1. Tkts The Half-Price Ticket Booth
The official Half-Price Ticket Booth in Leicester Square, now called tkts, has a number of cheap tickets for most West End shows sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is the only official half priced ticket operation in Leicester Square and is distinguished by the large queues waiting for 10am opening each day. Don’t be fooled by other so called half-priced ticket vendors or you might end up buying a dud. They also have another outlet at Canary Wharf that is usually quieter.
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2. Matinee performances
Daytime performances are much cheaper than evenings although sometimes the stars put their feet up during the day and an understudy takes over. Seats for Mon. - Thurs. evening performances in the West End are uniformly cheaper than Friday or Saturday nights.
3. Restricted-view seat in the stalls
If a show isn’t sold out, buy restricted viewing seats in the stalls (if the theatre has them) and when the lights dim, tiptoe down to a better position. Shhh, you didn’t hear this from us.
4. The cheapest seats at the top of the theatre
If you are short of a quid, have extremely good eye sight, or a handy pair of binoculars, try the cheap nose-bleed section up at the top of the theatre.
5. Theatre box office
Go directly to the theatre box office to buy your tickets. This will usually save 10 – 20% on credit card charges, telephone booking fees and agency commissions. Hotel entertainment booking desk staff might have friendly smiles, but that’s because they are charging like a wounded bull for the pleasure of your business – avoid unless feeling exceedingly lazy.
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6. Go to previews
Tickets to West End and off West End shows are often £5 cheaper or at 2-for-1 if the critics haven't had a chance to gush over or slaughter them yet. Sometimes shows are cancelled at short notice or radically altered before opening and full price performances, so attend the last preview possible to minimise the risk of this happening.
7. The National Theatre
A number of tickets for shows are held for the day of performance. On sales at the box office from 8am for popular shows.
8. Reduced-price ticket nights
Some theatres have reduced-price ticket nights. In a moment of lunacy, Battersea Arts Centre decided to start regular 'pay what you want’ nights. Shows at the Royal Court are £7.50 on Monday nights, and the Theatre Royal Stratford East has bottomed out prices for students and seniors.
9. Standing room tickets
Feel like stretching the legs? Some venues sell standing room tickets at vastly reduced prices. Worth enquiring about when shows are sold out or you can’t afford a seat. It’s also far less obvious if you feel like slipping out early.
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10. Time Out Magazine and newspapers
The Sunday Times occasionally has deals in its 'Culture' section, whilst the Evening Standard 'Hot Tickets' supplement on Thursday is worth a peek for special deals and listings. 'Time Out' carries offers in the theatre listings section, scattered throughout the magazine, and buried at the foot of feature articles.
