It has always been easy to spend your money in London but, when it comes down to it and, contrary to a lot of rumours, theatre-going in the theatre capital of the world is not necessarily that expensive: with special offers, meal deals, last minute tickets and upper circle seats you can “do” Londons Theatreland for very little money… of course no-one will be looking across at you and saying wow, how did they get those seats: I must engineer an introduction at the interval!So if your wallet is uncomfortably fat and your entertainment budget woefully under-used, read on and let me spend your money…
At the top of the pile is Londons Royal Opera House. Nothing says ker-ching like a trip to the worlds premier opera house. Of course you could sit in the cheap seats but what you cant do is get a deal. Sit in the best seats and pay!In the 2013 Autumn season, the operas to splash the cash at are: Puccinis Turandot and Mozarts Le nozze di Figaro. The great thing about opera is that you can really see where they have spent your money: from the theatre itself to the huge orchestra, the endless chorus with their multiple costumes and the stunning sets. If you really want to save money then sit at the back, or on the side, but why would you? Top price seats are 178 each.
Sticking with Covent Garden, the next on our list of budget busting tickets is the Royal Ballets production of Romeo and Juliet. Kenneth MacMillans masterpiece set to Tchaikovskis stunning music is one of lifes must sees. And dont think that catching one of the live screenings in a cinema somewhere near where you live is a suitable alternative. 112 is what the best seats cost and 112 is what you should spend.
The West End has long underpriced its very best tickets: especially when you compare it to Broadway. So it was not a surprise when, a few years ago, producers started to sell the seats right in the middle of the stalls and dress circle at a premium. These were originally packaged with a complimentary programme or maybe a drink, but nowadays just the best seat in the house will be all that you get in return for your hard earned cash – oh, and the admiring stares of everyone in the theatre as they try and work out how you got such brilliant seats!
So what are the 10 most expensive West End shows?
1. The Book of Mormon 127
2. Wicked 98
3. The Lion King 97.70
4. Jersey Boys 97
5. Les Miserables 97
6. Mamma Mia! 97
7. The Phantom Of The Opera 95
8. Once 95
9. Stephen Ward 95
10. The Body Guard 95
Finally, the Royal Albert Hall is one of Londons premium venues with a wide range of shows, concerts and events taking place there each year. Probably the most famous single event is the Last Night of the Proms. This potentially provides us with Londons most expensive event.
Although tickets can be as little as 5 each, because of the Five Ticket Ballot system, you could be buying tickets for the other promenade concerts, to qualify for the last night, for years without actually getting a ticket for the last night. You could of course camp out or turn up on the day and queue but what, in either of those options, implies luxury! Sitting tickets for the performance, should you buy sitting tickets for 5 other proms and get lucky on the ballot are 87.50.
