Most London theatres are closed on Sundays, with most open Mon - Sats. Most theatres are also open normally on UK Bank Holidays, except Christmas Day, when all theatres are closed.
     Generally, the theatres are divided into West End , Fringe and repertory like The National Theatre (NT).

LONDON THEATRE AREAS

WEST END

     These theatres are commercial, mainly putting on big productions with a lot of money spent on them. Some of the shows can be long runners, particulary musicals like "Phantom of the Opera". There can also be long running plays as well, like "The Mousetrap". Prices can be high, sometimes as much as £50 for top price tickets, and much more if buying from an agency. However, the cheapest can be as low as £7 depending on the day of the week (although it may not be a great view). The West End does have a lot of musicals playing, but there are still many good plays featuring superb actors/actress . I don't think you will find as much diversity anywhere else in the world.

NT and GLOBE THEATRE

     These theatres, National Theatre (NT) and the Globe Theatre are two of the most popular repertoire companys in London. The NT is subsidised. This means they are not as commercial as the West End. They can take a risk with new and unknown writers, and plays that may not appeal to a wide audience. Having said that, probably the best plays are shown here. Some get transferred to the West End if they are very successful.
     The Royal National have three theatres, The Olivier, The Lyttelton and The Cottesloe. Most performances are in repertory, so you can see quite a few plays in one week. The Globe Theatre season is performed from April to September.

THE FRINGE

     These plays are generally in smaller theatres, mostly pub theatres in and around London. Some can be very small and run as clubs, where a membership needs to be paid. However most of these theatres include a days membership in the price of the ticket.
     You can see some superb plays in these theatres and prices are much lower than the West End.

Lashmars Theatre Tickets

     One of the sponsors of this site are Lashmars Theatre Tickets . They are a reputable agency in Mayfair, London that only sell theatre tickets. They are a founder member of STAR (The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers ). They are a family company that has been selling theatre tickets since 1926 and are members of the Ticket Agents Association. However, because they are an agency they do, like other agents, charge a booking fee of approx 25 percent including VAT.

Phone Theatre Box Office

     You can phone the box office of the theatre and pay by credit card. This will probably be the cheapest way even with the cost of the call. (Note, many theatres now charge a small telephone booking fee of around £1 or £2 and sometimes you are kept on hold, but it is still the cheapest method!!)

Buying when you have arrived in London

     If you want tickets on the day, then try the Half Price Ticket Booth (now called Tkts) in Leicester Square. They have a large selection of good seats for a few of the shows at half price. Although not normally for the big shows like The Lion King etc. Tickets are sold at half price plus a service charge up to £2.50 a ticket, cash and Credit Cards only. Centrally located in the free standing clock tower building in Leicester Square, the booth is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
     If a show you want is not at the half price ticket booth (Tkts) then go direct to the theatre box office.      You can use an agency (such as Lashmars Theatre Tickets) if you cannot get tickets from the box office. There are many agencies in London selling tickets. Always ask what the face value of the ticket is compared to the price they are selling it at. (By law they have to tell you this if you ask!) ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO LOOK FOR THE STAR LOGO, which is a way of guaranteeing a good agent.

Queuing for returns

     If tickets are sold out you could try queuing for returns.Arrive at the theatre a few hours before the performance and you should be able to get a ticket. The Royal National Theatre reserve some tickets which only go on sale the day of the performance, on sale from 10am (but get there a couple of hours before 10am!!).
     **Most of the top shows nearly always have returns, so get there early.

Ticket Touts

     The touts will hang around the top theatres trying to sell you tickets.NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy from ticket touts. It is just too big a risk that the tickets could be stolen or forged, as well as being very expensive. I know it is tempting particularly when you are desperate to see the show, but if people would stop buying from them they would soon go out of business.

West End Cares

     Charity Ticket Hotline.Tickets for popular West End shows available. Price (twice the face value) includes 50 per cent donation to Aids charities.
     TEL : 020 7976 8100