Shows to be Seen in Twenty Thirteen (and how to get affordable tickets)

It’s time to emerge from the Christmas cocoon, blink in the cold light of normality and get back to reality.

As 2013 begins, my wall planner from ‘The Stage’ paper goes up with lots of fresh, blank spaces yet to be filled. So my question to start the year off with is – what to see?

I have a couple of shows lined up already – Woman in Black at Swansea Grand Theatre (23^rd Feb), Ghost on Tour at the Wales Millennium Centre (20^th April) and Rent in Concert at St David’s Hall (29^th April).

As of yet, no West End shows.

There are quite a few shows I’m particularly keen to see though. Here are the top 5 that I hope to be able to tick off the list:-

1.  Rock of Ages – Garrick (opens 18^th Jan)
2.  A Chorus Line – Palladium (previews – 2^nd Feb; opens – 19^th Feb)
3. The Book of Mormon – Prince of Wales Theatre (previews – 25^th Feb ; opens – 21^st March)
4. Singing in the Rain – Palace Theatre
5. Once – Phoenix Theatre (from 16^th March)

Usually, my first trip to London is at the beginning of February to coincide with my birthday and usually I’d have this readily booked by now. However, I can’t help but notice the soaring cost of everything (particularly the recent rail fare inflation) while wages are going nowhere... except maybe down.

This, therefore, could be the year of going to London without pre-booking shows and, instead, getting tickets on the day. It can be risky business but I have actually discovered some shows this way that I may not have otherwise have seen; Shows that I’ve fallen in love with, like Lord of the Rings and Ghost. So, if you’re considering this method be open minded!

The way I usually get my last minute tickets is from the TKTs booth in Leicester square where you can purchase top price tickets for half price! So if you’re willing, this is an excellent way to save. Please only use this booth though. There are many unofficial ones set up by ticket touts all around London and you never know whether you’re being swindled from these – AVOID.

The other method is dayseating which has been recommended for me to try. I’ve never dayseated before so I wasn’t sure how to go about this but twitterer @steffi_g tells me if you turn up at the theatre’s box office at about 9.30am (earlier on a Saturday) there are usually tickets kept aside for this reason – this is a good method if there’s a particular show you want to see but haven’t booked in advance.

Another option is to use websites that do great offers and cheap tickets. I put the feelers out for some good ones on twitter earlier and fellow bloggers @steffi_g and @justsamssister came up with the following trustworthy, reliable websites:-

http://bargaintheatreland.com/

http://londonstagetickets.entstix.com/offers

http://www.lastminutetheatretickets.com/

http://www.londontheatredirect.com/

This way you have more control over what show to see as you’re not relying on what’s available on the day.

(Give both these lovely ladies a follow on twitter – they are avid theatre fans, full of useful information and lovely to chat with – and pay a visit to their blogs  http://confessionsofatheatregirl.wordpress.com/ and http://ignitedbyadream.wordpress.com/)

I’d love to know what shows you’re all excited for this year and if you have any recommendations of your own on how to grab some theatre bargains, please do let me know.