Going to the theatre doesn’t have to empty your bank balance, in fact, many theatres run schemes and programmes especially for young people, to help you access the theatre.
From discounted tickets to complete freebies, these are just some of the theatres, organisations and shows who can help you. Please note, it’s worth taking your proof of age/student ID card along when picking up tickets, as the majority of theatres will ask to see it when you collect your tickets.
Almeida Theatre
The Almeida Theatre offers £5 tickets to anyone aged 25 or under on selected performances for each of their productions. If you have access requirements, you can also book the Audio Described and Captioned Performances for the same price.
You can either book tickets online (entering 25UNDER in the promo code before selecting your seats) or call the Box Office on 020 7359 4404 and quote “25 and Under”. You can buy a maximum of two tickets and proof of age will be required when collecting tickets.
If you’re aged between 26-30 you can book £15 concession tickets on Monday – Thursday evenings & Wednesday & Saturday matinees.
In addition to discounted tickets, you can also enjoy 20% off all food and drink at the Almeida Cafe and Bar when you show a same-day Under-25 £5 ticket.
Arcola Theatre
If you are aged 26 or under, or a student aged 27 and over, you can get Standard tickets reduced to £15 or Value tickets reduced to £10. Make sure to carry ID with you when collecting your tickets.
Barbican
If you’re aged between 14-25, you’re eligible to join the Young Barbican scheme. This provides its members with discounted tickets, as well as access to exclusive events and creative opportunities.
Each year this scheme offers £5, £10 and £15 tickets for art, film, music, theatre and dance that’s being shown at the Barbican. And the good news is, it’s completely free to join and you pay no booking fees!
And to make sure your friends don’t miss out either, once you’re a Young Barbican member, you can also buy a ticket for a friend (as long as they’re also aged 14–25) for the same price.
You’ll also get 10% off at the Barbican shop and 20% off at the Barbican Kitchen and cafes!
Bush Theatre
If you’re under 30 or in full-time education, you’re eligible for the Bush Connect ticket. This will get you £10 off a standard price ticket for productions in the Theatre, and £5 off standard tickets for Studio production. As well as money off tickets, Bush Connect will also get you 10% off at their Library Bar, special ticket offers and notifications of giveaways along with a dedicated monthly newsletter including exciting career opportunities and more!
Check out the Bush Theatre website for more information.
Donmar Warehouse
If you’re aged between 16 -25 years, you can see shows at the Donmar Warehouse for free, by signing up to their YOUNG+FREE list.
The theatre gives out thousands of free tickets to young people every year under this scheme. YOUNG+FREE tickets are offered via an online ballot to people signed up to their YOUNG+FREE list. Ballot winners will be notified at the end of each month with details of how to claim their tickets, with a limit of two tickets per person, per production.
YOUNG+Free tickets are also available for audio-described and captioned performances, simply email or call box office to get your account set up.
English National Opera
If you fancy entering the world of opera and dance, then the English National Opera (ENO) productions at the London Coliseum run a range of schemes to make a night at the theatre cheaper for you.
The ENO programme offers a variety of specially priced tickets for Under 35s. A free scheme to join, tickets are priced at £35 for stall seats, £25 for dress circle, £15 for the upper circle. Members can purchase two discounted tickets per show (as long as your friend is under 30 or a full-time student), and can also buy programmes for half price.
If that wasn’t enough, the ENO is the first national opera company to give free tickets to audience members under the age of 21. These free tickets are for a Friday, Saturday and opening night performances of any ENO opera in the Balcony area of the theatre. Although it’s worth noting that if you are aged 5-16 you will need to be accompanied by an adult. To book these tickets you need to call 020 7845 9218 and the theatre’s Box Office team will help you from there. More information is available on the theatre’s website.
The ENO also offer concessionary standby tickets. These are subject to availability and will be confirmed from midday on the day of the performance. If standby tickets are offered, they are available to senior citizens, students, Universal Credit recipients, and Westminster City Save holders. Standby tickets must be booked in person in the three hours before a performance.
Go Live Theatre Projects (previously Mousetrap Theatre Projects) is a charity that uses the power of theatre to create inspiring experiences and unlock possibilities for young people.
Go Live is their independent theatregoing club for young people aged 15-24. Free to join, members can see a variety of top London shows for just £7 per ticket (for those aged 15-18) and £15 (for those 19-24).
If you are aged 25-29, you can join their Go Live Grads programme. Its £10 admin fee will give you access to great ticket deals to top shows for just £15!
