Question For London Theathre Goers

DominicStar · 28 Mar 2009 at 21:30

Am visiting the rents in Essex for 4 days next month and was wondering if anyone could suggest some good theatre in London. Not the big shows though already had to shell out too much for Wicked - something a little off the beaten track that is good but maybe at smaller theatres or maybe something that is good but doesn't get all the press attention.

Gepetto · 28 Mar 2009 at 21:44

DominicStar said:
Am visiting the rents in Essex for 4 days next month and was wondering if anyone could suggest some good theatre in London. Not the big shows though already had to shell out too much for Wicked - something a little off the beaten track that is good but maybe at smaller theatres or maybe something that is good but doesn't get all the press attention.

Where are you going to be in Essex?

DominicStar · 28 Mar 2009 at 21:46

Gepetto said:
Where are you going to be in Essex?

*cough *harlow *cough*

Flibster · 28 Mar 2009 at 21:48

Errr. They will all be pretty expensive.

Possibly the Comedy store?

DominicStar · 28 Mar 2009 at 21:50

Surely the small theatres aren't gonna bump us for £40-60 odd a pop?

Flibster · 28 Mar 2009 at 22:02

DominicStar said:
Surely the small theatres aren't gonna bump us for £40-60 odd a pop?

Certainly some of the smaller venues still charge up to £50 a ticket.

DominicStar · 28 Mar 2009 at 22:05

Ah right I underestimated them. Welcome to London

N9ne · 28 Mar 2009 at 22:23

I've heard you can sometimes get cheaper tickets if you buy them on the day perhaps from the official box office or a reseller?

DominicStar · 28 Mar 2009 at 22:26

Yeah you can but I am wanting to go on a Saturday and have plans till mid afternoon.

N9ne · 28 Mar 2009 at 22:28

DominicStar said:
Yeah you can but I am wanting to go on a Saturday and have plans till mid afternoon.

It's still possible, but I suppose the difficulty is not knowing where to look. Perhaps just popping down to say Drury Lane a bit early might give you the time to hit up a few different box offices. (Also try Leicester Square/Covent Garden).

Failing that, hunt for bargains online I guess!

Gepetto · 28 Mar 2009 at 22:35

DominicStar said:
*cough *harlow *cough*

Ahh. Not too convenient for Southend then. We've seen some great theatre there, and at more like £25-£35. Makes for a good day out if the weathers good.

DominicStar · 28 Mar 2009 at 22:45

Gepetto said:
Ahh. Not too convenient for Southend then. We've seen some great theatre there, and at more like £25-£35. Makes for a good day out if the weathers good.

It would be ok if I could drive.

Eventful days out sums it up more accurately - my last visit there we happened on a pub playing karaoke on a Sunday afternoon, and a woman of a about 80 (no kidding) repeatedly flashing what was left of her bust and screeching to 'My Heart Will Go On'.

Gepetto · 28 Mar 2009 at 23:07

DominicStar said:
It would be ok if I could drive.

Eventful days out sums it up more accurately - my last visit there we happened on a pub playing karaoke on a Sunday afternoon, and a woman of a about 80 (no kidding) repeatedly flashing what was left of her bust and screeching to 'My Heart Will Go On'.

Sheer class! That's what Essex is all about!

J1234 · 28 Mar 2009 at 23:11

Last minute.com is good for getting cheap theatre ticket for the bigger shows. Have used them a few times.

Also try the box office the morning/just before shows which usually sell them a bit cheaper.

Nix · 28 Mar 2009 at 23:17

I was on stage at the Pavillions once - true story. I pulled a rubber duck across the stage and everything.

Ekim · 29 Mar 2009 at 00:18

Depends if you have to see a musical or not. Straight plays are hell of a lot cheaper.

I saw a show today at the National Theatre, ticket cost me £15 reduced from £29 - just turned up a few hours before the show to see what deal we could get.

DominicStar · 31 Mar 2009 at 13:41

Ekim said:
Depends if you have to see a musical or not. Straight plays are hell of a lot cheaper.

Doesn't have to be a musical I would rather a comedy or something gritty and down to earth to be honest.

Thought War Horse would be good then cracked at the £47.50 minimum ticket price for days I can go.

tisonlyme · 31 Mar 2009 at 13:55

I've never seen it, so don't know how good it is, but I'm pretty sure lastminute were doing tickets for 'The Woman in Black' for about £11 or something similar a few weeks ago...

Maccy · 31 Mar 2009 at 14:54

Go up on the day and find small stands offering tickets - usually go for somewhere between £20-30 and for good seats (stalls, circle).
Blood Brothers is supposed to be good, I'm yet to see it though.

Tunney · 31 Mar 2009 at 15:24

Justin said:
Last minute.com is good for getting cheap theatre ticket for the bigger shows. Have used them a few times.

This is sound advice. I've seen lots of big shows go for £5, £10 and £20. My girlfriend and I paid £10 each to see Fat Pig when regular tickets were £40-50.