How to Book your seats for London’s theatres

IF YOU ARE NOT A REGULAR THEATREGOER OR ARE COMING TO THE WEST END TEATRE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEN WE HAVE SOME ADVICE THAT WILL MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR YOU.

TRY TO BOOK YOUR SEAT IN ADVANCE.

It’s easy to find out what is on and where-all the theatres advertise widely in both local and national press, and numerous weekly magazines which always carry theatre information.

Booking in advance will guarantee obtaining seats for the show and performance of your choice at the price you want to pay, thus avoiding disappointment.

FIVE WAYS TO BOOK YOUR SEAT

· Go directly to the Theatre Box Office- generally they are open from 10 a.m. until the beginning of the evening performance.

· Telephone the Box Office- the number can be found in the classified or entertainment guides in the press or on the back page of special leaflet.

· Write to the Box Office- enclosing a cheque or postal order and a stamped, addressed envelope giving alternative performance dates if possible.

· Use your credit card – you can tepephone the theatre direct quoting your card number, and immediately reserve your seats. You will need to produce your card for identification purpose when collecting your tickets at the theatre.

· Ticket agencies selling West End theatre tickets can be found throughout London and other large cities, some having branches in the largest hotels. These agencies will give you choice of most shows, but charge an additional booking fee on top of the nomal seat prices.

The Half Price Ticket Booth-

Theatre tickets for many West End shows may be bought for half price plus 50 p booking fee from the Leicester Square Ticket Booth. The Booth is open from Monday to Saturday for matirnee performance tickets from 12 noon, and for evening performances from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.

Student Standby Seats

Unsold seats at many theatres are available cut price to students on production of a student card at the theatre Box Office just before the perrformance. Theatres operating this scheme are usually identified by the symbol S in the classified listings.

The London Theatre Guide

The London Theatre Guide is a fortnightly publication, containing information about theatres productions within the West End. Subscription enquiries should be addressed to the Society of West End Theatre, situated in London.

Ex. 3 Work in pairs. Make up a dialogue at the ticket agency booking some seats for the performance.

Ex.4 a)Read an extract from the letter of an English girl in which she writes about one of her visits to the theatre.

This evening I went to Stratford with my best friend Sue. We went to see a play called „Love Without Measures”. The advertisement made it sound quite interesting so we thought we would go along.

It was quite different to what we had been expecting, but nevertheless it was very good. The group performing were called the Kaleidoscope Theatre Company. The majority of the cast had somesort of handicap. Many of the actors had Downs Syndrome. Because of this, the play was mainly miming with music that created the atmosphere. It was a marvel to see and the message came across loud and clear! The play provided a glimpse into a mystical and magical world as the tale of the greatest quest of the Holy Grail is unveiled. It was a moving and powerful fantasy tale which consisted of legent and history. The actors were a range of ages from 18 years upwards.

b) What are the girl’s impressions?

Ex.4 Write a simular letter describing your impressions of a theatrical performance you have recently attended in one of Gomel theatres. Make sure that you describe not only what play you saw, but also how thought and felt about it.

Ex.5 Act out a dialoge. You want to find out where in your city your friend could advise you to go to see the most interesting theatrical events.

Ex.6 Study these posters advertising theatrical productions.

Poster 1

CATS

New London Theatre, Drury Lane

Andrew Lioyd Webber’s Cats, the longest running musical in the history of British theatre, has played and continues to play to packed house. Based on Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the upbeat score and memorable lyric combine with exhilarating, energetic dance routines to create an evening of true wonder. The gigantic set, piled high with oversize objects,conjures up a fantasy alley-catworld peopled by such feline delights as Macavity the Mystery Cat.

Poster II

OTELLO

Royal Opera House

Placido Domingo singing, Otello is one of the undisputed highlights of opera today. He returns to Covent Garden as the fatally jealous Moor for only four performances. These performances will be conducted by Carlos Kleiber, one of the most exciting Verdi conductors of our time, who makes an eagerly- awaited return to the Royal Opera House.

Poster III

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