Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 4/2/2008

Question
Alun,You answered a questions a few months ago about cruising into Dover. Transportation questions and hotel recommendations.  Now I wondering about getting discount theatre tickets while in London.  We are there May 6-8 2008, and afternoon events are fine?  Any ideas.  Thanks
And we are staying at base 2 stay.  Bernie

Answer
Hi - lovely to hear back from you!

There is such a huge range of theatre in London during May that, in theory, it's very difficult to make suggestions of what to see ...

That said, my job is occasionally really easy - and this is a good example!

Be in Leicester Square for 10am and visit the "Tkts" office (map and site details below).

They list all the London shows and have tickets for that day's performances at half price (plus £2.50 for their costs - the prices shown on the boards outside their offices include the £2.50, so you pay what you see!).

Now that you know how to get to see a performance cheaply, what do you see?

Well, that's easy too - I've listed below the link to the shows and what tickets are available today (it's updated each morning), so you can get an idea of the range of shows in advance, and when you arrive at the http://www.base2stay.com hotel, there's free internet on the big TV screens in each room, so you can make a final decision!

2 things:
1) arrive early at your chosen theatre if you can - they really are the most beautiful buildings inside, many having had millions spent on them in recent years to bring them back to the glorious original conditions of 100 years ago. Sadly, many people arrive at the last minute and don't get to appreciate the interiors!

2) When you check in at the hotel, do please mention my name - I've arranged a small bottle of champagne for you, but as I don't know your surname, I can't surprise you with it!

Do let me know where I can help further, won't you - and I'd love to hear what you think of London, the cruise, the hotel - and the theatre!

Here's the links:
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts
will take you to the official Tkts site - and please don't even think of buying from anyone in the street around there, even someone pretending to work for Tkts (!)

http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/today
will take you to today's availability

and
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/leicestersquare
shows you an easy map - but the building is easy to spot as it's the only building actually in the grassy Square - ooh, and do walk through the Square if you get a few moments - amongst the excellent statues of famous actors etc, there's a wonderful, but relatively unknown statue of Shakespeare, right in the middle!

Does this help, please?

Alun Hill MCIJ
http://www.IndependentTravelWriter.com