Theatre tickets in London
Feb 8th, 2004, 03:48 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Theatre tickets in London
What is the best source for theatre tickets in London? My family and I will visit there in June. I'd like tickets for 1 or 2 shows ahead of time so I know what our plans are--the online ticket sources I've seen all have some hefty handling fees-- that may be normal. Any advice? Our first choice show is Mama Mia.
Feb 8th, 2004, 05:31 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi-
Either use the conceirge or else try Londontown.com...... We used them for tickets for Grease and Les Miserables. At Grease we had awesome seats, for Les we had nosebleed seats. We paid $12 pounds for the tickets. My sister was mad but I was lost in the play which was awesome. We used the concierge at our hotel for Phantom and Mamma Mia.
Hope this helps........
Either use the conceirge or else try Londontown.com...... We used them for tickets for Grease and Les Miserables. At Grease we had awesome seats, for Les we had nosebleed seats. We paid $12 pounds for the tickets. My sister was mad but I was lost in the play which was awesome. We used the concierge at our hotel for Phantom and Mamma Mia.
Hope this helps........
Feb 8th, 2004, 05:54 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've never heard of emailing direct to theatres -- but if that's possible, I guess fine.
To me the best way is to call direct to the theatre. Until recently there were never any fees for doing that (now they may charge about a pound per ticket). They will guide you through the best seats available, take a credit card number, and hold the tickets for pick up right at the boxoffice.
You can find the phone numbers of the theatres from either of these sites:
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
www.theatremonkey.com
You can find seating charts and even detailed seating suggestions on theatremonkey. Then when you call the theatres you can know what they are talking about, and they will guide you to best seats available for any performance.
I see no reason to go through a broker and pay extra fees, and at the same time not necessarily have the full choice of unsold seats like you do dealing directing with the theatre.
If you don't have a European calling plan, you can dial 101-6400 plus the number of the box office for charges of 4.9 cents per minute.
This is the perfect way to get tickets to Mama Mia -- yes, they will now be available for June. Mama Mia is moving to the Prince of Wales Theatre on June 3, so make sure you call Prince of Wales, not Prince Edward.
To me the best way is to call direct to the theatre. Until recently there were never any fees for doing that (now they may charge about a pound per ticket). They will guide you through the best seats available, take a credit card number, and hold the tickets for pick up right at the boxoffice.
You can find the phone numbers of the theatres from either of these sites:
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
www.theatremonkey.com
You can find seating charts and even detailed seating suggestions on theatremonkey. Then when you call the theatres you can know what they are talking about, and they will guide you to best seats available for any performance.
I see no reason to go through a broker and pay extra fees, and at the same time not necessarily have the full choice of unsold seats like you do dealing directing with the theatre.
If you don't have a European calling plan, you can dial 101-6400 plus the number of the box office for charges of 4.9 cents per minute.
This is the perfect way to get tickets to Mama Mia -- yes, they will now be available for June. Mama Mia is moving to the Prince of Wales Theatre on June 3, so make sure you call Prince of Wales, not Prince Edward.
Feb 8th, 2004, 06:18 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I usually get advance tickets to shows in London by calling the box office. Another option (which I plan to try) is to use www.ticketmaster.co.uk to buy tickets online. You can also buy tickets online by going to www.playbill.com and clicking on London under their Listings/Tickets section. This section has descriptions and information about the shows in addition to a place to buy tickets.
Feb 9th, 2004, 06:03 AM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just used ticketmaster.co.uk a couple of weeks ago to buy tickets to a play, and the tickets that it said I was getting were different from the tickets I got a confirmation for. I don't know how it happened, but on the page I entered my credit card info, the seats were the ones I wanted. On the next page (confirmation page) the seat row had changed. I e-mailed, and got a reply that I knew seats couldn't be changed after purchase, and that what had happened was impossible. I called customer service, and got the same reply. Needless to say, I'm not overly pleased with them at the moment. I don't know HOW it happened, but it did, and their customer service SUCKS! Ok, rant over, thanks!
Feb 9th, 2004, 08:15 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm really curious. Can anyone explain an advantage of buying the tickets online through an agency, rather than calling the boxoffice? If you use a cheap calling number, the idea of saving money online is more than wiped out by the service charges all the online companies charge. And you don't have the advantage of talking with a person and getting the best seats possible.
Feb 9th, 2004, 08:39 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We used Albemarle of London to get our tickets to Mama Mia. Picked our seats from the theatre map, paid by credit card and picked up our tickets at the box office. All of this was done via the Internet. Were pleased with everything. Especially the show. Fantastic!!
John
John
Feb 9th, 2004, 09:27 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
John, not to argue, but I'm still curious why you would book online with Albemarle instead of calling the theatre. Do you feel it is easier and worth the extra money? Were you given a choice of seats or just the "best available"? I'm glad you had a good experience and that's the most important thing, I'm just curious why you prefer that method. And do you not concern yourself with costs?
