Five ways to snag theatre tickets on a budget
There’s so much great theatre in London, but it’s no secret that it isn’t cheap. In fact, the average show’s least expensive ticket is still £30 (!), and probably restricted view at that.
I’m a theatre reviewer in my life outside Cheapskate (check out some of my latest work here!), so over the years I’ve come across some handy ways to get around those hefty fees. Whether your vibe is a meaty Shakespeare at the Globe or the latest jukebox musical, Cheapskate is here to help. Here are my top tips:
1. Mark your calendars for the sales
London Theatre Week is really the holy grail for this. Twice a year, once in late February and once in September, some of the capital’s most popular shows have seats on offer for as little as £15. Plus, it nearly always gets extended by at least a week.
2. Don’t be afraid of restricted view
The term ‘restricted view’ may strike fear into some theatregoers’ hearts, but considering these seats can be as cheap as £10 (£5 for standing in the Globe, just like the Elizabethans did), it’s worth not ruling them out. I promise you don’t need to see every detail of that actor’s face from behind a pillar, but if you are worried about the view, this website can be a great help.
Also, this one might sound obvious, but if you’re lucky enough to still be a student or have a flexible work schedule, don’t forget to check for cheap tickets still available at off-peak times
And even if you do work a traditional 9-5, there’s still the Saturday matinees to consider.
3. Look up specific venues
If there’s a particular play you’ve been dying to see, it’s worth checking to see if that venue offers any specific regular deals. The National Theatre, for example, releases a limited number of £10 tickets every Friday at 1pm, while new writing specialist the Royal Court offers £15 tickets each Monday at 9am (set those alarms!).
It’s also always worth checking TodayTix for any flash-in-the-pan deals – at the time of writing, there was 69% off on My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, a solid choice for all our Cheapskate Kids readers.
4. Still under 25? Make the most of it
If you’re still in your teens or twenties, see as much theatre as you possibly can by taking advantage of deals like £5 tickets at the Almeida and the Bridge Theatre’s £7.50 scheme. I also wish more young people knew about how affordable opera can be – if you’re under 35, the ENO can be as cheap as £20, and under-21s go free.
Regardless of age, many smaller theatres offer ‘pay what you can’ deals, no questions asked (though there’s sometimes a minimum contribution of a few pounds). My faves include the Arcola in Dalston and the New Diorama near Regent’s Park.
5. The kindness of strangers
This method requires some caution, but sites like Twickets, Stubhub and Viagogo can often yield some impressive discounts – just make sure you check that the site you’re on is promoted as an official reseller, and that the person you’re buying from has a trustworthy online presence. Alternatively, you can even skip the middleman and go straight to individual buyers on Facebook groups like this one (all while doing due diligence, of course).
Fun fact, when my dad and I saw Evita with Rachel Zegler back in September, we ended up being sat next to the person who’d sold the tickets we bought on Twickets – so it definitely can be legit!
Got any more tips for snagging cheap theatre tickets? Let us know by DM-ing us on Instagram or emailing hello@cheapskatelondon.com.
