reddy2go2

Looking to have a great and mid-priced theatre experience in London. Two teenage boys, hubby and I. Talk of a diverse crowd. Any suggestions welcome. From Mousetrap to
We Will Rock You --- the options seem overwhelming. Looking to spend 30 pounds per tix. We will be there March end. Thanks

mendota98

Took my two children 18 and 20 to London this past December and they loved Jersey Boys and FlashDance. Also went to We Will Rock You for the second time but it was a let down compared to the Edinburgh production.

alanRow

War Horse & Billy Elliot would be my top choices

walkabout

£30 is a little low for popular shows in London. If you haven't done so already, you may want to check out this website for 1/2 price tickets day of show and discounted tickets you can purchase in advance:

http://www.tkts.co.uk/whats-on-sale-today/

caroline_edinburgh

Mm, we are paying for £49.75 for War Horse in April.

alanRow

"Mm, we are paying for £49.75 for War Horse in April."

Ouch, I paid £17 last November

janisj

to get under £30 for decent seats you'll want to use TKTS in Leicester Square. Not any of the other ticket agencies in the same area -- <u>TKTS</u> which is the stand-alone bldg at the opposite side of the square from the tube station

BigRuss

We got Billy Elliot five rows from the stage for 38 each at TKTS (MSRP was 60). Show was great. You should look up an online (actual) English to (proper) English slang translator before seeing it, though.

I'd up the budget a bit -- going to a show just to go to a show can be a waste if you end up disliking it.

nini

We have had the best luck getting good tickets by going directly to the theater on the day we plan to see the play. Had great seats(10/'10) for Oliver! for 28 bp. Had a similar experience on another trip and saw Wicked for a good price.

lennyba

I frequently get good deals on lastminute.co.uk. The 39 Steps would probably be fun for your family.

skyking

Agree with janisj about the half-price ticket booth. The link that walkabout provided is for the Leicester Square half-price ticket booth.

Don't know if this is still true, but when I used the half-price ticket booth years ago you could only purchase tickets for the people that were actually with you. For example, you could not go alone and purchase 4 tickets. All parties had to be present at the booth(to protect against scalpers perhaps?)

reddy2go2

Thanks all. I aimed at 30 bp because I have seen discounted tickets online for that price (for WWRockU). Mousetrap balcony is also around that price for a Wednesday nite show. I have seen Billy Elliot twice in Chicago and loved it. I agree that to see a dud play just for the experience does not make sense. Think we will spend a little more and see War Horse or maybe Mousetrap. Figure the other shows come to Chicago but MT is so London. Thanks again.

janisj

"<i> Mousetrap balcony is also around that price for a Wednesday nite show</i>"

For a straight play (as opposed to a big musical) it is fairly important to get good seats and not in the second Balcony. Most theatres aren't massive, but they are steep and if one is not in the stalls or dress circle the sight lines can be awful.

Even for a big musical-- front of the balcony would be OK, but Dress Circle or stalls would be much better.

Be careful when ordering 'discount' tix. There are some legit discounts out there -- often connected w/ a pre-show dinner -- but a lot of "discounts" are just cheap seats. And they are cheap for a reason.

reddy2go2

Thanks Janis. Have you seen the Mousetrap? We read Agatha Christie and thought the play would be fun for the kids.

sfmurphys

I'm looking into theater tickets for my family's visit this summer and discovered Time Out lists some offers that are available to purchase now. I found what I think are great seats for 39 Steps for only 25GBP per ticket. I think the prices might compare to tkts and you have the advantage of purchasing in advance.

http://www.timeout.com/london/tickets/

You can check seating recommendations here:
http://www.theatremonkey.com/CRITERIONstalls.htm

janisj

"<i>Have you seen the Mousetrap?</i>"

The current production of the Mousetrap opened in <B>1952</B> - yep, 59 years ago. I think I've seen it 4 times but the last was at least 16-17 years ago. There is nothing 'wrong' w/ seeing The Moustrap. But it is bit long in the tooth to say the least. If one was on a theatre-centric trip and going to one or two shows a day -- why not. But for one's only West End play, I wouldn't personally choose the Mousetrap. Just my take on it.

reddy2go2

Thanks both to Janis and sfmurphys. I visited the Time Out site and there are several good plays with good seats (stalls)in my price range. 39 Steps and Ghost Stories are the two I am trying to decide between. Great problem to have