Concessions for theatre

[womanofdulwich]

I think its a bit mean when a theatre ( not a West End one)offers concession tickets for oaps but not students/ children.

What do you think?

[uncleglen]

Children and students can go to the theatre as a school trip in a school group sometimes which is cheaper. Also why should everyone subsidise children at every turn- the parents may be well off. The same can be said for students who get discounts on stationery, clothing and other stuff. Also, why should only NHS staff around Camberwell get money off stuff?

I am also amazed that children up to 19 in full time education get free oyster travel. This encourages them to go too far to school and hop on and off buses for 1 or 2 stops.

The cost of all these discounts come from our taxes or is passed on to other shoppers. I do not begrudge oapsany of their concessions because they have no way of supplementing their income and their cheap concessions are sometimes restricted to unpopular times.

[womanofdulwich]

I don't think there is anything to stop oaps working. My former director, on his earnings of ?300,000, used to use his free travel card whenever he went on public transport.

I think its important to encourage young people to go to the theatre. Not all schools do trips to the theatre.

[Jeremy]

Pretty hard for theatres to make ends meet, I imagine... especially if it's not a West End theatre with big name shows and ?50+ tickets. Not necessarily a case of being mean.

[womanofdulwich]

Maybe I am biased and maybe it depends on the genre of the theatre. I am just a little disappointed at the Chocolate Factory.

[Saffron]

Might depend on supply and demand? If demand is very high, then there's less incentive to offer concessions, which is why concessions are sometimes restricted to certain times and shows. Otherwise concessions encourage individuals to see shows, who might not otherwise have spent their money there.

Did you ask the CF why no concessions for students/children?

[womanofdulwich]

I did - they said demand was so high they could only give concessions to oaps and gave it to them instead of students / children. ?120 for a family of 4 - ain't going to happen.

The National and young/old vic are much better at this.

[Saffron]

Hmm interesting. I had a look at the CF website. Looks like their strategy is encouraging people to donate, by offering discounts on other stuff, eg food/drinks, rather than offering concessions. I guess that's working for them, if they're doing well. I understand it's been a difficult few years for theatres. Agreed, though, would be pricey for a family, so maybe that's not their target audience financially?

Personally I really like the Albany in Deptford. http://www.thealbany.org.uk/whatson They have a good variety for all ages, and not expensive.

[Ladygooner]

The Menier Chocolate factory does good deals on previews but as the theatre is so small and so popular they don't need to discount. I recently went to Southwark Playhouse for ?10 and the Young Vic has tickets for ?19.50. Last Minute.com also does cheap tickets - I have recently bought tickets for Dolls House ?15, Pride ?12 and Committments ?12.

[Saffron]

Just been looking for tickets online for Mathilda the Musical. Blimey. The prices can only be described as eyewatering, and not a family/child discount in sight. So it's not just the Chocolate Factory. Seems other theatres are charging a hefty price too. I know it's been a tough few years for theatres, but ?97 for a matinee ticket? Really?!?

[Ladygooner]

Saffron - Lastminute showing tickets for Mathilda on 19th Sept for ?34.00 and matinee 29 Sept ?36.40

[womanofdulwich]

I have just bought Menier chocolate factory tickets from Time out offer for a third off- I guess you just have to search a long time in advance and you might get lucky :)

[alice]

old vic has ?48 tickets for ?10 if you have proof of residence in southwark

[Bellenden Belle]

It depends on the theatre experience, doesn't it? I'm not saying for a moment that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory wouldn't be an amazing day out for children - but this is commercial theatre, its aim is to make profit, and as such ticket prices are driven by demand. It's a luxury product you're purchasing.

And good theatre doesn't come cheap. Which is why it's so important that people value the Arts Council and art subsidy - because without them lots of children and young people wouldn't have access to the arts. And it's why we are so lucky to have such fantastic theatres designed for children in London. My own son - 19 months - goes to the theatre about once a month. We go to Polka, the Unicorn Theatre, the Half Moon Theatre, Stratford Circus, and Little Angel Theatre amongst others. I use public transport to get to all of them - they are all within reach.

All of these theatres produce shows which have been tailored for different age groups - many workiing with educational specialists. Many involve multi-sensory experiences and take place in intimate spaces which have been specifically designed to appeal to children. Don't for a minute think these are the commercial theatre's poor relatives. They're not - they are full of the same creative teams that you find elsewhere. They provide that steady flow of talent that feeds the larger main theatres.

Support them and value them - I promise you'll have a great time.

http://www.polkatheatre.com/

https://www.unicorntheatre.com/

http://www.halfmoon.org.uk/

http://www.littleangeltheatre.com/

https://www.stratford-circus.com/Online/default.asp

[womanofdulwich]

Wow BB!

That's a lot of theatre!!

I am talking older teenagers- but you are right- the younger you start the better!

[Bellenden Belle]

Hi Woman of Dulwich,

Yeah poor Baby Belle has seen more theatre than most adults I know. His dad does make sure he gets to play lots of football too!

All those theatres - but particularly Unicorn Theatre - do really interesting shows for older ages.

For example this is currently getting amazing reviews:

https://www.unicorntheatre.com/whatson/12/othello-the-remix

The Unicorn also has a useful function where you can click on an age range and get shows suitable - one of them is for size L - age 13 plus.

[KidKruger]

I looked-up Albany as mentioned by Saffron above, looks great, going there in Oct !

[giggirl]

Normally I'd concur WoD, but in the case of the Menier, it is a tiny tiny theatre trying to make ends meet so I guess they can't always offer discounts.

BB - I applaud you.

I have tickets for Emile and the Detectives at the National and Let The Right One In at the Royal Court, both of which I'm taking teenagers to. The National gives discount but I'm not sure about the Royal Court. Looking forward to both.

[womanofdulwich]

I did get the Menier tickets reduced by a Time Out offer, and I am very happy with that- in fact maybe its better to do it that way, so people that are already engaged and trying to source cheaper tickets explore/ sign up to everything they can. However Bellenden Belle and others have pointed out some great venues.

It would be nice to have a thread running on this subject.

[Pugwash]

Churchill Theatre Bromley are very reasonable - some shows have one child half price to every full paying adults.

Just booked for the Buddy Holly Story for February 2014 6 adults and 4 children for just over ?200

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

gg I love you. Emil and the Detectives is one of my fave books - I had no idea about the play. Shall have to scrape the pennies together.

[rupert45]

My son is playing one of the detectives!!

[ths0105]

Hi,

I am selling two tickets for Emil and the Detectives if anyone is interested: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?9,1257595

Thanks!