The cheap ticket is the one you cannot change your mind about.
LW Theatres, which runs the London Palladium, states it in a single line on its own FAQ:
“Promotional rate tickets including Groups, Lottery, Day Seats, Magical Mondays are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.”
A full price ticket at the same theatre can be moved to another performance of the same show up to 48 hours before, for a £3 per ticket fee. A day seat cannot be moved at all.
That trade runs through every cheap ticket scheme in London, and the terms differ wildly between houses. Here is what each one actually gives you, and what it takes away.
Almeida: £5 if you are 25 or under, and the code is 25UNDER
The best value in London theatre, and it is bookable online with a promo code rather than a queue.
£5 tickets for anyone aged 25 or under, on selected performances of every Almeida production.
Book online with the promo code 25UNDER before selecting seats, or call the box office on 020 7359 4404 and quote “25 and Under”.
The conditions that matter:
Limited to 2 per person. Proof of age required on collection.
Tickets are held back and usually go on sale about three weeks before a production starts previews. So the date to watch is three weeks before previews, not the booking opening.
Audiences 25 and under with access requirements can book £5 tickets for Audio Described, Captioned and Relaxed Environment performances, but those are phone or in person only.
And a detail nobody mentions: a same-day £5 ticket also gets you 20 per cent off food and drink at the Almeida Café & Bar.
The Almeida’s other codes
Islington locals: promo code ISFIRST. If you live or work in N1, N4, N5, N6, N7, N19, EC1 or WC1 you can book discounted tickets on selected productions, with proof of address on collection.
30s & Under, Over 65s and anyone claiming Jobseekers Allowance all book at a discounted rate, with one shared restriction: not applicable on Thursday, Friday or Saturday performances.
Schools: £25 to £35 depending on performance, on Monday to Wednesday evenings and weekday matinees, by phone. Production workshops are £150.
One trap at the end of a run: concessions in the final week are only valid for Access bookings. Everything else goes to full price.
Almeida tickets are exempt from VAT, as a subsidised theatre.
Donmar: £15 standing, released at 10am for a week later
The mechanic here is unusual and most people get the timing wrong.
“£15 standing tickets are available through our Donmar Daily Release. An allocation of tickets will be released every morning, Monday to Saturday, at 10am for performances seven days later.”
Not same-day. Seven days later. So to stand at a Thursday show you set an alarm for 10am the previous Thursday.
Online only, subject to availability, and not available for some performances.
Aged 16 to 35: £20 tickets for most performances, through an exclusive email list, with seats throughout the theatre including the front row. You have to be on the list.
Returned tickets also go back online, and you can ask at the box office in person.
The Donmar credit rule to watch
The Donmar does not refund, but it does something better than most and then attaches a clock to it.
More than 24 hours before, they will try to exchange you to another performance, or credit your account.
Less than 24 hours before, they will only take the tickets back for resale if the performance is sold out, and you hear within 72 hours whether they sold.
Then the part to diarise: credit is valid for 12 months, carries a £2 per ticket admin fee, and after that “any unused credit automatically becomes a donation to the Donmar”. They state plainly that you will not get a reminder.
Every booking carries a £1.75 transaction fee, waived for members.
Young Vic: £12 for the first preview, and £12 for a seat you cannot choose
Two separate £12 routes, and the second is the most interesting ticket in London.
£12 for the first preview of every Main House production. One performance per run, and the cheapest way into a show that has not been reviewed yet.
£12 Lucky Dip tickets, where the seat is a surprise assigned at the start of the performance.
Read the Young Vic’s own warnings before you buy two:
“We cannot guarantee that your party will be positioned together.”
“There is a small chance that you may have a restricted view seat or we may need to move you at the interval.”
So a Lucky Dip pair may not sit together, may not see the whole stage, and may be relocated halfway through. At £12 against a full price Main House seat that is a fair bargain, but it is not a cheap version of a normal ticket.
Under 26s and students: from £15 for all Main House shows, strictly limited.
Over 60s: from £35, with proof of age at collection.
Multibuy: book three or more upcoming shows and members save 20 per cent, non-members 15 per cent.
