Day Tickets 

When it comes to West End shows, the trend is such that if you do not purchase your tickets beforehand, the chances of getting them at the venue are slim to none. However, Day Tickets are a loophole to this rule. These are tickets made available to the public on the very day of the show, specifically a couple of hours before the show kicks off. These tickets include front or side seat tickets, which give audiences a limited view of the proceedings. Almost all London theatres have day tickets on sale and you need not wait around in one place. You can simply go from theatre to theatre to get yourself the cheap London theatre tickets you like. However, most of the day tickets are restricted to two tickets per person, hence you may not be able to purchase too many.

Theatre Membership: Cheap London Theatre Tickets for a Lifetime

If you are a connoisseur of the arts and wish to support the movement, you can do so by taking a membership. However, if you wish to procure cheap London theatre tickets and enjoy bar discounts, the membership can be very useful. Each theatre offers a membership, which is often an annual payment ranging between 15 to 80 pounds. The membership allows you to snag tickets days before they go on sale to the public. You also get other benefits such as free preview shows, a full release of the program itinerary before public release, and more. Through memberships, you can get the best and cheap London theatre tickets for the cheapest prices. 

Best Possible Prices on Shows with a London Pass

Perhaps the best way to snag cheap London theatre tickets is through a London pass. This pass allows you to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of 25% over the retail price. From award-winning shows such as Thriller to Aladdin to entertaining shows like Kinky Boots and Wicked, you can get cheap London theatre tickets to these shows. The pass also allows you to enjoy the city of London with great flexibility. Enjoy access to public transport, tours of the city, match tickets, and more. 

Standby Tickets: A Frugal Alternative

If saving money is your primary goal, then the best way to attend a West End show is by scouring for returned or canceled tickets. Cancellation or returns on any show is almost always a possibility. These tickets make their way back to the box office and can be found for heavily slashed prices. You can get the cheap London theatre tickets early in the morning, around 8 AM when the theatre opens or around 90 minutes before the start of the show. You should also bring both cash and credit cards as the box office may prefer one over the other.    

West End Lottery

Willing to see if lady luck favors your side? What better way to find out than by enrolling in a West End lottery, where you may get to watch hit shows for prices as low as £10! Certain theatres often have restrictions such as cash-only payment, limited tickets, and photo ID requirements for buying these cheap London theatre tickets.

The process of procuring these cheap London theatre tickets is relatively simple and there are three ways you can win a ticket. 

• On the day before the show: On certain shows, the theatre conducts a lottery with a 22-hour window, where you can apply for the ticket through their app or website. 
• On the day of the show: Almost all the shows in West End conduct a lottery just 2 to 3 hours before the show and you will have to be present to buy the tickets for the lottery. 
• Weekly lottery: a lot of hit shows take your details on the website and conduct it once every week.

TKTS: The Official Partner

Being the approved discount-ticket provider for the Theatre society of London, your best bet to get cheap tickets is through TKTS. They offer all tickets on sale and you can even snag some tickets at the last minute. Sometimes you can even snag a ticket for up to 50% off. As there is only one counter in West End at Leicester Square and people often line up in the early hours of the day in order to get tickets. If you are looking to snag matinee tickets TKTS booths are the best place to get cheap London theatre tickets, however, you will need to be at the counter at 9 AM to get them. 

Group Discounts

Theatres often provide huge discounts, up to 50% off on the price of tickets when you purchase it in a group. If you are looking to spend some quality time with your group of friends and family, you can choose from a range of entertaining shows that people of all ages can enjoy. Note, only groups of over 6 people can avail of the group discount for cheap London theatre tickets. From classics to new age comedy, there is a wide range of options you can pick from. As it can be a daunting task to find a single show to watch with friends, you can find a list of shows that are great to watch with a group. 

Social Media Deals

Keeping up with the age of social media, most West End theatres keep their followers and fans engaged by hosting regular contests on their social media pages. These contests generally include discounted (or free, if it's your lucky day) West End tickets or cheap London theatre tickets for the winner. There are also many giveaways where influencers host contests on their social media pages and give cheap London theatre tickets to the winners. To take advantage of this tip, follow the pages of all major West End theatres and productions. Any time there's a contest announced, you'll be the first to know! Staying updated on social media also ensures you don't miss out on important discounts and promo code announcements.