It is not just the buying of the tickets that adds to the bottom line when going to the theatre in London. The host of add-ons that help to make the evening special can be just as demanding on your budget. So what can you do to make sure that your special night out, whether it is a family evening outing, a crazy last minute idea or a romantic theatre break in London with hotel accommodation thrown in? Read on!
The main things that you will buy are: tickets, programme, interval drinks, ice creams, chocolates, pre-show drinks, pre-show dinner, travel to and from the theatre, a new frock, new earrings, handbag and shoes to go with the new frock, new shirt because you refuse to go out with him looking like THAT, the babysitter…. AGGGGHHHHHH!
So the first tip has got to be “chuck a sickie” and go with a friend to a matinee. Firstly you are likely to get a deal, secondly the friend will certainly go halves on the pre-theatre meal and may even buy you an interval drink and you don’t have to dress up for friends, or for matinees… is this not the sort of industry insider knowledge you were expecting? Sorry, but it is a good idea: why don’t we do it more often? You are also more likely to agree on what sort of show you want to see with a friend (or at least you can hunt around for the right friend for the right show!)
But joking aside, midweek performance of any sort (matinee or evening) will be cheaper than a Saturday night. The face value of the ticket will be no different but most shows will offer a deal midweek sometimes just on the ticket or sometimes as part of a theatre dinner deal or theatre and hotel break, often saving you as much as £30 on top price seats.
Where do you find these tickets? And how do you know they are not just cheap rubbish tickets? ASK. Ask first at the theatre. Often they will not actually be cheapest, but they will tell you how much tickets are supposed to be, so that when you get offered a pair of tickets in row P of the stalls for £30 you will know whether those seats should be £30, or maybe £15 or even £60 each!
Look out for agents who are members of STAR. The price they are allowed to charge is still up to 25% but they don’t charge that on all tickets and they must tell you what the face value of the ticket is and describe accurately and clearly where you will be sitting.
If you are in London and booking last minute head to Leicester Square to the TKTS ticket booth. This used to be the Half Price Ticket Booth until a lot of other booths cropped up around the square: yes they can offer some deals and yes, most of them are STAR agents too but they are not THE famous Half Price Ticket booth of Leicester Square. Head to the south side of the square and the booth stands there on its own.
If you are planning ahead then you have the time to look through the various websites that offer London theatre tickets… and when some will charge full price AND 25% and others will discount by up to 50% it is worth shopping around.
RULE: Don’t buy tickets without knowing where you are sitting. There is only one time that may be unavoidable and that is when dealing with some holiday companies. Because of their allocations, often they will only know that they will have what the industry term as “best tickets” but not actually know the seat numbers. But most of these companies are also STAR members and ABTA too, so all in all are fairly trustworthy. If you have a specific requirement then do phone and ask – aisle seat, close to the stage / exit / toilet / bar etc. And if you have access issues then talk to the theatre direct. Most agents cannot help directly but will give you a number to call.
Refreshments can easily add £20 to the costs for a couple going to the theatre if you buy them from the theatre.
If you are really on a budget, don’t buy programmes, just download some relevant information from the show website and read that whilst you are waiting for the curtain to go up!
Don’t buy pre-show drinks just because you can now take them into the auditorium in a plastic glass. If you have got there early leave and come back. Buy your Maltesers from the sweet shop next door. And whilst you are there check out the nearest pub and then rather than use the theatre bar which will be jammed and expensive, nip next door in the interval. In the olden days you would have to race the orchestra to the bar but as they can’t smoke AND drink they tend to lurk around the stage door. BUT don’t forget to go back in. You won’t get a bell: keep an eye on the smokers at the front of the theatre that will be your clue to go back in!
My auntie doesn’t do any of this – instead she takes her G and T in a flask and never leaves her seat – which can be a problem when it is time to leave because she mixes with a heavy hand! hic!
The easiest way to avoid arriving early is to eat your pre-theatre meal at a nearby restaurant. Then the timing of your journey is easier. Also the restaurant will know when to get you out and they will probably have a special pre-theatre menu, saving you even more money… you can even get packages on the web for theatre and meal deals – great rates, especially midweek… but the same rules apply as far as tickets are concerned.
Theatre packages can mean great savings across the board: travel, accommodation, tickets, meals etc but sometimes a trip to the theatre is not about saving money. Sometimes you just have to push the boat out! If you are celebrating and spending £120 on tickets, £150 on accommodation, £100 on rail tickets and £60 on a decent meal, what is the point in dashing round the corner to save £2 on a Gin and Tonic?
I love the theatre and when I go out that is the most important thing, so what I am saying is this: you can save £30 per person on tickets, £10 per person on a meal, £5 on drinks and nibbles and £20 on travel… if you want to!
Oh, and if you are new to London buy an Oyster Card or a travel card rather than single tickets on the tube or bus – Oyster cards are even valid on the river – how cool would that be to go to the theatre by boat!!
About the author: Simon Harding has been promoting London theatre for over 30 years. He recently wrote London Theatre and Theatre Breaks – a guide on getting the best out of your London theatre-going. SPECIAL OFFER: Readers can download a copy by clicking on the link above – it’s free for a tweet or a share.
