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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.

[user]

Getting an Uber or taxi after a West End show can be a real headache. With everyone ordering at once, surge pricing kicks in, signal drops, and drivers cancel mid-request. One savvy theatre-goer I know actually waits out front but only opens the app after the crowd has dissipated.

The safest and often quickest option? Walk a short block or two, say toward Leicester Square or Covent Garden and then order the ride. Black cabs are still a decent fallback; you’ll usually find one waiting at nearby ranks, though they’re often competing for attention, too.

[user]

I’ve booked Wicked both ways, and honestly advance booking is usually cheaper if you want good stalls or front dress circle seats. The show rarely struggles to fill, so last-minute “deals” often mean side/restricted view seats. If you’re flexible on view, TKTS or TodayTix can work, but for best value + choice, book ahead.

[user]

I was in London earlier this year and tried a mix of approaches, so here’s how it felt in 2025:

If you’re flexible with what you see, last-minute tickets are still very doable. The TKTS booth in Leicester Square had same-day seats for solid shows (think Wicked, Matilda, Mamma Mia!) at a decent discount. For the buzzy newer titles (Cabaret, MJ the Musical), you’ll want to try TodayTix rush/lottery—those go live in the morning and can be gone within minutes, but if you’re quick, you can land brilliant stalls seats for a fraction of the price.

Theatres also continue to release day seats/returns at the box office. I queued once outside the Gillian Lynne and walked away with great value seats for School of Rock.

[user]

Interesting point about the discounts. Are there particular shows or theatres where day-seat or lottery deals tend to be more generous, or is it pretty much across the board?

[user]

They’re usually more like glossy magazines than just a cast list. You’ll get bios of the actors, notes from the director, behind-the-scenes articles, and sometimes photos or historical context about the show. Price-wise, most West End programmes run £6–10, so not cheap, but nice as a keepsake if it’s a special show.

[user]

Yes! I’ve been to a few, mainly captioned and audio-described shows. Captioned performances are brilliant if you’re hard of hearing or even if English isn’t your first language. The screens are easy to follow and don’t take away from the performance. For audio-described, you’re given a headset and a live narrator fills in the visual details between dialogue.

[user]

Park near Covent Garden car parks. It’ll cost you around £10–£16 for 2 hours. Some even allow pre-booking and it’s a 15 minutes walk from Novello Theatre.

[user]

Dear Annie, I Hate You by Riverside Studios. It’s a dark comedy originated at Edinburgh Fringe that navigates the surreal embodied as “Annie,” a manifestation of the protagonist’s brain aneurysm. Poignant, immersive, and heartfelt. The tickets are around £15.

• This reply was modified 1 month ago by user.
• This reply was modified 1 month ago by user.

[user]

I would recommend Les Misérables

[user]

As a seasoned London theatre-goer, I can tell you that snagging last-minute tickets is definitely an art form, but totally doable!

For same-day sources, the TKTS booth in Leicester Square is your best friend for discounted tickets, though it’s first-come, first-served. Many theatres also release ‘day seats’ or ‘returns’ directly from their box office on the morning of the performance – this often involves queuing early, but the savings can be significant. Online, definitely check TodayTix for their daily lottery and rush tickets, which are fantastic for popular shows. Keep an eye on official theatre websites too, as they sometimes release last-minute tickets due to cancellations.

As for seat upgrades or partial-view bargains, it’s a bit more hit-and-miss. Sometimes, if a show isn’t completely sold out, you might be able to ask at the box office just before curtain-up if there are any better seats available for a small upgrade fee. Partial-view seats can be a great way to see a show for less, and often the ‘partial’ view isn’t as bad as you might think – I’ve seen some amazing performances from seats with a slightly obstructed view and still felt fully immersed. It’s all part of the London theatre adventure!

[user]

Is smart‑casual fine across most venues now, or are there gala/opening nights where more formal attire is still expected?

Any weather/comfort tips (cloakroom queues, AC drafts, balcony heat) that influence what you wear?

[user]

Which venues tend to have the friendliest/most organized stage door setups, and what etiquette do performers appreciate most?

For very popular shows, how long do you usually wait after curtain, and are certain days/times better for meeting the cast?

[user]

Which same‑day sources have you found most reliable recently (box office returns, TodayTix Rush/LOTTERY, TKTS, day seats)? What times work best?

Any strategies for seat upgrades or partial-view bargains that still feel like a great experience?

[user]

Given how limited parking is, which nearby car parks or apps (e.g., RingGo, JustPark) have worked best for you after evening shows?

For theatre-goers who still drive, are there evening flat rates or lesser-known streets that are reliably available post‑curtain?

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