West End Theatre Discounts

[Len Gersten]

Posted: 5/5/13 at 11:52am

My wife and I will be traveling to London this summer, and I'm hoping to find information on purchasing discount theater tickets while there. Either a service similar to TKTS, available discount coupons or the like. Any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 5/5/13 at 12:13pm

They have something similar to TKTS in Leicester Square where you can buy discounted tickets for that day's shows. Here's a website with info:

http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/

There is also a tourism website that sells tickets in advance for some West End shows. Sometimes the discounts are pretty good. Last time I was in London in 2011, I bought tickets for all 3 shows I saw at more than 50% off and never had to bother waiting in line at Leicester Square. If they have what you are looking for, they could be a good option.

http://visitbritain.entstix.com/

[MusicalTheatreGeek2]

Posted: 5/5/13 at 12:13pm

Well for a start there is TKTS... There is a booth in Leicester Square, but not as good as the New York one in my opinion!

Whatsonstage do pretty cheap tickets, as do LastMinute.com day seating is also an option (similar to Rush) but for some shows you have to be there pretty early! And at some shows (e.g. Matilda) there are age restrictions (usually 16-25) and also these are often, front row, so if you like to be further back then make sure you know where the seats are! Book of mormon has a lottery as it does everywhere! Some shows (Such as Once) when not sold out will sell any remaining seats at a discount shortly before curtain (but that is risky as there is no guarantee on cost or availablility) On top of that just searching something like 'cheap west end tickets' gets you a good selection of places where you can compare costs! Additionally there is the Chichester Festival which is a couple of hours out of London, but has shows which often end up transferring to the west end and it is generally much cheaper! (currently they are doing the pyjama game, and have Barnum at some point over the summer). I think that is all I got for now, but that should be enough to help you get by!

[Len Gersten]

Posted: 5/5/13 at 1:42pm

FishermanBob and MusicalTheatreGeek2, thank you both for the wonderful suggestions on acquiring discounted theater tickets. I will be looking into the web-based suggestions immediately and the London-area based options once we arrive there. I have never been to London (or England, for that matter) and greatly enjoy stage shows, so I am really looking forward to taking in the theater scene from across the pond.

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 5/5/13 at 2:17pm

You're welcome Len. London's a great city with loads of stuff to do. If you like Shakespeare, you might also check out what's playing at the Globe theater at Bankside. Even if you don't get tickets for something, taking a tour of the theater is a lot of fun and it's right next to the Tate Modern if you are into art.

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

Have a wonderful time.

[caadian_turtle]

Posted: 5/6/13 at 4:55am

This is a good site that compiles discounts and offers for all plays/shows. Their Twitter account is particularly useful and regularly updated:

http://bargaintheatreland.com

https://twitter.com/bargaintheatre

[SoonerOrLater]

Posted: 5/6/13 at 6:28am

A great index of theatre discounts and handy information on theatre seating and show times at
Theatremonkey.com

If in Leicester Square looking for discount tickets be sure to only use the TKTS booth (signs very clear!) and none of the other booths as these are mainly rip offs!

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 5/6/13 at 7:17am

I would either use TKTS onthe day or go to theatremonkey.com who not only list all current available offers from reputable agencies, they also have seat maps the are highlighted in terms of quality plus opinions from theatre goers so it can be very useful when booking

[Len Gersten]

Posted: 5/6/13 at 6:23pm

FishermanBob: Thanks, once again, for your excellent suggestion about Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The link you provided listed the tour you mentioned, as well as all the productions scheduled through the summer. Also, we were planning on visiting the Tate Modern, so pairing these two activities is a great idea.

caadian_turtle, SoonerOrLater and Princeton Returns: Thank you all for the helpful websites and other very useful information you offered.

Thanks to your thoughtful suggestions, we will have an easier time negotiating the London theater scene during our visit!

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 5/6/13 at 7:50pm

Do you know what you hope to see? The we can help you more with your specific needs.

[Len Gersten]

Posted: 5/8/13 at 12:49pm

Regarding the shows we'd like to see, I don't think we're really interested in shows we've already seen multiple times on Broadway (e.g. A Chorus Line, Spamalot, Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys) or even just once (39 Steps, Billy Elliot, Book of Mormon, Les Mis, One Man Two Guvnors, Wicked), or other shows available on New York City stages. Being a classic movie fan, I was considering either Top Hat or Singing in the Rain, but we would certainly be open to other recommended choices. And we'd be open to plays (although most of the shows I've mentioned are of the musical variety), as well, such as stage productions at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Bottom line: we're looking for good theater on the West End at a reasonable price.

Any input is much appreciated!

[jacksimms45]

Posted: 5/13/13 at 12:51am

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