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Original poster

Hamilton - give me your best tips please!

24 replies

justasoul · 07/03/2022 00:41

DD’s obsessed with Hamilton and for her birthday she has asked us to take her to London to watch the musical live. Can the MN collective give me their best tips please? Are the premium seat worth it, or is this one of those theatres that all seats are good? Is there any chance of getting cheaper tickets other than the lottery? Anything I need to be aware of?
Please and thank you very much Smile

OP posts:
ChuckBerrysBoots · 07/03/2022 01:13

We had seats in grand circle, row D in the 20s - not the most expensive and an excellent view.

Original poster
justasoul · 07/03/2022 06:56

Thank you, @ChuckBerrysBoots - she’d suggested the circle herself after looking at the ticket prices Grin. We want it to be a great experience but at the same time a weekend in London will be quite a bit of money, so if we could save a little bit on tickets we could spend it on something else if it makes sense. Smile

OP posts:
PoloMintPatty · 07/03/2022 07:08

I am watching this thread, Thanks for asking this OP!

I'm waiting for tickets to go on sale for later in the year for exactly the same reason! I love the idea of the lottery but need to make sure we have tickets to justify the trip Grin

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Theatre
Newnormal99 · 07/03/2022 07:11

Join the families who love theatre Fb group.

It's great for advice on getting tickets and also which seats. People have a wealth of knowledge on which 'restricted' ones are actually not that restricted and are great value for money

Also look at seatplan for photos from seats.

Newnormal99 · 07/03/2022 07:13

Also look at places like Travelodge premier inn. We stayed at the one at waterloo - it didn't have the central London prices but is only a short distance on the bus into central London.

ForcingSmiles · 07/03/2022 07:27

Have a look at TodayTix, they usually have offers on (at the moment its just the lottery but i'd keep checking it)

This is a really good website seatplan.com/london/victoria-palace-theatre/seating-plan/ and you see photos from different seats in the theatre.

In all honesty though, the best way to get cheap theatre tickets...is to go midweek, 95% of the time you'll get cheaper and better seats on a Wednesday/Thursday than you ever will on a Saturday, but i don't know if that would be an option for you

Lilboots · 07/03/2022 08:04

I've sat in the £37.50 seats twice and they were great! Really great view of the stage and I didn't feel like I missed anything. Enjoy!

KatieKat88 · 07/03/2022 08:07

Anything will be amazing. Can't wait to go again (and I've been twice!)

Notagoodnight · 07/03/2022 08:24

They are fantastic with special needs, do tell them before you book. I think there is a special telephone number from memory.

Bearfrills · 07/03/2022 08:48

I'm going in two weeks with two of my DC so will report back OP.

They are great with additional needs. The theatre has a great social story on their website and there is a quiet room at the theatre with a live stream of the show if you have to leave the auditorium for a break. I rang them to check if the seats I was looking at were near-ish an exit because I don't know how DS will react and might need to leave, they were row end but no indication of where the door is. The guy on the phone was all "those seats are no good, they're in the loudest and busiest section, let me sort this out for you". He's put us in a box, with a butler and it's own entrance/exit, for the same price as the seats I was originally looking at. He's also told me if there's a queue when we arrive then to make ourselves known to staff and we can be moved to the front. I was really impressed.

My job at the minute is trying to find somewhere nice to eat near the theatre that won't be heaving.

Dembones292 · 07/03/2022 09:09

Kensington premier inn is worth a look for accommodation. Great location, nice and quiet and they do some good offers too.

Original poster
justasoul · 07/03/2022 09:51

Thank you everyone Smile

I did look into going midweek just for the show and coming back straight after but the last train home is only 30-ish minutes after the show from Paddington so probably doable but just about. Driving would have the opposite problem as I’d probably hit London at peak rush hour. Driving to somewhere like Slough and taking the train from there might be possible, but I think it might feel a bit too rushed and not that special? Half term is possibility too, need to check dates for that and jubilee celebrations.

I will have a look into the hotels and the FB group, thanks for the tips! I will report back with any findings Smile

OP posts:
yougotmehelpless · 24/03/2022 14:25

Slightly resurrecting this thread, I’m going to see Hamilton in a couple of weeks. Ended up booking a Thursday matinee for cheaper tickets. I’ve always been able to source cheap tickets on really good offers for every other show but Hamilton seems exempt from all the deals I usually see.

I second using seatplan for choosing seats in theatres.

Has anybody seen Hamilton in London recently? I’ve watched it on Disney+ a few times and love the soundtrack, just a little worried that the west end cast aren’t going to live up to the original.

