To think the price of tickets for theatre are insane

[Chopbob]

I was looking to booking Beauty and the beast on stage in Manchester for my dd birthday, but omg-how expensive!!!!!
Whilst they offer a very small number of tickets for £20 each (a tiny number, all restricted views) the tickets start around £40 each and go up to £100. For a children's show. In Manchester.
A family of 4 would be looking at £160-£400 for one, single kids show.
AIBU to think this is completely insane? Or am I completely out of touch?

My DC (now adults) have never been to anything other than regional theatre for this reason. It always seemed madness to spend the price of a holiday on an evening out.

However over this Covid period there're been some good last minute deals for London theatre that I've taken advantage of and I have to say the quality is way ahead of anything we saw when DC were young, even though in theory they're the same shows.

[quote throughtheair]@DdraidGoch but theatres don't buy shows wholesale and then sell them on like a shop. The theatre is a venue hosting the production, independent to the production company. As I said before theatres have to be transparent that their booking fee is separate, it cannot be rolled into one ticket price. [/quote]
Why can't they advertise a price "£25, including £2.25 booking fee"?

I like going to restaurants on the continent, if you are watching your spending when ordering you just look at what price is advertised. You don't have to account for a tip too because service is included in the cost - they pay their waiting staff properly rather than relying on the generosity of diners.

What gets me is people treat it like the cinema, phones out, getting drunk, talking through etc.
I didn't realise that sort of thing was acceptable in the cinema either.

If there are any ushers on this thread, please be strict. I've had a few too many concerts with discourteous patrons who can't shut up or put their phone away.

@EsmaCannonball

A handful of years ago I could get cheap-seat tickets for a prestigious theatre for less than £20. Now those same tickets are at least £40 - £60. Theatres bang on about diversity and inclusion and rather patronisingly imagine that there's something off-putting about the atmosphere of a theatre or the content of their productions that is putting certain groups off going. They don't seem to consider that there are people who would love to go to the theatre but who are being out-priced from buying a ticket, especially when things like travel to and from the theatre are factored in. Diversity and inclusion need to be both more imaginative and practical. How about having productions that end at a time when public transport is still running, laying on free coaches from deprived areas, or putting on easy to stage productions in areas that don't have traditional venues? It really feels like so many things are becoming completely colonised by the well-off.

Excellent post

@DdraigGoch

What gets me is people treat it like the cinema, phones out, getting drunk, talking through etc. I didn't realise that sort of thing was acceptable in the cinema either.

If there are any ushers on this thread, please be strict. I've had a few too many concerts with discourteous patrons who can't shut up or put their phone away.

I'm an usher. Maybe I'm lucky where I "work" because this has never been an issue. However we will of course intervene if people are behaving in a manner that spoils it for other patrons, including involving security if necessary.

And while we're on the subject, volunteering as an usher has enabled me to see many shows, including West End touring musicals, for free. If you are someone who would like to support the industry and get the perks of seeing shows for free, it's definitely worth looking to see if your local theatre has opportunities like that.

@Mistyplanet

Id recommend a circus performance instead. Kids happy and entertained- tickets about £20 each so I didnt feel ripped off, didnt have to show my vaccine status to get in... best part was at the end- 5 men on motorbikes riding around upside down inside a cage!

"5 men on motorbikes riding around upside down inside a cage".

Not exactly Shakespeare, is it?

While there's certainly nothing wrong with taking kids to other venues such as circuses, and it's great that they were happy and entertained, you really can't argue that it's a substitute for live theatre.

I'm looking at going to see The Lion King also in Manchester. What seats are best to book? The kids package is it worth it if anyone can advise I would be grateful please!!

I don;t think the extras on the kids package are worth it in itself unless the access to the Ambassador Lounge will be useful for you eg ig you have ND children who need a quieter area.

I'd go for the slightly cheaper seats in the dress circle rather than those.

For the lion king - stalls if you can get an aisle seat.

Thank you for the tips. So happy I just checked again for the Christmas week and manged to book 2 stalls tickets last 2 seats for me and my lovely nan.

DH and I went to our local theatre this week, it cost us £35 each for seats in the grand circle to see an excellent touring production (DH complained it was expensive, we took our 3DC to see Demon Dentist for just £70). We took the kids to see the Opening match of the Euros in the summer, tickets were £40 for adults, £20 for children. DD and I are going to see the Artic Monkeys at our local stadium next summer, for £53 each. I don't think the theatre is that expensive in comparison to other cultural events. And it's therefore the thing i do most.

£40 is very reasonable

We often end up paying £60-£80 when we ever go to see a show

Yeah the theatre can be expensive. I love going, and do fortunately go quite often. On today TIX you can get rush tickets which are generally under £25. Not always great seats. I’ve sometimes had cheap seats and I’ve always been able to see. Best prices are during London Theatre week which is in August! I always book a couple then, and a friend has some friend who gets reduced tickets, they are generally the second top price but for around £40-50. Been to quite a few this year using them. I always go to local amateur dramatics theatre shows. Obviously not on par with West End but we enjoy them