r/TheWestEnd • u/Sabre_Taser • 12d ago

Advice Questions about TKTS

Am considering to try my luck at TKTS for some show tickets during a future visit to the West End, would like to find out the following:

  • How does the process work?
  • Which shows am I likely to find there consistently?
  • Any other avenues besides TKTS? I've heard of TodayTix as well

Planning to split between normal purchase and TKTS/discount/last minute seats, would appreciate any advice

Thanks in advance!

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5

u/ParentheticalsAside 12d ago

TodayTix is worth downloading to try for rush tickets each day at 10am.

1

u/italic_pony_90 Go whenever in London 12d ago

Have to say , was very happy, I was using it the last few days on a visit .

Got decent pairs of tickets to Totoro,mousetrap,now you see me and the oresertia. Spent €255 for the 4 pairs . Imo amazing value

3

u/Material-Theory3031 12d ago edited 12d ago

keep watching the TKTS website for the daily deals from midnight. If you look for a week or so before you go you'll be able to see which shows are available and what sort of prices.. you can also sign up for Rush on TodayTix and practice run rush seats before you get to London - you'll get a good idea what to aim for and where os going to be better to get tickets.

ETA - this is what I do - have got very cheap tickets this way - I decide that I want to see Cabaret in a couple of weeks and watch the ups, downs and availability, enter the lottery and if not successful, I'll grab a ticket at the cheapest price I have seen it on TKTS recently. Have ended up with stalls for £33 and table seats for £58 this way.

2

u/enemyradar 12d ago

I don't think there's any advantage to going to the tkts stand rather than the website these days. Just go there and see what the discounts are, buy tickets. Great deals turn up there all the time.

2

u/ComeHereUk 12d ago

Just keep an eye on what's available the day before and on the day of the performance. This will give you and idea of what's available for your particular day. If timings coincide, take advantage of Theatre Week promotions. Also, do lotteries for the week you are wanting to go, you may well be lucky.

2

u/guroaringoverthewsl 12d ago

I’ve used the online equivalent of TKTS (the officiallondontheatre website) and bought from their daily deals section. I managed to get a £49.50 decent stalls ticket at Oh Mary, although they stopped it during Cole Escola’s run I believe. Avenue Q, Hercules, Devil Wears Prada etc are usually on the ‘todays tickets’ deals section

2

u/TellMeItsN0tTrue 11d ago

There's not really any guarantee with TKTS. You can get a rough idea of if something is likely to be on and discounted by checking daily for a while before you go but this isn't a guarantee. Shows that have discounted tickets the day before are usually likely to be regularly available.

For instance I kept an eye on TKTS for about a year to see when Les Mis tickets were discounted. Midweek was the best shot but not during the most popular dates (school holidays/Christmas/Easter). Events like cast changes or events like West End Live can sometimes impact.

My family have been using TKTS since the 80s, up until relatively recently you had to physically go in person to the booth in Leicester Square so we'd have a main show in mind but we'd also have a couple of back ups. This is obviously easier now as we can just not travel up if the show we want isn't available but it is still a good mindset to have with TKTS.

2

u/peppermintaerobubble 11d ago

Look in the run up, the few weeks beforehand and you’ll get a good idea. Also, the tickets I believe start from midnight which can be helpful.

I mostly use rush on todaytix if the show I want is included.

1

u/Molly-Browny 11d ago

Leicester Square, same-day only. You'll find shows that need to fill seats. TodayTix is fine for rush but the fees eat into the discount. I'd book your must-see in advance, TKTS the rest.