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 (23rd Feb), Ghost on Tour at the Wales
Millennium Centre (20th April) and Rent in Concert at St David’s
Hall (29th 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:-
- Rock of Ages – Garrick (opens 18th Jan)
- A Chorus Line – Palladium (previews – 2nd Feb; opens – 19th Feb)
- The Book of Mormon – Prince of Wales Theatre (previews – 25th Feb ; opens – 21st March)
- Singing in the Rain – Palace Theatre
- Once – Phoenix Theatre (from 16th 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:-
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.
