
When it comes to theatre art, there are very few places better than the West End - the theatre district of London. Some of the best plays in the world have been screened in one of the many theatres in this district. Crowds have enjoyed brilliant pieces of acting from some of the most well-recognized names in the theatre world.
While a majority of people might associate theatre as a hobby for the wealthy and a luxurious indulgence that seems out of reach, in reality, it is far from that. London theatre tickets can often be found for very cheap prices. In order to get these cheap London theatre tickets, however, you will need to get creative and find smart ways to score these tickets!
Here are a few ways to procure cheap London theatre tickets and even attend plays in places such as Off-West End theatres or pub theatres, where it is considerably cheaper. West End shows in London should be enjoyed by everyone and through these clever tricks to grab cheap London theatre tickets, you can watch some fine performances without having to spend a fortune.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Theatres and the management behind them often use their websites or other third-party websites to ensure that their tickets are available for purchase. On the theatre website, you will often find that the tickets are full price and come with limited availability. If you are looking for last-minute and cheap London theatre tickets, your best bet would be on third-party ticketing applications such as Headout, London Theatre District, and Encore.
Headout is perhaps the most reliable source for your cheap London theatre tickets to a West End show. You will often see discounts between 20-40% on almost all tickets. With a great inventory of shows happening in and around London, there is a great chance that you will find tickets at the last minute. This is helpful as it means you do not have to wait in queues or go to a ticket booth, you can simply purchase them with a click of a button.
Book NowPerhaps the best way to spend quality family time is by indulging in a family-friendly West End show. If you are looking to save money, the best way to go about it is by booking tickets for Kids week, where children under the ages of 16 can enjoy some of the best shows West End has to offer. In order to avail of the offer, the children must be accompanied by an adult and adults can also purchase two extra tickets for half price. From musicals to comedies, there is a wide range of shows for enthusiasts to pick from. It is a great way to introduce your family to the wonders of theatre.
Kids' TheatreBeing 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.
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.
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.
For people who are new to the vast and majestic world of London theatre, the TKTS booths in London are referred to as Half-Price Ticket Booths and you can get cheap London theatre tickets for some of the most popular shows in town. You can find the said cheap London theatre tickets a day before the show or even a week in advance. However, you will need to be lucky as cheap London theatre tickets get sold out very quickly.
One of the best ways to procure cheap London theatre tickets is on weekdays. The crowds always prefer going out for shows on weekends, hence the prices are always higher on weekends. Weekday shows on the other hand have very less attendances, which is why theatres only have single shows on weekdays. Another advantage of getting tickets on the weekdays are the small crowds. Unlike weekends where you may meet with a horde of people, weekdays are relatively less crowded and chaotic.
The morning show or the Matinee as it is called is a great time to catch West End shows. The tickets are some of the cheapest on any West End program and the timings ensure that crowds are relatively lesser. If you want to avoid crowds, matinee shows during the weekends are the best. Evening shows are perfect for a night out, timings are convenient and you can also get cheap London theatre tickets. If you are solely looking to attend a show and save money, matinees will be your best bet.
Almost all of the productions, big or small have preview performances. These are performances where the show is still in progress. It means certain elements of the show such as the stage, set, and so on might still be incomplete. These tickets are far cheaper, but you still get the full value of the show. If stellar acting performances are what you are after, this may be the way to go! Another great thing of note is that you will see these shows even before the press gets to see them.
If you are an avid theatre-goer, signing up for a newsletter might just be the best way to stay informed about the ongoings at West End. A newsletter will contain important information about upcoming shows and programs along with additional discount codes and cheap London theatre tickets for the said shows.
For the young theatre enthusiast, student discounts are often a saving grace. Once you furnish your valid student ID at the ticket booth or an online copy at the ticketing website or app, you can avail of some great discounts and procure some cheap London theatre tickets.
A. There are multiple ways to buy cheap London theatre tickets. Some of the sure-shot ways include heading to the TKTS Booth on the day of the show, using apps like Headout that provide last-minute tickets, using a London Pass, and making use of the group discounts.
A. Yes, you can buy cheap London theatre tickets online for a hassle-free experience.
A. The TKTS Booths also known as "The Half Price Ticket Booth” sell cheap London theatre tickets to some of the most popular shows in town. You can find the said tickets a day before the show or even a week in advance. However, you will need to be lucky as these tickets get sold out very quickly.
A. If you’re below 25 years of age or a student (valid ID required), you can avail of student discounts and buy cheap London theatre tickets on almost all shows on West End.
A. No. London theatre tickets are not cheaper at the Box Office. In fact, Box Office rates are full price.
A. Yes. Matinee shows tend to be cheaper than evening shows. Moreover, it is relatively quieter as very few locals attend matinee shows.
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