Another question: Do they still have half-price ticket booths in London? Has anyone had good luck with them lately? We're interested in some of the old standard musicals: Phantom & Les Miz, etc.
The booth is still in Leicester Square: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/leicester_square/
I got some good tickets for The Woman in Black recently, but can't remember what else was advertised.
Jean, Go to the site that Laura from the UK noted in the previous post and click on the "what's on sale today" link. They update this each day with the tickets on sale. Check it periodically before your trip to see what is likely to be available.
Weekends typically don't have as much selection as weekdays. If you have your heart set on something, you might be better to buy in advance. Theatremonkey.com is a site with good tips as to where to buy tickets and where the best seats are.
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/
That's the site. In the left column click on the what's on sale today. Phantom was not available today and you're advised to buy at the Theatre. Les Mis isn't playing.
Loads of good plays to choose from though. You might also persue this link so you'll know the types of seats you may get.
http://www.thisistheatre.com/halfpricetickets.html
Enjoy your trip.
In direct answer to your question, yes they do and plenty of them. Remember to make your way to the TKTS booth which RS recommends.
We just returned from two weeks there and were able to get 1/2 price tickets to "Billy Elliot" and "The Lion King." From speaking with other people they had no problem with "Mama Mia" "Oliver" "Les Miserables," (playing at the Queen's Theatre) and "Hairspray" at the Shaftsbury. "12th Night" has been sold out for a year prior to it's opening but it's worth the effort the night of the performance to see if anything comes available. Dame Judi Dench started her run on Friday, March 13. She's brilliant! Have a great trip!
Thanks for all the help...can't wait to get there! The last time I saw a play in London, we saw four in four days: Les Miz, Phantom, Starlight Express & Cats! Any guesses how long ago that was? ;-)
Starlight Express ran for 18 years, starting in March of 1984 with their last performance in January of 2002 - we saw it at least five times starting when our kids were very young through their teen years. Cats opened in 1981 and ran for 21 years with their final performance in the west end in 2002 - so it's been awhile. :-) Hope you have a great trip!
We got really good deals on tickets for BILLY ELLIOTT and JERSEY BOYS right at their theaters earlier in the day. They are both quite popular and we loved both shows. If you like dance, BILLY ELLIOTT will delight you. The politics of the long coal strike in the 80s is background but not the main point.
In both shows you have to put up with profanity but I'm used to that. I would miss far too much in life if I stayed away from movies and shows because of profanity.
I always liked the Four Seasons and I grew up in New Jersey. So JERSEY BOYS was made for me. It was interesting to hear Brits trying to talk like New Jersey people. They did it pretty well. Interesting story. Great music.
If you want to guarantee yourself tickets, you can go to londontown.com and get discounted tickets. The seats are assigned, and I got Spamalot last June, row B in the mezzanine. Great seats, and regular price was 70 pounds, I paid 55.
We like to use Albemarle of London to order ahead of time. One plus is you can see diagrams of the theatres to check seat locations. They will mail yor tickets to you here or leave them with your hotel for you to pick up there. If you liked the music of the 70's don't miss Queen's "We Will Rock You"! We've seen it more than 10 time- and loved it every time!