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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

London Theatre £££££

57 replies

VideographybyLouBloom · 12/02/2020 10:13

When did West End theatre become so expensive? I've been looking at tickets for Sunday in the Park with George and half way decent seats are £200-£300 each! I understand that it's a limited run and also has the added attraction of Jake Gyllenhaal as a big star but those prices are insane (I went to see him in This is Our Youth 18 years ago and I'm sure tickets were about £30-£40!)

My mum has always said it's not worth going if you're seated in the dress circle but is this really the case? Circle tickets are a bit more realistic at £50ish

Admittedly DH and I haven't been to the theatre in about 10 years (pre DC) so I'm probably super out of the loop of what patrons are willing to pay.

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youngestisapsycho · 12/02/2020 10:16

I think it's extortionate what some of them charge! I always thought maybe it's the ones with elaborate sets, huge casts and lots of costumes etc... but i looked up to see something once, can't remember what exactly, but it was cast of 3 and one set, and the stalls tickets were still £169!!

GinDaddy · 12/02/2020 10:20

You've already answered your question - the dress circle, or upper tiers of the theatre, are where you need to be based on your budget.

Theatre with a Hollywood star or a big set of reviews and hype (Hamilton etc) has always been about supply and demand, and they hike the prices knowing that a hot ticket will get bought for that money.

tutorwho · 12/02/2020 10:27

There could be cheap tickets on TodayTix

DazedandConcerned · 12/02/2020 10:47

I paid £100 each for second row Cyrano de Bergerac with James McAvoy in January. Contrasted against £17.50 per seat for Woman in Black.

Got both from LSBO.

ChelseaGirly · 12/02/2020 10:55

I suppose if you're just paying for one ticket for yourself it's more affordable than four or five tickets for a family. We went to one of the big musicals a couple of years ago because I felt guilty that my kids have never seen that kind of show. We spent over £250 on four tickets and they were so far away and so high up – it was really disappointing. It certainly wasn't worth the money considering the amount of pleasure it gave us.

CameFromAway · 12/02/2020 10:56

Your mum is a snob!

Of course it's worth going if you're in the Dress Circle. And the Upper Circle, and the Balconies. Modern theatres are well-designed and the view is excellent from everywhere. In the older ones yes, it's wise to check sight-lines but you can still see.

The atmosphere and the experience of live performance can't be beaten. It's a brilliant experience.

The trick is to plan ahead the minute tickets are available for the specific show OR to turn up at the TKTS and be flexible about what you want to see. Planning ahead, I've seen Hamilton for £37.50. Last minute I saw Miss Saigon for £24.

CameFromAway · 12/02/2020 10:57

@DazedandConcerned - how was Cyrano? I love JM and I love the play, I was so tempted but had blown my budget on a 3-show weekend last month.

Blackandgreenteas · 12/02/2020 10:58

Of course it’s worth going! Just saw Cyrano de Bergerac from the upper circle and it was still really good!

A lot of people prefer dress circle to stalls, and I wouldn’t necessarily think of the stalls as better, especially the back.

Blackandgreenteas · 12/02/2020 11:00

CameFromAway it was amazing. I would totally recommend it. There were a few sightline problems in the upper circle and leg room was a bit restricted. I’m 5’6” so that was fine for me but my friend I went with is 5’10” and also said she was perfectly comfortable.

Original poster
VideographybyLouBloom · 12/02/2020 11:03

Your mum is a snob!
You're not wrong there Grin.

I would be going with DH so it would be the price of two tickets. I just think its sad that the theatre has become so unaffordable. When I was young my mum took me to see absolutely everything in the West End. I've got amazing memories of all the shows we've seen together. I can't see me taking DDs to nearly as many.

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TheGreyInThisCity · 12/02/2020 11:04

That’s at the Savoy isn’t it? I haven’t been there for a couple of years but I don’t remember the dress circle being that bad, I’d check theatre monkey or similar for reviews of the seats as you might find it some that are better value for money. But yes, theatre is expensive! Prohibitively so for some people.

LIZS · 12/02/2020 11:05

You may find day tickets at the the theatre on the day, some do lotteries a week or two ahead, or check the TKTS booth in Leicester Square a day or so ahead. Sign up for London Theatre newsletters with discount offers .

InglouriousBasterd · 12/02/2020 11:07

Crazy expensive. Personally I just get dress circle / balcony seats, never got a bad view and rarely pay more than 30 quid.

CameFromAway · 12/02/2020 11:09

Friday Jun 5th, £42.50 seats in the back row for Sunday in the Park with George.

Go for it, OP.

Original poster
VideographybyLouBloom · 12/02/2020 11:10

@TheGreyInThisCity Yes, Savoy Theatre. I'll definitely have a look at the Circle seats as I don't think those prices are too unrealistic.

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Original poster
VideographybyLouBloom · 12/02/2020 11:11

@CameFromAway Oooh opening night!!

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Runningincircles · 12/02/2020 11:11

The Savoy is quite a small theatre, seats in the dress circle are great. We saw 9 to 5 from the dress circle and had a perfect view.
The grand circle is very steep, but fine once you sit down.
Today Tix will probably do rush seats for this show, as they currently do for 9 to 5. They are £25.
Go on Seat Plan or A View From My Seat, you can see pictures from various seats in the theatre.
seatplan.com/london/savoy-theatre/
aviewfrommyseat.co.uk/venue/Savoy+Theatre/

LIZS · 12/02/2020 11:11

Previews are often cheaper too.

Meruem · 12/02/2020 11:12

I saw Wicked last week with DD, matinee show but £5 each for the stalls. There are bargains to be had but you have to search around for them.

EvilEdna1 · 12/02/2020 11:12

My daughter's GCSE drama class went to see Cyrano with James McAvoy and it cost....whispers....£10.

Foslady · 12/02/2020 11:13

Today’s Tix, or on the site and Theatre Monkey. We go up every couple of years and do a blitz (going next week!!!).
Depends what you want - you can get good seats at a fair price, your mum is talking about top notch seating, plenty of good views from other seats

Cyberve · 12/02/2020 11:17

Are you looking on viagogo by any chance?

People resell tickets on there for a hell of a lot more than they bought them for. I've seen tickets that cost £30 go for over £300 on there.

Original poster
VideographybyLouBloom · 12/02/2020 11:17

Welll you've all convinced me! Now I just need to convince DH - he's not a fan of musical theatre (and obviously not half as much a fan of JG as I am!)

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InOtterNews · 12/02/2020 11:24

YANBU in terms of ticket prices, however, YABU at not looking at other seats. Whichever ticket price you go with the seats are so uncomfortable. Most theatres aren't that big - so unless you buy restricted view seats in the circle are decent

I saw Hamilton for £40 in the upper circle. The view was fine - seat comfort was not.

Emmelina · 12/02/2020 11:25

Some of them are hideously expensive! Looked at tickets for Cursed Child for DD’s 13th coming up later this year. For just us two with DH staying home with the others, it’s £1100 for us to see both parts in reasonable but not amazing seats.
If we all go (me,DH, 3DC) it’s close to three grand which is definitely in naice holiday territory!