Going to see a film is great, but seeing a story evolve right in front of yours eyes, on stage, is a whole different experience. The theatre is simply magical. Whether you go for the intense monologues of Hamlet, or the upbeat bops in Mamma Mia, theatre escapism is something everyone should experience. That being said, many theatre tickets can be extremely expensive, making it hard for students to be able to go. So, here are a few tips on how to find cheaper tickets.
Be Quick
Many shows on tour will sell out quickly. So, if there is a show coming to your city, figure out when tickets go on sale and be ready. Doing this gives you a better chance of getting tickets on the lower end of the price spectrum. Many seats near the back of theatres are cheaper, some even just £13. And the view is still great!
If you are worried, or even just curious, about what the view from your seat will be, maybe check out SeatPlan. You put in your theatre and your seat and they show you pictures the general public have taken from those seats, showing what they could see. This also helps to prove there will be no rouge posts in your way.
Either way, it’s better to be sat at the back of the theatre than on your couch at home.
Student Benefits
Many theatres understand that students may not be able to afford tickets at their original price. Which is why some provide a student discount. It is worth looking at the webistes’ FAQ’s or discount section on the website where you get your theatre tickets.
For example, ATG Tickets provide a student discount, with a valid Student ID. The Lowry also have an ‘under 26’ scheme that offers £5, £10 and sometimes free tickets to those eligable, throughout the year.
Box Office
If a show isn’t selling well, or just has spare tickets left over, they will sometimes keep them behind at the box office. It is really worth going to the box office on the day of the performance, or a few days before and seeing waht tickets they have left. These tickets are usually at a discounted or cheap price as the company would rather sell cheap than have tickets left over.
Midweek Shows
Shows during the week or in the middle of the day are usually less packed out, as the general public are at work. But, if your student schedule allows for it, you could look for some cheaper midweek tickets. If the theatre has spare seats once the show has started, you could even move up a row or two.