AIBU to ask you all the boycot Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical

[vestandknickers]

Until the prices come down enough for me to take my family?

I'd love to take my children. They'd adore it, but even the tickets up on the roof behind a pillar are £25 a pop and if we actually wanted to be able to see anything on the stage we'd have to pay about £50 each. As a family of five, that's the sort of money we normally budget for a few nights away and I just can't justify it.

So, if you could all please not buy tickets so that the ticket office would panic and reduce their prices I'd be much obliged.

Thanks in advance.

That's a whole big area to "not approve of"

So does he not approve of the RSC either as that's what Matilda is (an RSC production)

I've seen some wonderful fringe stuff - but some absolute rubbish too

Matilda truly is amazing. The best thing I have ever seen in the West End and I have seen a lot.... it made me laugh out loud and also cry several times over throughout! Mind you, I start crying as soon as the priest gives Valjean the candlesticks in Les Mis........

raisah - that's what we do, ask for "money for towards a ticket to the theatre" for Christmas and birthdays - it was PiLs Christmas present money that enabled us to go and see Lion King recently, and dd1 is going to see War Horse for her birthday present. Mind, we still go for what the theatre calls 'restricted view' seats - we've never not been able to see anything, I I can usually see 3 shows for the price of 1 in the 'top quality' seats
Thanks for the link to accommodation - will be following that up.

Dd couldn't quite summon up the nerve to ask him, Pictures.

But the thought did occur.

Cory...maybe he has auditioned for West end stuff and been rejected.
I have known people like that

The West End is ridiculous. When I first started going, maybe 10 years ago, top tickets were 40-50 quid. Top tickets are now £90! Thats a huge increase, especially in the economic times we're going through.

It is so frustrating, as another poster has pointed out, that a small boycott just wont do anything as tourists are always happy to pay. I will admit to paying $140 (it was a present actually, and the exchange rate was 2:1 at that point) for Rent on broadway. When am I next going to be in NY? It was in its last ever run as well.

Matilda is cheaper, party because its RSC and partly I think because its an older theatre so its smaller, more cramped and not raked. We were close to the stage but if you're behind a tall person, you're buggered. My visit was spoiled by this.

In the morer modern theatres (Lion King, Wicked) you shouldnt need to sit as close to the stage (and therefore pay as much) as almost all the seats are good seats. You will save a little by sitting on the far sides. They are technically 'restricted' but not to the point that it will spoil the show.

But, I am a bit of a seat snob. If I had to sit in the gods I'd rather not go. I agree with the posters who say save up. The experience, even just once or twice, is worth it. Just. Also agree with the posters who say go to the fring theatres - most big west end shows tour eventually.

Theatre Monkey is a great site to check out the best seats in all London theatres.

Thanks all. I'm determined now to see Matilda and think I will ask for contributions for Christmas. My three are the perfect age for it and it could be an experience that will live with them forever. I'll check out Theatre Monkey so thanks for that Mrs B.

Vest, I went to see it with my children this w/end and it was absolutely terrific. I forked out a lot and do not regret it at all. It reminded me of how magic a live performance really is.

kids week is fab...actually goes on all August.
You have to get in early.

Dh has just booked Book of Mormon for a couple of weeks time.....really looking forwrd to it.

YABU. Actors, sets, costumes, prop staff have to be paid for. Where else would all that come from except through tickets. I do agree though, that they should set ticket prices at a point where they will make more money through volume sold then expecting that the masses will want to cough up a small fortune. However, for all I know, perhaps that is the price point. £200 for four is not a huge sum these days.

They are offering seats from £27.90 - trouble is finding a performance with any available

You speak for yourself Mimi - that's a whopping great hole in our budget

I really like the theatre, and try to go about 4 or 5 times a year. Generally I go at the beginning of the week, and, 9 times out of 10, the theatre is 1/4 full or less. I'd have thought everybody would gain by the prices being more realistic - more people get to love theatre, and the cast get to play to a full house. I know this is a bit of a tangent as something like Matilda probably does manage to sell it's tickets, but it applies to most of the shows I go to. (Not in London)