For a great experience that will satisfy your artistic and cultural tastes, London is one of the greatest places t visit. This is especially true if you're into theatre, because the city has one of the best theatre scenes on the planet. There are generally three kinds of London theatres: Fringe, West End, and repertory. Each kind has its own distinct charm, and it would be best to try to see at least one performance from each kind if you can.Smaller theatres are collectively called the Fringe, and these theatres come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including pub theatres. Yes, London pubs actually host some theatre performances. London is teeming with creative minds, and you're sure to find a show everywhere. Because of its buzzing theatre scene, you can find theatre tickets for sale almost anywhere in London. The theatre sizes there vary, from small ones which can seat at least 40 people to huge theatres that can seat thousands.
You should try to watch performances on the smaller theatres first if you're on a budget and want theatre tickets London AND cheap theatre tickets. You're sure to discover some stunning performances in the smaller theatres, which is why you should check these out even though I can't guarantee that performances in the smaller theatres will all be good. If you're going to go see performances in the Fringe, the best way to enjoy the experience is to come with low expectations. The smaller spaces make a more intimate setting, and the performances in the Fringe also have different sorts of performances.
However, if you can afford it, do check out the West End and repertory theatres. Aside from the excellent variety of plays, you're also treated to great historic architectural designs and big cushy seats! Commercial plays are performed at the West End. Some theatre tickets can be very pricey, so it would be best to get them at the door instead of through an agency when you're buying tickets. Some tickets can cost as much as £70, but you can get cheap tickets on weekdays or matinees. If you have a particular performance you have in mind, remember that Sadlers Wells is for operas, Old Vic for Shakespeare, and Albery for the latest musicals.
If you want to see lots of different shows in a short span of time, you should check out the repertory theatres in London, wherein different performances which feature the same actors are shown within the week. The most popular repertoire companies in London are the National Theatre and the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. The Shakespeare Globe Theatre, as its name suggests, shows Shakespearean plays while the National Theatre has newer and riskier plays. This is because the National Theatre is subsidized, which is why it's more willing to take on new writers and plays which may not necessarily be commercial.
It's easy to find cheap London theatre tickets. Although generally it's a good idea to book tickets as early as you can, some shows still have tickets for sale on the day of the performance itself, especially for those performances billed on weekdays and matinees. When buying tickets, you should always opt for buying at the theatre instead of through an agency to save a couple of pounds. Also, if the show you want to see has been sold out, you can also queue for returns a few hours before the performance—sometimes these tickets are sold at discount prices as well.