Groups of nine or more go through the box office, and group concessions are capped at 30 per performance, with anyone beyond that paying full price.
Sadler’s Wells: £10 across four venues if you are 16 to 30
The widest-reaching scheme in London, and it is free to join.
The Barclays Dance Pass gives 16 to 30 year olds £10 tickets to the majority of performances at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, the Peacock Theatre, the Lilian Baylis Studio and Sadler’s Wells East, plus some offsite performances.
Up to 2 tickets per production, and the catch most people miss: “Barclays Dance Pass ticket holders including friends must be aged between 16 and 30.” You cannot take your parents.
Four venues on one pass: Angel for the main theatre and the Lilian Baylis, the West End for the Peacock, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford for Sadler’s Wells East.
The fee trick, and the collection deadline
Two conditions worth more than they look.
“Barclays Dance Pass tickets are exempt from the standard £3.50 transaction fee. Orders which contain non-Barclays Dance Pass tickets will be subject to the standard transaction charge of £3.50.”
So putting one full price ticket in the same basket as your £10 ones reinstates the fee for the whole order. Book them separately.
And the hard one: tickets can be collected from 90 minutes before the performance and “must be collected no later than 30 minutes prior to the start”, with Sadler’s Wells reserving the right to resell them if you do not.
That is a sixty minute collection window with your seat sold out from under you at the end of it. Arrive early.
Proof of age is required, as a passport, photo driving licence or student photo ID showing a clear picture and date of birth, plus the payment card used to buy.
Not valid with any other offer or discount.
Access schemes, which are the most generous tickets in London
Every house runs one and the terms are better than the age schemes.
Sadler’s Wells Access for All: free to join, 50 per cent off your ticket and 50 per cent off an Essential Carer ticket, on all seats in the theatre. Eligibility is evidenced by one of: DLA high or middle rate care, Personal Independence Payment, a Certificate of Visual Impairment, War Disablement Pension, a Disabled Persons Railcard, a CEA Card, a CredAbility Card from Nimbus, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, or any other international disability documentation.
Donmar: access tickets in every price band across the run, and the companion ticket is free. Bookable online, by phone or in person, with access queries by email.
Almeida: deaf and disabled patrons buy discounted tickets for all performances, and a companion ticket at the same rate. By phone or email only.
Young Vic: tickets held for every performance, booked by logging in and setting your access requirements under “other preferences”.
Note that the Donmar and Sadler’s Wells both treat the companion as a separate reduced or free ticket rather than a courtesy, which means it has to be booked, not just turned up with.
The Palladium and the commercial houses
Different world, and the rules reflect it.
LW Theatres runs Lotteries, Day Seats and Magical Mondays across its venues, which include the London Palladium, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Adelphi, the Cambridge, the Gillian Lynne and His Majesty’s.
All of those promotional tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
A full price ticket, by contrast, can be exchanged up to 48 hours before for a £3 per ticket fee, to another performance of the same show only, by calling 020 3925 2998 between 10am and 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.
So at a commercial house the question is not just what you pay. It is whether you are confident you will go.
Which scheme fits you
25 or under: the Almeida at £5 is unbeatable. Then the Young Vic at £15 and Sadler’s Wells at £10.
26 to 30: Sadler’s Wells, at £10 across four venues, is the only one still open to you.
31 to 35: the Donmar’s £20 for 16 to 35s, and the Almeida’s 30s & Under if you are 30.
Over 60: the Young Vic from £35, and the Almeida’s over-65 rate, but not on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Any age, no restrictions: the Donmar Daily Release at £15 standing, and the Young Vic’s £12 first preview and Lucky Dip.
Living in Islington: the Almeida’s ISFIRST code.
Claiming Jobseekers Allowance: the Almeida, outside Thursday to Saturday.
How to plan it
Almeida £5: watch for three weeks before previews, then book with 25UNDER. Two per person.
Donmar £15 standing: 10am, seven days ahead, online only. Not same day.
Young Vic Lucky Dip: do not buy two if sitting together matters.
Barclays Dance Pass: book the £10 tickets in their own order, or the £3.50 fee comes back.
Sadler’s Wells collection: between 90 and 30 minutes before, or they may resell your seat.
