London is full of things to do but when it comes to the theatre, we are most certainly spoilt for choice. There are an unbelievable number of fantastic shows on at any one time and there’s always something new but unfortunately, tickets can still be above budget for many people.

Well I come bearing good news! There are often great deals on tickets if you know where to look. The even better news is that being young can get you access to even cheaper tickets and you’ve come to the right place to find out what’s on offer.

Whether it’s, musicals, plays, dance, opera or even art that you’re looking for, in this post you’ll find a way to get more affordable tickets for so much.

Before you dive into the list, here are few general things to bear in mind:

• Many of these programmes have a limited number of discounted tickets or they are only available for certain performances, so you often have to be quite prompt to book and read the conditions carefully. I would suggest signing up for emails from the organisation you are interested in so you can be the first to know when new tickets or shows are available. Sometimes you may even get priority booking.

• Sometimes you may also have access to a discount at the shop, bar or cafe and many places even run workshops or other opportunities as part of the scheme.

• Take your ID with you. You’ll often be asked for your ID and may even need it to collect your tickets on the day so it’s always best to be able to prove your youth if needed and avoid any issues. I’m yet to hear of someone being charged for a brand new ticket like they do on trains, but you never know.

I’ve previously made use of countless cheap tickets with excellent seats and sometimes the deals have even introduced me to shows I wouldn’t have thought of seeing before. The best deal I’ve ever made use of was for sears in the stalls at the Royal Opera House. They’re usually £245 but I bought them for £30 – absolute steal!

Go forth and scoop up those deals.

Almeida Theatre

• Under 26s (so 25 and under!)
• £5 tickets
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up

Young Barbican

• 14-25
• £5, £10 or £15 tickets
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up

BFI

• Under 26s (so 25 and under!)
• £3 cinema tickets, £5 festival tickets
• free to sign up

Curzon Cinema

• Under 25s
• £9 peak tickets, £6 off peak tickets
• free to sign up

Donmar Warehouse YOUNG+FREE

• 16-25
• free tickets! But it’s a ballot
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up

English National Opera – Under 35s

• Under 35s
• Under 21s go for free!
• 21-34 – £30 stalls, £20 dress circle, £10 upper circle
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up
  

Garsington Opera – GO≤35 Membership

• 35 and under
• £35 tickets
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• £10 membership

Glyndebourne Opera – Under 30s Membership

• 16-29
• £30 tickets for festival performances
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up

Go Live Theatre Projects

• 15-24 (not 25!)
• £7 tickets (15-18), £15 tickets (19-24), deals are emailed
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up
• Go Live Theatre Projects also has ‘Go Live Grads’ which give you access to £15 tickets after an admin fee of £12.50.

Hampstead Theatre

• Under 30s
• £10 tickets
• no sign up needed

Kiln Theatre

• Under 26s (so 25 and under!)
• £10 theatre tickets
• £5 cinema tickets
• no sign up needed

Young Lyric Membership

• Under 26s (so 25 and under!)
• £5 tickets
• must live in one of ten West London boroughs
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up
  

National Theatre – 16-25 Tickets

• 16-25
• £5 tickets age 16-17
• £10 age 18-25
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up

Park Theatre

• 16-26
• £10 tickets
• £5 rush tickets
• free to sign up

Picturehouse Cinema U25

• 16-25
• Cheaper tickets Monday to Thursday when booking online or on the app
• £5.99 tickets in London
• £4.99 tickets outside of London
• free to sign up

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – BREEZE

• 18-25
• £10 for Band B tickets
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• £10 one of membership joining fee
  

Royal Academy 25 & Under

• 16-25
• half price tickets to all exhibitions
• free to sign up

The Royal Court Theatre

• 30 and Under
• £15 tickets on previews, matinees and Fridays
• can book up to 6 tickets
• no sign up needed

The Royal Shakespeare Company

• 14-25
• £10 tickets
• London and Stratford-upon-Avon
• £5 tickets for previews in Stratford upon Avon
• includes Matilda the musical!
• free to sign up

Sadler’s Wells – Barclays Dance Pass

• 16-30
• £10 tickets at Sadler’s Wells and the Peacock Theatre
• plus one friend within the age bracket
• free to sign up
  

Tate Collective

• 16-25
• £5 tickets to all exhibitions
• plus up to 3 friends within age bracket
• free to sign up

Witness for the Prosecution

• Under 26s (so 25 and under!)
• £25 tickets Tuesday to Thursday
• no sign up needed

YoungVic

• 25 and under & full time students
• £12 tickets
• no sign up needed