New question: What musical do you all recommend in London? I have never seen Cats and have heard that the London production is one to be seen. Are the theaters in London small and intimate as in New York City? Thanks!

I was in London last week and had a great experience with a half price ticket booth in Leicester square (I just found out from reading the poster above that it was not "the" Leicester square booth). The booth I went to was not free standing, it was right next door to the Hippodrome, and had a variety of plays and musicals available for half price. I went on a Tuesday and got great seats to Grease for 18pounds. They had seating charts of the theater, so we could see what we were getting, and they took credit cards, which was convenient for me. Grease was a really fun show, we enjoyed it very much.

Lots of helpful ideas in this thread. Question: I am only in London Friday night until Monday morning. Surprised to see theatres dark in London on Sunday. So....I have such a short time in London and I do not know if I want to make a commitment to a show/play before I get to London. (Meeting a friend from Europe). <BR> <BR>What do you "experts" out there, think my odds are of getting a couple of half price tickets on a Saturday? I can be very flexible as to what show/play I will see. Thoughts from anyone, please. <BR> <BR>Thank you!

I purchased a ticket to "Mousetrap" from http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/. I was able to check availability as well as view seating charts. I had the tickets sent to me here in the US, and it took less than two weeks. I too, though, will venture to the 1/2 price deals once in London. Thanks for the post and to all who responded. What a great help! <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>Denise

Lu, if you're flexible you'll definitely be able to get something, even on a Saturday. You might want to use a site like Albemarle's (http://www.albemarle-london.com/) or the Society of London Theatre's page (http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/) to put together a list of stuff that interests you; that way you won't be flying blind when you get to London. <BR> <BR>Double-check exactly when the Leicester Square booth opens for evening performances on Sat. (I'm pretty sure it's 2:30, but don't rely on me!), and then get there a bit earlier for a spot at the front of the line. Then, with your list of stuff you'd be interested in seeing in mind, check out the boards and see what they have. You should still find some good half-price options, although probably more limited than during the week. <BR>

One additional thing I forgot: Royal Shakespeare Company shows do not sell tickets at the Leicester Square booth (or at any of the other ticket tout-type stands in and around the West End, AFAIK); I don't think either the Royal National Theatre or the Globe do either, although I wouldn't stake my life on that.

One last note and then I'll shut up for the evening. Just took a stroll through the Society of London Theatres' site (:: sniffle :: I wanna go back to London!!) and found that Peter O'Toole is starring at the Old Vic in Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell until Sept. 27. Now *that* would be something to see, if tickets are still available. Those of you who'll be in London in September, you might want to think about that one. (While I chew on my knuckles with envy.)

Close call, Gina. Good thing you did not stake your life re your claim about what theatres do NOT make their tickets available at the half price booth, because I have bought National Theatre tickets there. Hope you get back to London soon - 8 weeks to go for me.

I have generally had quite ;good ;luck on showing up at the box office of individual theaters the day of the concert, when ;they open and ;generally have more often ;than not, been able to get tickets for the same evening, (as some extras are often returned) and if you are a senior, you can get even a better deal. Also, since there is not much if any theatre on Sunday night, however ;there are concerts at the Royal Festival ;Hall on ;the south side of ;the Thames and so very worth ;while if you like really good music. Have fun. <BR>

If you want to see "Les Miserables", you can order the tickets directly. Try www.lesmis.com or call 800 334-8457. When you reach the NY site they have a place to buy the tickets for London. We will be there the weekend of 22 - 24 Oct and wish to see it there. I just ordered tickets for "Annie Get Your Gun", through ticket master. Hope you enjoy!

Try www.lastminute.co.uk and click on 'entertainments' for cheaper tickets for shows, including musicals and comedy clubs. This site also does discounted hotels and transport. <BR> <BR>