Current top price weekend tickets for Mama Mia from the theatre are 45 pounds each. From Albemarle they are 56.65 pounds each. That is a total extra cost of about $42 US for a pair of tickets booked through Albemarle. Do most people feel that it is worth it to do that, or do they just not realize it costs them that much more?
Current top price weekend tickets for Mama Mia from the theatre are 45 pounds each. From Albemarle they are 56.65 pounds each. That is a total extra cost of about $42 US for a pair of tickets booked through Albemarle. Do most people feel that it is worth it to do that, or do they just not realize it costs them that much more?
Feb 9th, 2004, 11:03 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm with you Patrick. Unless I can get a discount otherwise, I deal with the theater directly. This year I did find discounts on the Visitbritain website, but usually I end up calling the theater and picking my seats. I also frequent theatremonkey.com to find out which seats are best and to get the low down on the charges for tickets. They tell you what the charges are via on-line and the box office.
Feb 10th, 2004, 02:55 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the advice. I tried ticketmaster.co/uk last night, and I was pleased with the experience. I bought tickets for Mamma Mia. The tickets happened to be in one of the few rows we thought were ideal at our price range-- and as 1st timer's luck would have it, that's right where they were. So it worked for us. Fees were much better than the up to 8 pounds per ticket I was seeing on some other sights. Glad I did not use those!!! Whew! We're also looking to see a non-musical-- I'll try calling the theatres direct for that and see which experience worked best for me.
smiroglotta
smiroglotta
Feb 10th, 2004, 03:49 AM
#13
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have a discounted ticket booth in London just like new york. It is located in Leicester square and is well worth a try. Remember ticket prices in london should be much cheaper than Broadway, with shows starting at £10 and should never be more than £40ish.
Feb 10th, 2004, 02:48 PM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kayeb, I used to always say that London tickets were "much less than Broadway" also, but I have had to drop that phrase. Generally they are a little lower, but closer in price all the time. I just got two tickets for Jerry Springer the Opera -- they are 50 pounds each direct from the theatre. With our current exchange rate and the minimum fee the box office charges, it actually came out almost $200 US for the pair of tickets. I'm afraid they're now reaching New York prices!
But yes, the TKTS booth is great for most shows that aren't "impossible" to get.
But yes, the TKTS booth is great for most shows that aren't "impossible" to get.
Feb 10th, 2004, 03:03 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, by the way. Programs are free at Broadway productions (other than the big special souvenier books for musicals). If I bought the programs for most London theatres (which are never free) the added cost will tend to then even out to the total cost of the Broadway ticket. Just a couple years ago it seemed like most of the London programs were a pound. Now they tend to be 3 or 4. Adding $7 for a program to the cost of the theatre ticket really irks me.
By the way, that's a minor complaint. I still LOVE theatre in London, often more than much of Broadway.
By the way, that's a minor complaint. I still LOVE theatre in London, often more than much of Broadway.
Feb 9th, 2005, 07:05 PM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good tip on the half-price tickets and it's important for people to know that upon exiting the Leicester Square tube station, they will immediately encounter a bunch of businesses with signs proclaiming "Half Price Tickets!". Walk on by and go directly to the "OFFICIAL" half price ticket booth in the square itself.
Here's a website with a picture of what you're looking for:
http://www.thisistheatre.com/halfpricetickets.html
Pay attention to the hours of operation, since it can be a case of "The Early Bird" and note that for some of the VERY popular productions, such as the Lion King, this isn't going to be a valid option. You'll want to book those well in advance.
Here's a website with a picture of what you're looking for:
http://www.thisistheatre.com/halfpricetickets.html
Pay attention to the hours of operation, since it can be a case of "The Early Bird" and note that for some of the VERY popular productions, such as the Lion King, this isn't going to be a valid option. You'll want to book those well in advance.
Feb 9th, 2005, 07:12 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How weird. It took me a bit to realize this thread was one year old yesterday, as I thought it was just from yesterday and couldn't remember making those other posts!
Information from Theatremonkey.
Adelphi Theatre:
0870 403 0303
or 0161 385 3211
This is a ticketmaster number acting for that theatre and there is a 1 pound charge per ticket.
Chicago is nearly always available at the TKTS booth at Leicester Square. 40pound tickets are 22.50 including the fee. There are generally very good seats.
Information from Theatremonkey.
Adelphi Theatre:
0870 403 0303
or 0161 385 3211
This is a ticketmaster number acting for that theatre and there is a 1 pound charge per ticket.
Chicago is nearly always available at the TKTS booth at Leicester Square. 40pound tickets are 22.50 including the fee. There are generally very good seats.
Feb 9th, 2005, 10:03 PM
#19
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patrick
I was in London seeing Chicago and other plays when this post originally came up. I thought it was yesterday too until I saw your post about Mamma Mia moving. I agree with you about having to pay for the program. That is annoying especially if you are used to getting them free.
I was in London seeing Chicago and other plays when this post originally came up. I thought it was yesterday too until I saw your post about Mamma Mia moving. I agree with you about having to pay for the program. That is annoying especially if you are used to getting them free.
