Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - are the cheap seats any good?

[SockEatingMonster]

DD wants to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She'll only be 8, but based on her love of theatre and the Harry Potter books and films and the fact I'm desperate to see it too I think she'll enjoy it.

I usually book cheaper tickets but, given the visual nature of the performances and the fact that it's always slightly potluck over who gets the booster seats, I'm wondering if I should budget to spend more. Bearing in mind that if I do budget to spend more, it will probably be at the expense of her seeing some of the other shows on her list...

Can anyone who has been, especially those who have taken younger children, advise?

[SockEatingMonster]

Hopeful bump in case of any evening Harry Potter fans...

[Jb291]

Cheap seats are extremely cramped and the view of the stage is not good. Not recommended.

[BeansOnToastWithCheese]

I went and sat right at the back of the stalls. We missed a few of the tricks I think and didn't get the full impact of a few of the visual spectacles but would recommend those seats if you're economising. I couldn't have afforded to go otherwise - so was definitely worth it for us.

[SellFridges]

We were in the £15 seats about 18 months ago. We found it fine - a little cramped but we had a much better view than I expected.

That said, it was so utterly awesome that we’ll now be booking to take DD (who has just finished reading the books) and we are happy to spend more this time.

[CatLadyInTraining]

Check the theatre monkey website. They have detailed seat reviews for most west end shows which I find very helpful.

[SockEatingMonster]

Thank you, that helps. It's hard as her viewpoint is different from mine. I wonder if a back of stalls seat would be preferable to a better seat up in the gods as, given her lower vantage point, she'll find it easier to look up at the stage than down on it? I certainly won't be paying £500 for 2 tickets at the front, but might consider up to £250 for us both if it's likely to make a big difference. Unfortunately we have to factor in travel and hotels too

[SockEatingMonster]

Cross posted with CatLadyinTraining, that sounds like a really useful website, I'll be bookmarking that!

[TheTurnOfTheScrew]

DC1 (then aged 9) and DH went in the £30 seats in the gods. He said that they were a loooooong way from the stage, and there was one short part at the very front of the stage that they found hard to see. But other than than absolutely fine.

[SoTotallyOverThis]

We went and paid for the most expensive seats on the basis we’d go once and never again and it has won a ton of awards. It was still really reasonable (for London west end that is) I thought it was worth it and the visuals were fab. We had great views but like all London theatres even with the naicer seats it was still tight. My dc were 9 and 7 - they enjoyed it but I would say most of the audience were young adults. There weren’t many kids there at all but I suppose it’s a bigger expense.

[losingthemind]

We went last week, had dress circle seats (end of row E) for Part 1, amazing seats, I'd say almost better than stalls because the extra height over the stage gave an excellent vantage point. For part 2, we were in the balcony, quite far back - much more cramped, and obviously further from the stage, but still enjoyed it. My 10 year old complained initially, but didn't once it started. By splitting like this, it kept the cost to around £120/person. It was so worth it!

[SockEatingMonster]

The thing is, poor DD is used to craning her neck as I'm usually too tight to spend much, so she won't be expecting a fantastic view What I'm trying to avoid is her missing bits altogether.

I suppose I don't mind spending a bit more than I usually would, but I'd be a bit annoyed if we blew the budget and still missed bits.

What makes it harder is that a good seat for an adult might not be a good seat for a child.

Decisions, decisions...

[SockEatingMonster]

I'm cross posting again!

That sounds like a good idea losingthemind, did you have to book each part separately to do that? Also, if you are going to get better seats for one part, which part would you recommend?

[madeyemoodysmum]

The first part has the most tricks
Saying that I'm a massive potter fan and I enjoyed it but I wouldn't go again and in all honesty. I think 8 is too young. It's quite slow in parts.
Not at all Like the films or a west end musical.
More a real play. Quite serious.

[SockEatingMonster]

That's a good point madeye, the only 'adult' theatre she's seen are musicals and Matthew Bourne dance type performances. She's seen straight 'plays' at our local theatre, but they've always been geared towards children/family audiences. Perhaps we do need to wait?

[losingthemind]

I'd say better seats first half, because by Part 2 you're fully immersed in the story, therefore less focus on the inferior seating/position. It worked for us. I did it by accident , as when I booked Part 1, I thought I was booking both parts - technical error on my part! Having blown all my budget on Part 1, cheap seats it had to be for Part 2 !

[SockEatingMonster]

That sounds like the kind of thing I'd do

[losingthemind]

With regards to age, my daughter is quite a mature 10, thoroughly enjoyed it, and even guessed some of the plot, so fully absorbed the story. I think any younger, she would have struggled with the intensity of two full-length plays in one day.

[theredjellybean]

We went but with older teens, sat in about 45 pound seats... Very high, very cramped, beware it is exceedingly steep in the gods and top balcony.
I am pretty robust but had to go down steps to our row on my bottom.
Several people refused point blank to try and stood at the back.
That said it is amazing show

[SockEatingMonster]

Hmmm, maybe it would be wise to wait then whilst squirrelling away money for front row seats

[SoTotallyOverThis]

I do think that the older you are the more you will get out of it. Mine were fine and I really really wanted to go and had the chance for good seats so went for it! But it is as the op said quite serious in parts

[Deannaamy]

Look into the friday forty! I've gotten tickets and the seats are amazing

[usuallydormant]

If you're not tied to dates, try the Friday Forty lottery: at 1pm I think every Friday they release 40 seats via the official website for the following week's performance. Took me 4 or 5 gos but we got really great seats - 40 pounds each for both parts.

DS was 9 and absolutely loved it: we did both parts in the same day.

[SockEatingMonster]

I would LOVE Friday Forty tickets! You're the first person I've ever come across who's been lucky enough to get them though

A new plan is starting to form now. I am wondering if I should go and see it now cheaply (either by taking reluctant DH and making do with the cheap seats, or possibly by going by myself), then taking DD in a couple years and doing it properly with better seats.

[SockEatingMonster]

Cross posted again, 2 people who've been lucky with the Friday Forty. I've had my alarm set since Christmas, but have only managed twice so far (no luck, obviously!) I had thought it was nearly impossible to get them that way, but will keep on trying!

[MrsRolly]

I took my DD for her tenth birthday. We had seats in the grand circle which were £50 each neither of us are super tall so we had restricted leg room but it wasn't an issue and we were front row of the grand circle so a brilliant view.

The plot is a little woolly in places but the show itself is amazing, worth every penny in the end!