Donmar credit: 12 months, then it becomes a donation, with no reminder.
Day seat at a commercial house: you are committed. No refund, no exchange.
Everyone’s companion ticket needs booking, not just bringing.
Almeida Theatre
- Address
- Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, London N1 1TA
- Nearest
- Highbury & Islington on the Victoria line, or Angel on the Northern line, Bank branch
- Hours
- Box office 10am to 7.30pm Monday to Saturday, phones from 11am or midday depending on the day. Closed Sunday
- Booking
- Online with a promo code, by phone on 020 7359 4404, or in person. Access performance concessions are phone and in person only. Theatre Tokens cannot be used online
- Price
- 5 pounds for those aged 25 and under on selected performances, using promo code 25UNDER. Discounted rates for 30s and under, over 65s and Jobseekers Allowance claimants, not on Thursday to Saturday. Islington residents and workers use code ISFIRST. Schools 25 to 35 pounds
- Standing
- A subsidised theatre on Almeida Street off Upper Street, whose productions regularly transfer to the West End
How to get in
The 5 pound under 25 tickets are limited to two per person, released about three weeks before a production starts previews, and require proof of age on collection. A same-day 5 pound ticket also gets 20 per cent off at the cafe and bar. Concessions in the final week of a run are valid for Access bookings only. Tickets are exempt from VAT as a subsidised theatre. Diners Card is not accepted.
Donmar Warehouse
- Address
- 41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX
- Nearest
- Covent Garden and Leicester Square
- Hours
- Box office by phone on 020 3282 3808. Daily Release tickets go online at 10am Monday to Saturday
- Booking
- Online, by phone or in person. Daily Release is online only. Groups of 10 or more welcome, one group per show, at standard prices
- Price
- 15 pounds standing through the Donmar Daily Release, 20 pounds for those aged 16 to 35 via the mailing list. A 1.75 pound transaction fee applies to every booking, waived for members
- Standing
- A small theatre in Seven Dials known for star casting in a very intimate room
How to get in
The Daily Release puts 15 pound standing tickets online at 10am every morning Monday to Saturday, for performances seven days later rather than the same day. No refunds are given: with more than 24 hours notice they exchange or credit, and with less they only take tickets back if the performance is sold out. Account credit lasts 12 months, carries a 2 pound per ticket admin fee, and then automatically becomes a donation with no reminder sent. Access companion tickets are free.
Young Vic
- Address
- Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LZ
- Nearest
- Waterloo and Southwark
- Hours
- Box office on 020 7922 2922
- Booking
- Online, by phone or in person. Groups of nine or more through the box office, with group concessions capped at 30 per performance
- Price
- 12 pounds for the first preview of every Main House production and 12 pounds for Lucky Dip tickets. From 15 pounds for under 26s and students, from 35 pounds for over 60s. Multibuy on three or more shows saves 15 per cent, or 20 per cent for members
- Standing
- A theatre on The Cut in Waterloo, a short walk from Tate Modern, with a bar and a Main House programme
How to get in
Lucky Dip tickets at 12 pounds come with a seat assigned at the start of the performance: parties are not guaranteed to sit together, the view may be restricted, and you may be moved at the interval. The first preview of every Main House production is 12 pounds. Access tickets are held for every performance and booked by setting access requirements in your account.
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
- Address
- Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN
- Nearest
- Angel
- Hours
- Ticket office Monday to Saturday. Barclays Dance Pass tickets are collected from 90 minutes before the performance and no later than 30 minutes before
- Booking
- Online or at the ticket office only. Barclays Dance Pass is free to join. Access for All is free to join and requires evidence of eligibility
- Price
- 10 pounds for Barclays Dance Pass holders aged 16 to 30, up to two per production, across all four venues. A 3.50 pound transaction fee applies to standard orders. Access for All members get 50 per cent off, and the same off an Essential Carer ticket
- Standing
- The national home of dance, running four venues: Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the Lilian Baylis Studio in Angel, the Peacock Theatre in the West End and Sadler’s Wells East in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
How to get in
Every Barclays Dance Pass ticket holder, friends included, must be aged 16 to 30. Pass tickets are exempt from the 3.50 pound transaction fee, but an order containing any non-pass ticket is charged it, so book them separately. Tickets must be collected between 90 and 30 minutes before the start or Sadler’s Wells may resell them, and proof of age plus the payment card used is required.
