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The play's the thing

Posted by (Los Angeles) on

Just back from London so sharing some experiences.

It's London so of course one has to go to the theater. Decided to see Book of Mormon, which is about the most American play you can think of. Went to the theater the day of around noon, and they said sorry the box office opens around 4:30. So after giving them first crack went to the TKTS building. Note that this building is hard to find these days, it's not only surrounded by construction fencing but there's a Christmas market built in front of it. You might need to Google map it or look for the Odeon movie theater. Beware that when you come up out of the Leicester Square tube station there's a building that has a big marquee that says DISCOUNT TICKETS. This is not the droid you seek, keep walking.

Unlike the old days in NYC where there were actual tickets in cubbyholes sent over from the theater and you paid in cash, the TKTS operation today is totally modern and efficient. There's a TV monitor on the outside that scrolls through the available plays, you get to the window, do some back and forth, make your decision, and hand over a credit card. Not at all like buying counterfeit Vuitton or something. And even though it was day of, we ended up in the fifth row of the theater (which was full).

And in case you're wondering, no one was wearing a mask. Except my wife and I.

Posted by
9263 posts

In the “ old “ days ( the 80’s) the 1/2 price ticket booth (TKTS ) used to write their same day theatre offerings on a chalk board.

Now they have a website and the original booth is fenced off so there’s a second “ home “ is where you can walk up for ticket purchases.

Presently Leicester Square is under renovation.

Posted by
1454 posts

You can also buy tickets online without the need to go to the booth. I don’t know if there is more availability in person.

Posted by
690 posts

Phred, back in the '80s my Brit-born friend collected theatre handbills and insisted that I bring him back some from Leicester Square. Those posters were then picture-plaqued before being displayed here at his Toronto home.

FWIW, there's a Stratford company called Sudden Impulse that produces outdoors Shakespearean plays each spring in the Cotswolds. In June, we took our friends from Broadway (the local village) to see the performance of As You Like It. The play was staged beside the Landmark Trust Banqueting houses near the the ancient church. A most impressive setting.

And Phred, please keep sharing more from your trip.

I am done. The end.

Posted by
9263 posts

@periscope

Personally I found the Globe seating uncomfortable and was grateful I rented a pillow.

As far as other London I’d not sit in the first row of any of them.

I did that years ago. Secured cheap same day tickets to Hurly Burly. Lets just say I got a POV of Rupert Graves that only his wife should see.

The play began with him with passed out on the set with his pants about his ankles. Then he staggers to get up whilst pulling up his pants.

In college remember being seated in the first row of the San Jose ( CA ) Performing Arts Theatre to see ballet star Peter Martins. Having only watched ballet on TV was bemused by the noises made by the dancers. Distinctly remembering trying not laugh as a male dancer was lifting a female dancer. It was a struggle.

These days I book second row 1st balcony. Love getting to see the entire stage.

Posted by
10634 posts

I also prefer the first balcony for a better view of the entire stage. On our first trip to London many years ago I went to the TKTS booth to buy tickets and ended up getting front row seats. It was okay, but not ideal. There’s a website where you can look up each theater and see the view from various seats. I can’t remember the name of the site, but frequent poster Mona has mentioned it.

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