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[siddhesh]

What’s the standard advice for arrival time? Enough time to collect tickets, use facilities, find seats without rushing?

[rohit]

If you need to collect your tix then I think 30 minutes prior should be okay

[Suzzannah]

Generally, most London theatres open their doors about 45 to 60 minutes before the performance starts. This is your golden window to get settled without feeling rushed. I always aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain up. Here’s why I choose to arrive early

Ticket Collection: If you’re collecting tickets from the box office, this gives you ample time to queue and pick them up without any last-minute panic. Even if you have e-tickets, it’s good to have that buffer.
Facilities: You’ll want to use the cloakroom (if you have a bag that needs checking, as we discussed before!) and, of course, the facilities. Theatre loos can get notoriously busy just before the show starts, so getting in early saves you from a frantic dash.
Finding your seat: London theatres are beautiful, but some can be a bit of a maze! Giving yourself time to find your seat, especially if you’re in the upper circles or a less common area, means you can relax and soak in the atmosphere.
Programme and drinks: If you fancy a programme to read up on the cast or a pre-show drink, arriving early means you can do so leisurely. The bars can get very crowded closer to showtime.

If you’re just walking in with your e-ticket and no bags, you could probably get away with 15-20 minutes, but I personally find that a bit too close for comfort.

• This reply was modified 4 weeks, 1 day ago by user.

[user]

I’ve found arriving 30 minutes before turned out ideal. You get plenty of time to breeze through ticket checks, grab a programme, visit the loo, and sip a pre-show drink. Theatres tend to open around 45–60 minutes ahead, so if you want time to soak in the ambiance and avoid rushing, that’s your sweet spot. 15 minutes in? You’ll likely miss out on the full experience, especially if you’re collecting physical tickets or using a cloakroom.

[Author]

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