The London Palladium
- Address
- 8 Argyll Street, Soho, London W1F 7TF
- Nearest
- Oxford Circus on the Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines, and Bond Street on the Central and Jubilee. Step-free access at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street
- Hours
- Varies by production. Box office line 020 3925 2998, 10am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday
- Booking
- Online, by phone or in person. Full price tickets can be exchanged up to 48 hours before for a 3 pound per ticket fee, to another performance of the same show only
- Price
- Varies by production. Lottery, Day Seats and Magical Mondays run across LW Theatres venues
- Standing
- A large variety theatre just off Oxford Circus, running musicals, concerts, pantomime and special events
How to get in
Promotional rate tickets, including Groups, Lottery, Day Seats and Magical Mondays, are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, while full price tickets can be moved for 3 pounds up to 48 hours ahead. So the cheap ticket is the one you cannot change your mind about. Nearby drop-off points are on Argyll Street or Great Marlborough Street.
Where to go next
The West End shows page covers what is actually on, the Official London Theatre Ticket Booth (formerly TKTS) covers on-the-day deals in Leicester Square, and the National Theatre runs its own scheme on the same river bank as the Young Vic.
Pre-theatre dinner covers eating first, and Covent Garden and Soho cover the streets the theatres sit on.
Questions we get asked
How do you get 5 pound theatre tickets in London?
The Almeida Theatre offers £5 tickets to anyone aged 25 or under on selected performances of every production. Book online with the promo code 25UNDER before selecting seats, or call 020 7359 4404 and quote 25 and Under. Tickets are limited to 2 per person, require proof of age on collection, and usually go on sale about three weeks before a production starts previews.
What is the Donmar Daily Release?
An allocation of £15 standing tickets released online every morning, Monday to Saturday, at 10am, for performances seven days later rather than the same day. It is online only, subject to availability, and not available for some performances. The Donmar also offers £20 tickets to anyone aged 16 to 35 through its mailing list.
What is the Barclays Dance Pass?
A free pass for 16 to 30 year olds giving £10 tickets to most performances at Sadler's Wells Theatre, the Peacock Theatre, the Lilian Baylis Studio and Sadler's Wells East, up to two per production. Everyone using the tickets, including friends, must be aged 16 to 30, and proof of age plus the payment card used is required on collection.
What is a Young Vic Lucky Dip ticket?
A £12 ticket where the seat is a surprise assigned at the start of the performance. The Young Vic warns that your party may not be seated together, that there is a small chance of a restricted view, and that you may need to be moved at the interval. The Young Vic also sells the first preview of every Main House production at £12.
Can you exchange a day seat or lottery ticket?
At LW Theatres venues including the London Palladium, no. Promotional rate tickets including Groups, Lottery, Day Seats and Magical Mondays are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Full price tickets at the same theatres can be exchanged up to 48 hours before, for another performance of the same show, with a £3 per ticket fee.
What theatre discounts are there for over 60s in London?
The Young Vic offers tickets from £35 for anyone aged 60 and over on Main House shows, with proof of age at collection. The Almeida offers a discounted rate for over 65s, though not on Thursday, Friday or Saturday performances. Both have strictly limited availability.
Do London theatres give free carer tickets?
It varies. The Donmar gives a free companion ticket with an access booking. Sadler's Wells gives 50% off both the access ticket and an Essential Carer ticket through its free Access for All scheme. The Almeida sells a companion ticket at the same discounted rate as the access ticket. All of them need the companion booked rather than simply brought along.
Are there theatre discounts if you are unemployed?
The Almeida offers a discounted rate to anyone claiming Jobseekers Allowance, on performances other than Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with proof of eligibility required when attending. Concessions in the final week of a run are restricted to Access bookings only.
Written by Robert J Wills, no. 333 in the guide.
Last checked 6 October 2026 against the venues' own published information. Nobody pays to appear here and we take no bookings.
