11 West End Theatre Hacks to Save Your Sanity

It’s undeniable that attending a theater performance can be incredibly enchanting, profound, and healing for the soul, but let’s not forget that it can sometimes be quite a hassle.

Currently, ticket prices tend to be steep, restroom lines often stretch long, and it seems like there’s always an unremembered rule of conduct that someone in the audience will be quick to point out.

As a cinephile, I must confess that exploring Central London during the day is one thing, but venturing out there at night is an entirely different beast. You see, not everyone has mastered the art of maneuvering through dense crowds or hanging out outside a pub in chilly five-degree weather.

Taking that into consideration, our Nightlife Squad has compiled a useful set of suggestions to make your West End experience smoother. You’ll find advice on scoring the best ticket deals, outfit ideas, and even meal timing tips – all aimed at ensuring you have a hassle-free night out!

Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of attending and critiquing more than 30 London theatre productions. While some visits went off without a hitch, others were less than perfect. So, let me pass on my insights and lessons learned from those experiences to ensure your next visit is a delightful one.

Here’s our best hacks for a night at London’s West End

1. Use Rush tickets or lotteries to get the best price

If you’re working with limited funds or unsure about the attractions to visit, it might be beneficial for you to explore the Rush Ticketing option offered by TodayTix.

Last-minute theater seats called “rush tickets” become available daily at 10am. These tickets are sold based on a first-come, first-served system, meaning you need to act fast if you want to secure one. The number of tickets and their location within the theater can vary depending on the availability of that evening’s performance.

Although Rush seats might initially seem expensive, with prices typically around £25 per person and some even as low as £15, they offer great value. For instance, a Rush ticket for Wicked currently costs £33, but the Rush price is only £28 due to the base price of the show being higher.

Shop TodayTix Rush tickets

2. Use SeatPlan before you select your seats

SeatPlan is a brilliant website which has over 250,000 photos of theatre seat views.

You simply need to choose your preferred show, select your desired seats, and a visual preview will appear, giving you a clear idea of your view. This way, you can be confident that the seat you select offers good value for money and there are no annoying pillars obstructing it.

Shop theatre tickets at SeatPlan

3. To start your night right, don’t get off at Covent Garden

Covent Garden tube station is situated right in London’s West End and is near most theaters. However, it’s also famous for its 193 steps, which are not recommended due to the long lines for the elevators during rush hour. Instead, consider getting off at Leicester Square (the next stop on the Piccadilly Line) or switching to another line like Charing Cross, Tottenham Court Road, or Embankment. In essence, it might be wiser to avoid the steep steps and long queues at Covent Garden during peak hours.

4. Take advantage of London’s many pre-theatre menus

If you haven’t encountered it before, pre-theatre menus refer to fixed-priced, typically two-course meals that are meant to be served swiftly. These meals are tailored for theater enthusiasts with time constraints, and many restaurants provide them. In the past, we’ve sampled Olea Social, Ristorante Olivelli, and the Savoy Grill, but there’s a whole world of options yet to explore.

Generally, performances at the theater begin between 7 pm and 7:30 pm, so it’s best to plan for dinner around 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Choose a restaurant close to your theater and make sure to reserve a table in advance.

5. Arrive at least 20 minutes before the start time

Regarding the issue of your arrival time, there’s often debate about it, but let me assure you, so long as you’re settled comfortably in your seat before the screening begins, the exact moment of your arrival isn’t crucial.

If you prefer to have some time for a drink, a bathroom break, or unwinding with a program beforehand, it would be advisable to arrive at least 20-30 minutes in advance.

6. Go to the toilet before you do anything else

It’s generally accepted that there will always be a long line for the restroom in a theater. Many of the West End’s oldest theaters have only one or two bathroom stalls, with Trafalgar Theatre being notorious for this. Therefore, our advice is to go to the restroom as soon as you arrive at the theater to avoid waiting later.

If possible, avoid entering during peak hours, and don’t hesitate to move from your designated area to find more peaceful restrooms – typically, you’ll find the least crowded ones higher up in the building.

7. Book a drink for the interval

Many London theatres now provide a service to pre-order drinks during intermissions. Simply visit the bar before the performance begins, place your order, and you will be informed where to retrieve your items, which will be ready when the break starts. This way, you can avoid the rush at the bar after the first act has ended.

8. Try not to have too much on you

To avoid inconvenience, consider leaving large bags or bulky items at home when visiting smaller West End theaters, such as the Gielgud theatre, Arts theatre, and Fortune theatre. Larger or more modern theaters like the London Coliseum, Apollo Victoria, or the Other Palace have more spacious interiors, so they’re less likely to be a problem. However, this isn’t always feasible if you’re heading straight from work with a backpack.

9. Dress comfortably – remember how long you’re sitting for

At the theater in the evening, there isn’t a strict dress code, but smart-casual is usually suggested. Our advice? Choose clothes that make you feel comfortable since you’ll be seated for around two hours. For example, skirts and more relaxed pants might be better than tight jeans.

It might be wise to bring along a sweater or pullover, as some old theaters can get chilly, and you wouldn’t want to finish up feeling cold.

10. Take in water (and cough drops)

It’s common for everyone to find themselves in an awkward situation due to an unexpected bout of coughing. To avoid disrupting important moments or causing discomfort to others, it would be wise to always have water and perhaps some cough lozenges at hand.

11. Forget the snacks and save room for ice cream

In simpler terms, it’s strongly discouraged to make crinkling sounds with snack bags at the movie theater. Instead, consider abstaining from eating Minstrels during the show and look forward to having ice cream afterwards.

In the West End, serving ice cream during intermissions is an age-old tradition dating back to Victorian times, a custom not commonly found on Broadway or in other countries. Why not seize this unique opportunity and treat yourself? If you’re a frequent theatergoer, make it a mission to sample all the various flavors. However, be warned that the fight for the fragile wooden spoon might ensue!

2025-03-21 12:07