can only afford the cheaper tickets to charlie n the choc factory westend show

[kandykat]

so is it even Worth bothering ?or will the seats be sooo shit

Absolutely worth bothering. We go to the theatre a lot so never sit anywhere but the cheapest seats.

People sometimes ask me how I can afford to go so often but I probably pay the same to see three or four shows as they do for their one 'well it's a special treat so we might as well do it properly' set of seats in the circle.

Do it!

I prefer to be further back so I can fully appreciate the staging which has been so carefully designed. And so I don't get a sore neck.

Only once has it been so bad as the obscure the view, which was a school trip to see whistle down the wind, and affected about five minutes of the show.

Ooh, I'd love to go. Also to Aladdin. Have a great time.

Have theatremonkey open in another tab when you book so you can check which seats offer best value for the price band and which to avoid like the plague!

We went to see it and bought tickets in the cheapest part.

It was really amazing and well worth bothering. The cheapest tickets are often perfectly good, as you are seeing the same show as people in the most expensive seats.

As a PP has said, the staging is so amazing that it was quite good to be further back.

Good enough for all the people who park their arses their night after night.

Whats the aibu though?

I'm always in the cheap seats. I wonder why it never occurred to me to book the more expensive ones

IMO it depends. If it's a £1.50 bus fare home and no babysitter, then YANBU, it's a good value night out.

If you are spending £50 on a babysitter and £100 on taxis, then YABU.

Don't bother. Go and see Matilda instead if you haven't already. It is so much better.

Well people are paying for these seats night after night and similar ones in all of the other theatres across the country, if they were getting complaints then they would change things.

I think it depends on the cost difference and how many tickets, if your tickets were the very back row up the top and it was 2 tickets and only an extra £5 for a ticket a few rows from the stage then I would pay the extra (do without refreshments etc if necessary) but if it was £50 extra a ticket then I wouldn't say it was worth it, or if you had 10 tickets at an extra £5 each etc.

I wouldn't be bothered where I was, just excited about seeing it, I would check different performances as the more popular ones will be more expensive whereas you may get a bargain on one of the quieter days/times

I wasn't that impressed by Charlie to be honest. It was an OK show but I've seen much better. If you're taking kids The Lion King rocks. If not I highly recommend Wicked (not sure about that for kids though).

The cheapest tickets are £20 on lastminute.com. I can't do hights does anyone know how high up it is?

Seatplan.com is also quite good for reviews and pics of views from seats. I don't mind the cheap seats at big shows, as you can usually see most of the action. You could even invest in your own little theatre binoculars in case they don't have them.

What is the AIBU question?

Of course it's worth going (if it's a show you want to see).
I always buy the cheapest seats in the house - that way I get to see about 4 shows the the price of one show sitting in the posh seats.
5 times out of 6 I can move forward into better seats anyway, but for those shows where it's sold out, you can still see and hear everything.

Thanks for replying
Well i personally fancy wicked my 8year old dd woikd be fine with that
But Charlie has been her fav book

No great expense really getting there but will eat out too

Will take your afvice and book sonething up then

DD and I saw Wicked recently, from the cheap seats. Really enjoyed it, and intend to go back and sit nearer to front next time.
Sat in front row at Charlie (went with a group, so cheap tickets) and that was good because the stage is low down - seats at end of front row have limited legroom so are lower price.

Anyone seenBend it like Beckham?

Charlie's not that good tbh. My 8 year old LOVES the theatre and even she got bored. Definitely go and see Matilda!

I sat just a few rows from the stage when I saw Wicked but wished I'd been further back. We could see the seams on the green body suit she was wearing & it spoilt it a bit for me! Every other time I've been I've sat further back & been more entranced because I couldn't see all the little details!

EachandEveryone
I saw Bend It Like Beckham last Saturday night-loved it. Really fun, feel good musical but with some poignant parts too. What age/s are you thinking of taking?

KandyKat
How about trying Kidsweek to see if they have any Charlie tix left? (Assuming you can go in August of course) That way you can buy a better (ie more expensive!) seat and your DD would go free-worth a punt?

I have had a few cheap tickets lately and they have been fine ie very back row balcany The Play that Goes Wrong for £10, Restricted view 39 steps £12 , Beautiful £25 tickets.

FWIW my DD 17 loves the theatre and goes a lot (for a 17 year old) and the only show she hasnt liked is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, she loves Matilda though.

They are 11, 13, 14. Coming down to stay with me. I'm actually tempted to to Wonderworld at the south bank to watch some acrobats instead. It's me that can't do too high up.

Cheap seats fine, Charlie and the chocolate factory is not. Saw it a few weeks ago with dd, try Wicked or the Lion King instead both are great

Loved Charlie, the oompa loompas are great.Matilda is fab too but not as colourful as Charlie.