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Culture vultures

Get tips on theatre and art from other Mumsnetters on our Culture forum.

Original poster

how to find cheap tickets for Phantom of the Opera?

28 replies

triplets · 08/02/2006 22:13

Hi,
Calling all you culture vultures! My trio are absolutly besotted with this musical, play the cd endlessly and have watched the dvd several times. I would love to take them to London to see it on stage, has anyone been, where are the best seats for little ones, never been to a big London theatre so wouldn`t know the best place to sit. Does anyone know how to get cheap tickets, could do a matinee on a Sat/Sun, 5 tickets needed, have had a look at a few sites but prices of £45 and more out of my pocket! Thanks.

OP posts:
sharklet · 09/02/2006 18:32

Hi Triplets.

The only was to get the cheapest tickets is to go in person to the theatre and book your tickets in advance paying in cash. There aren't generally special offers on shows like Phantom, I have to say I worked in ticketing for about 8 years and in all that time there was never an offer.

The reason is its such a popular show they just don't need to reduce thier prices. Its almost always full, especially on weekends and thurs friday there is always a queue for returns even.

The reason its cheapest to go in person to the theatre is that as its so popular they also have no reason to drop the price for agencies to buy stock, therefore the agencies will add on a bigger booking fee. The only way to escape booking fees is to go direct tot he box office. For phantom even if you call the box office direct you will actually be speaking to a booking agency that the theatre pays to take its calls.

The cheapest tickets will be those in the gallery (3nd balcony) not very good view and really high - but if your desperate to see it then those would be your cheapest option. The cheapest ones are 17.50 per ticket face value although many of them will be classified as restricted view.

If you want tickets on the day then you can join the returns queue. Returns are tickets that agenices have been allocated but not sold, or tickets that have been allocated to the producer for his use but are not required. They are sold at face value (the acutal price of the seat) and not at a reduced rate, however often this is the only way to get tickets on the day. You will need to be prepared to wait for a couple of hours on a busy day in the cold outside. Thats why people often just bite the bullet and pay the booking fee.

The only way to get cheap tickets is to know someone in the cast and try to get some complimentary ones.

Good luck with it, but honestly having seen the show countless times (I used to work on it) your better off enjoying the music and buying the DVD - it would be a lot cheaper!

Hope that helps

sharklet · 09/02/2006 18:33

I forgot to add returns will almost always be top and seconf price tickets - not the cheap ones!

Original poster
triplets · 09/02/2006 21:18

Hi Sharklet,
Well thanks for the info, there is no way I can go to London to queue for tickets. Its such a shame isn`t it that for the ordinary family its too expensive. They woud so love to go, to experience the atmosphere of the theatre. We have taken them to the local one in Canterbury three times, they always enjoy it, not pantos though, we are not fans! Well I wil keep my eyes open, need a lottery win!

OP posts:
sharklet · 10/02/2006 11:14

Just so you know - phantom is a bit of an exception - if you had asked about another show I am sure there would be ways of getting special offers and cheap tickets. So don't be put off the west end.

Kids week in the summer is a great time to go as they have cheap tickets and often special perfomances and activites too, like meeting the cast or workshops etc.

RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 11:24

WE WENT TO SEE PHANTOM LAST SATURDAY

AND SAT IN THE STALLS FOR £25 EACH TICKET

HALF PRICE

IT WAS DEFFO BRILL

SO 3 OF US FOR £75 IN TOTAL

DEFFO GO FOR IT

WE RANG UP FOR KENS HALF PRICE TICKETS SALE

WILL GET THE DETAILS

RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 11:26

sorry had caps lock on

and I can't touch type so was looking at keyboard not screen

RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 11:31

here is the site

here is the link for tickets

NO booking fee either

Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 15:00

Oooooooooooo! I have just looked and there are seats for £25 in the royal circle, will they be reasonable seats, good viewing ?

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 15:04

you have tro watch out for the pillars though

phone up and ask I will getr the info and be back in a mo

what number and row are they and will look them upn for you

RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 15:05

you vcan email me

rtkangamummy at yahoo dot co dot uk

RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 15:12

please email me andI will be able to pass on the info of the best seats and which ones to avoid

Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 15:16

Hi,
Just tried to phone, office closed until tomorrow! Does that seem a good price?

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 16:03

Yes I have emailed you the info

hope it makes sense

there is an awful lot of it

Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 17:00

Hi,
Havent recd the info, only to say you couldn`t cut and paste.

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 17:08

SENT IT AGAIN AS ATTACHMENT

Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 17:14

Hi Kanga,
Sorry to be such a pain, its not come thru yet, will give it a while, where did you sit?

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 17:15

In the stalls N123

next to a pillar

have just sent it again

but it is quite long

Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 17:19

oh no, just checked site again and now saying none available!

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 17:20

oh noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I am so sorry that I have delayed you

Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 17:26

Not your fauly, will keep trying, just found a seating plan, the royal circle looked ok, still not rec`d your mail. Thanks anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 17:42

Hi Kangamummy,#
Harry is worried that the 5 seats wouldn`t be together, how could I find out?

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 17:46

hello

My advice would be phone up

RTKangaMummy · 10/02/2006 17:51

here is the original thread

Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 17:54

Not open, lines closed, have e-mailed, thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
triplets · 10/02/2006 17:54

Not open, lines closed, have e-mailed, thanks.

OP posts: