Free Theatre/Concert Tickets Discussion Thread

[superhero]

Well NT productions are doing really well, I don't think I've ever seen the situation where they have 3 West End productions in 1 go at the same time.

[valda]

I think tickets sales for the summer have been poor due to the Olympics which is probably forcing some shows to cut their losses and close up.

Yes, I heard something similar on the radio a couple of weks ago. They didn't mention closing down but they said sales were only a fraction of the normal during the time of the Olympics and that would make things very difficult for teh theatres.

I don't really understand what differrence the Olympics makes. Surely as there are more people in town, stopping me from going to work (dig) there will be more people with nothing to do in the evenings unless they are all goiing to go to Aberdeen Steak Houses for a quality meal

[valda]

Does anyone know whether the seats at the National, in the front rows are ok? Looking at the seating plan for She Stoops to Conquer, the front ones are cheapest vx

[Ms Thrifty]

They are the seats I always go for, valda, and they are absolutely fine, provided you don't mind being a bit more cramped. I think it's the first 4 rows, isn't it, or certainly the first 3, and the further back in the 3 or 4 rows you are, the better, obviously.

[jeanelle]

Does anyone know whether the seats at the National, in the front rows are ok? Looking at the seating plan for She Stoops to Conquer, the front ones are cheapest vx

No armrests but such a bargain. Did you know they are doing a live broadcast of this on March 29th? Lots of Odeons and Curzons and maybe others, £15.

[canadian_turtle]

Does anyone know whether the seats at the National, in the front rows are ok? Looking at the seating plan for She Stoops to Conquer, the front ones are cheapest vx

Which NT building is it in? For the Olivier the front row seats (day seats at 10 or 12 quid each) are actually the best seats.

I think tickets sales for the summer have been poor due to the Olympics which is probably forcing some shows to cut their losses and close up.

Yes, I heard something similar on the radio a couple of weks ago. They didn't mention closing down but they said sales were only a fraction of the normal during the time of the Olympics and that would make things very difficult for teh theatres.

I don't really understand what differrence the Olympics makes. Surely as there are more people in town, stopping me from going to work (dig) there will be more people with nothing to do in the evenings unless they are all goiing to go to Aberdeen Steak Houses for a quality meal

I think the exact same thing. Advanced ticket sales may be down as locals don't want to venture into the city but I think the influx of tourists will mean really big ticket sales on the day or just a few in advance.

[canadian_turtle]

Both Legally Blond and Crazy For You are superb shows. If you've not seen them I highly recommend you see both before they end. Lastminute has deals for CFY.

The cheapest lastminute.com deals are often the seats in the upper circle towards the back which you can b*y for the same price (if not cheaper because there often is no booking fee) directly from the theatre box office in person or over the phone.

For top price tickets etc they do often have a better price than the theatre itself, but TKTS is usually cheapest on the day of the performance or 1 or 2 days in advance (depending on the show)

[Ms Thrifty]

I could be wrong but have never heard of the front few rows in the Olivier and Lyttelton being available as day seats. So far as I know, they are snapped up as soon as they go on sale. I have the "Advance" (cheaper) membership and often find the "Priority" members have booked them all by the time Advance members' booking opens. So goodness knows, ordinary members of the public are lucky to get any of these seats.

[canadian_turtle]

I could be wrong but have never heard of the front few rows in the Olivier and Lyttelton being available as day seats. So far as I know, they are snapped up as soon as they go on sale. I have the "Advance" (cheaper) membership and often find the "Priority" members have booked them all by the time Advance members' booking opens. So goodness knows, ordinary members of the public are lucky to get any of these seats.

The first row in the Olivier are day seats, I know from experience as I made extensive use of this during the Frankenstein run It's blocked out of the advanced booking seating plan, that one starts in second row I believe (which I too have used as at £12 it's excellent value and at least it means no queuing!)

As for the Lyttleton, day seats there are in the slips.

[Ms Thrifty]

That must explain it, then, c_t - for I have almost invariably booked these seats but never been offered, or booked, the front row, hence never realised it wasn't available in advance. And of course I had no interest in booking for Frankenstein!

When I lived in Croydon I often used to go up early and queue for day seats but it's too far now and not a good use of my time. Great if you are more local or prepared to wait, though.