Lashmars Theatre Tickets
One of the sponsors of this site are Lashmars Theatre Tickets . They are a reputable agency in Mayfair, London that only sell theatre tickets. They are a founder member of STAR (The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers ). They are a family company that has been selling theatre tickets since 1926 and are members of the Ticket Agents Association. However, because they are an agency they do, like other agents, charge a booking fee of approx 25 percent including VAT.
You should receive a satisfactory service from 'Lashmars', however if you're not happy or have any comments about the company, would you please let me know. This is so I can maintain the high standard and credibility of The London Theatre Guide - Online.
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Phone Theatre Box Office
You can phone the box office of the theatre and pay by credit card. Note, many theatres charge a telephone booking fee of around £1.50 to £3 and sometimes you are kept on hold a while. Also be aware that most theatre box office numbers now have a prefix of 0870, 0844 etc (non-geographic numbers), instead of the normal London 020 number. These numbers will cost about the same to call if calling within the UK from an ordinary phone, but if calling from outside the UK these may be classed as premium numbers by your phone company and so can be very expensive!!
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Buying when you have arrived in London
If you want tickets on the day, then try the Half Price Ticket Booth (now called Tkts) in Leicester Square. They have a large selection of good seats for a few of the shows at half price. Tickets are sold at half price plus a service charge up to £2.50 a ticket, cash and Credit Cards only.
Centrally located in the free standing clock tower building in Leicester Square, the booth is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
If a show you want is not at the half price ticket booth (Tkts) then go direct to the theatre box office.
You can use an agency (such as Lashmars Theatre Tickets) if you cannot get tickets from the box office. There are many agencies in London selling tickets. Always ask what the face value of the ticket is compared to the price they are selling it at. (By law they have to tell you this if you ask!) ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO LOOK FOR THE STAR LOGO, which is a way of guaranteeing a good agent.
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Queuing for returns
If tickets are sold out you could try queuing for returns. Arrive at the theatre a few hours before the performance and you should be able to get a ticket. The Royal National Theatre reserve some tickets which only go on sale the day of the performance, on sale from 10am (but get there a couple of hours before 10am!!).
**Most of the top shows nearly always have returns, so get there early.
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Ticket Touts
The touts will hang around the top theatres trying to sell you tickets.NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy from ticket touts. It is just too big a risk that the tickets could be stolen or forged, as well as being very expensive. I know it is tempting particularly when you are desperate to see the show, but if people would stop buying from them they would soon go out of business.
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West End Cares
Charity Ticket Hotline.Tickets for popular West End shows available. Price (twice the face value) includes 50 per cent donation to Aids charities.
TEL : 020 7976 8100