Purpleavocado · 24/03/2022 14:29

We saw it a few months ago - we had seats in the front row of the royal circle. It was amazing, even DH loved it. We're going to take his niece for her 18th as a surprise as she's obsessed. The cast are all great!

rooinspace · 24/03/2022 14:37

We saw it before Covid and loved it! I would recommend listening to some of the songs in advance if you’re not familiar with the songs/rap music. I found it tough to “tune in” to rap style at the start - but I don’t really listen to that style of music often

LabraDabraDoo · 24/03/2022 14:37

@Bearfrills

I'm going in two weeks with two of my DC so will report back OP.

They are great with additional needs. The theatre has a great social story on their website and there is a quiet room at the theatre with a live stream of the show if you have to leave the auditorium for a break. I rang them to check if the seats I was looking at were near-ish an exit because I don't know how DS will react and might need to leave, they were row end but no indication of where the door is. The guy on the phone was all "those seats are no good, they're in the loudest and busiest section, let me sort this out for you". He's put us in a box, with a butler and it's own entrance/exit, for the same price as the seats I was originally looking at. He's also told me if there's a queue when we arrive then to make ourselves known to staff and we can be moved to the front. I was really impressed.

My job at the minute is trying to find somewhere nice to eat near the theatre that won't be heaving.

That is great to hear BearFrills I’d like to take my son, but he’d need a quieter spot. It is quite heaving in places.

I took my daughter for her 13th birthday and we both loved it. We ate at the Giraffe just around the corner. It’s a tiny branch so won’t feel busy even if it’s full. We sat by the window, away from the main tables.

RogueBorg · 24/03/2022 14:40

@yougotmehelpless you won’t be disappointed! It’s absolutely ELECTRIC seeing it live!!!

Enjoy!!!!

Bearfrills · 24/03/2022 17:34

We went last weekend and it was AMAZING.... for an hour then a cast member was injured and the show had to stop.

Sigh.

On the plus side, they've given us free tickets to go back again in May and what we did see of the show was fantastic. The atmosphere in the theatre was great, that theatre staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful, and the other guests were all chatty and sociable.

Drinks in the theatre are quiet cheap considering. I paid £13 and some pence for two cans of Dash, a vodka lemonade, and a diet coke which isn't too bad. Merchandise is a bit more expensive but nice quality and the DC were happy with it, a programme was £4, souvenir photobook £10, and tshirts were around £28 each but do check sizes first as they're on the small side.

When we go back in May we're going to go to the Market Halls for something to eat.

Original poster
justasoul · 05/05/2022 13:16

Has anyone won the ticket lottery? Just wondering where the tickets are Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
justasoul · 16/06/2022 18:12

Just coming back to give our feedback of the experience Smile

We all loved it. Amazing stuff -! We sat at the very back row, on DD's insistence - she wanted to sit near a friend who was also going. I wouldn't have picked those seats myself, but they were ok, apart from the fact that you couldn't really see the faces of the actors on the platform. It didn't spoil it too much for me though. Merch was slightly more expensive than others we've recently been to, but the last couple of time we went was in Cardiff so might account for the price difference maybe? However I left to buy stuff at the end and was guided out of the theatre without actually passing a merch stall. They do sell the same items online, and I bought a few things for DD as a birthday treat - the £30 book is absolutely beautiful. Shipping is pricey though, so if you have the chance, buying at the theatre is better. I spent too much time at the bar queue at the interval, then later discovered you could click and collect - not sure if you need to preorder before the show though, worth a look if you know you're having a drink and don't fancy queueing.

We went on the Jubilee weekend and ended up staying outside London, which feels like a wise decision judging by the traffic. It was all booked relatively last minute though, so next time we will try to travel by train and stay in London.

Definitely one to watch again, would love to sit nearer the stage next time Smile

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 16/06/2022 18:15

Glad you had a great time!!

Fwiw, next time, try and get the cheap box. They’re the same price as the cheaper tickets but the seats aren’t fixed so you can move around a bit, much more comfortable than the fixed seats which I found tiny.

The view is (as expected) to the side and a bit above their heads but basically still good

KittyMcKitty · 16/06/2022 18:16

We sat in the middle of the front row of the upper circle - it’s high up but view was great. Agree Seatplan is the best thing to look at - we use it for all theatre shows.

The Grand Circle - middle, mid way back is my fave overall position in most theatres (balancing cost with view).

OperationRinka · 16/06/2022 19:07

I'd second the cheapest box seats. Much more space, room to fidget if necessary without feeling guilty, and a very good view for the price.

Emmelina · 16/06/2022 19:09

Use seatplan.com and have a click around to see what works best for you both!

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