What's your damage, Cinderella?
New shows galore! How very.
Hasn’t the West End come to life this week? Hairspray and Heathers held press nights and received rave reviews, while Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella started previews with socially distanced audiences. Prince of Egypt is back and Be More Chill opened at the Shaftesbury after its original run at The Other Palace was cut short. Perhaps London theatre is coming home instead of the football…
Sadly it’s not all good news, with the new musical adaptation of My Best Friend’s Wedding being cancelled due to continuing uncertainty. Although I received lovely emails this week about the reopening of some regional theatres, I do fear touring productions face more stumbling blocks in the coming weeks. Rumours of plans for a government-backed insurance scheme for theatres are certainly welcome but I hope it’s not too late for our smaller local venues.
Supporting all our theatres up and down the country is more important than ever! There is real spirit in our wonderful industry at these tough times and I know so many people are desperate to get back to the shows that can play right now. So here’s a whole host of discounts for you all. Have a great week whatever you’re watching.
Rochelle
🎭🎫
⚠️ Many shows are operating with social distancing in place until at least 19 July. Please check the rules and terms for any show when you book. Look out for COVID refund/exchange policies if the worst happens – there are a lot about which is great news for us consumers! ⚠️
I’m kind of a big deal
Kids Week is back! Huge potential for some amazing affordable family theatre trips! Children (17 and under) go free with every adult ticket purchased, additional children go half price. Some shows have sold out already but you can still bag tickets for Lion King, Mary Poppins, Les Mis and loads more.
I still remember standing outside Wicked a few years back and overhearing a mum sadly telling her children they couldn’t afford to go see it. She almost cried when I stopped her and told her about Kids Week. It’s one of my favourite offers each year for this very reason! So many £££ to be saved.
Hey big spender
Here’s your discounts, offers and cheap seats this week.
Well this deal is bigger than John Lennon! 41% off Heathers at the Haymarket. Seems to be performances up to 15 July. Spotted some nice stalls seats for £40 but prices start at £18.
Lots of ‘exclusive prices’ on TodayTix right now - Come From Away, Phantom, Tina, Anything Goes… Hard to tell exactly what the discounts are but definitely savings to be had versus the theatre directly. Prices seem to come and go as and when for different shows, book as soon as you see them.
Under 30s, check out Tennessee Williams’s The Two Character Play at Hampstead Theatre for just £10. Thanks to the Theatre Craft newsletter for that one!
Mischief Theatre is streaming their hilarious improv show Mischief Movie Night In for the next few weeks. Just £10 per device, bargain! Fantastic family-friendly fun, perfect for anyone isolating right now (solidarity to you all).
There’s still digital shows about if you’re not ready for in-person theatre yet (solidarity again, I’m still struggling with reopening anxiety). Chichester Festival Theatre is streaming South Pacific and early bird tickets are just £10!
If you haven’t seen Amelie yet, get up to 37% off Tues-Thurs performances. I loved this show, and the socially distanced legroom at the Criterion looks dreamy.
Definitely no chill about these prices - £20, £30 and £40 seats for Be More Chill. Loads available, some just a few rows from the stage! Or try Central Tickets for 39% off.
I love a Sunday show! LTD have all Wonderville tickets at £25 on Sundays only.
Save up to £33 on Singin’ in the Rain. I can’t help with the rain forecast this weekend I’m afraid, sorry.
For those with kids, save up to £19 on Billionaire Boy tickets during the week. Also grab £15.50 tickets for What the Ladybird Heard.
Some seat upgrades for Jersey Boys and Tina - only on top price so not cheap but savings of £20ish if you want to treat yourself.
TKTS is back, but only online right now. For those new to TKTS, it’s a booth in Leicester Square that gives you on-the-day deals for London shows. Not a huge amount of discounts right now but worth keeping an eye out - it changes daily. Today The Money is 35% off - my friend Sarah gave it 4 stars!
Still haven’t seen In the Heights? Don’t pay full price. I stumbled across this fantastic blog by Andy Webb where he lists just about every offer in existence for cinema tickets at the mo. It’s marvellous!
Any Natwest reward customers? I noticed they’re doing 2% cashback over £125 (and 1% under £125) with ATG ticket purchases until 14 July. Log in through the MyRewards site for full details. This may be your only way to save money on Moulin Rouge right now!
Discounts for touring shows are a little thin on the ground right now as they’re still getting up and running but here’s a few bits and bobs. There are of course great standard offers for members, young people, students, groups and 60+ at many venues, so always check directly if that’s you.
Mischief fans can save £5 on each show when booking for both The Play That Goes Wrong and Groan Ups at the Orchard in Dartford. Works out around £30 per ticket at the lower end. Seems to be the only venue doing this deal at the moment but I’ll keep an eye out.
Save 15% (20% for members) when you book three shows or more at the Marlowe in Canterbury with their multi-buy offer. Some fab shows included on this one - Rocky Horror Show, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 9 to 5, Mamma Mia!
For those further north, lots of top shows heading to Manchester theatres. No offers I can find but tickets start at £13 at both the Palace and the Opera House. From what I can see on Seat Plan, the views aren’t too bad from the grand circle of the Opera House if you stay central.
Don’t throw away your shot
Competitions, on-sales, and announcements.
Win a London staycation thanks to The Play That Goes Wrong. We’ll debate the real meaning of staycation later…
Official London Theatre still have their #BackOnStage competition running, so remember to use the hashtag in your theatre posts on Insta and Twitter.
I’ve received more emails about holidays to Mars than anything this week! Win tickets to the immersive War of the Worlds experience.
Another competition, this time with the Theatre Cafe on Twitter for some In the Heights goodies, ends very soon.
A head’s up for next week - the National Theatre’s Friday Rush is back! Currently offering £10 tickets for After Life and Under Milk Wood. Always a great way to get cheap tickets to sold-out NT shows, often quite decent seats too.
Crossroads Pantomimes have started rolling out the casting for loads of their shows this Christmas. Once big names are out, tickets really start to fly, so jump on those group offers. I’m particularly excited about Bonnie Langford heading to Bromley after her stint on the Masked Dancer!
That’s all for this week. If you enjoyed the newsletter, please tell your friends. I’m also open to suggestions, feedback and requests for certain discounts, so do drop into my DMs! I’m off to do some major DIY while belting out some musicals. 🎵