Hampstead Theatre
For every show, every performance, Hampstead Theatre offers £10 tickets for Under 30s and students for both Main Stage and Downstairs productions. You can book these tickets online, by phone or in person, and collect your tickets at the Box Office on the day of the performance, bringing along photo ID as proof of your age.
You’ll want to move quickly though, as there are limited numbers of £10 tickets available for each performance.
Lyric Hammersmith
The Young Lyric scheme provides free opportunities and discounted tickets for young people living in one of the 10 West London boroughs (Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames, Wandsworth and Westminster).
The Young Lyric membership is divided into two categories:
- Under 18s: Young Lyric Membership – Parents/carers can book online on behalf of their children.
- 18-25s: Next Generation Lyric Membership – You can book onto all their classes online.
Young Lyric members can book £5 tickets to Main House shows, gain access to low cost/free courses and masterclasses, have access to the Lyric Hammersmith’s practice spaces, and more opportunities throughout the year.
Matilda The Musical’s TikTok tickets
Enjoy the Roald Dahl classic like never before with Matilda The Musical. Through the RSC’s partnership with TikTok, 16 tickets are reserved for 16-25 year olds and are available at every performance for just £10. These are available in advance if you sign up to the RSC mailing list, or on the day of performance in person from 10am at the Cambridge Theatre Box Office. If you pre-book online, you will need to collet your tickets at the box office.
National Theatre
The National Theatre offer discounted tickets 16-25-year-olds. For £10 for 18-25 year olds and £5 for 16-17 year olds, tickets are available through their magic link for all productions in the Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman theatres, all year round.
They also offer In Focus workshops suitable for 13-25 year olds to explore every aspect of theatre-making, from writing and producing to lighting and sound.
Park Theatre
Park Theatre’s Park Up scheme offers free membership to anyone between the ages of 16-26. This membership will get you £10 tickets for any perfomance (Band C only in Park200), £5 on the day rush tickets on selected shows, as well as 10% discount in their Café Bar.
To join the scheme or to find out more details, visit the Park Theatre’s website.
Royal Court Theatre
The Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court offers several ways for young people to save money on their shows.
This includes:
- £12 Mondays – All seats in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs and Jerwood Theatre Upstairs are £12 for Monday performances. You can purchase them from the theatre’s website from 9am on the day of the performance.
- Concession discounts for students – This takes £5 off Band A and B tickets in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, including previews and matinees. ID will be required and concessions aren’t available for Monday performances.
- Under 27s – A limited number of £15 tickets are allocated to Young Court Friends. This is a free membership scheme for young people aged 27 and under.
- 10p standing – A limited number of standing places from 6pm on the day of the each Jerwood Theatre Downstairs performance for 10p each. These places may not always be available, the views are restricted and tickets are subject to availability.
Pop over to the website and see what’s on offer!
Royal Opera House
Join the thousands of young people making the most of the Young ROH scheme. Get up to 2 £30 Young ROH tickets for Monday – Thursday performances on the Main Stage. They also host Young ROH nights, with performances exclusively available to Young ROH members, or performances in which the entire amphitheatre has been reserved for Young ROH members.
Sadler’s Wells
Those aged 16 – 30 years old can enjoy £10 tickets to see the best dance shows in the world with Barclays Dance Pass. What’s more, it’s free to join, you don’t pay transaction fees and you can even bring a friend aged 16 – 30 for the same price.
Standby tickets are available for students and anyone under the age of 16. Priced from £20-£25 for the best available place, your seat allocation is subject to availability.
Theatre Royal Stratford East
Young people living in East London can access Theatre Royal Stratford East’s Royalty Scheme, offering £15 tickets to their productions.
The Old Vic
Five weeks before the first preview of a show, The Old Vic releases £10 tickets under the PwC £10 Previews scheme. At least half the number of seats in the theatre become part of this scheme, spread across the full auditorium. Usually available for all main stage productions, it’s limited to two tickets per transaction, and are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. These tickets go quick, so it’s worth signing up to the mailing list to find out the exact date and time of these tickets being released. These aren’t limited to any age bracket, so feel free to take your not-so-youthful friend or family member too!
Young Vic
If you live or study in the Lambeth or Southwark area of London, then the Young Vic is the place for you.
Along with offering a free ticket scheme for young people from this area, this scheme also runs workshops and holiday projects, offers backstage passes, and runs introduction to theatre courses. To find out more, drop them an email or pop along to the Young Vic box office.
And if you’re not from the area, don’t worry! The Young Vic offers a number of other concessions including a number of £12 tickets for every production for full time students and people aged 25 and under. This discount has a strictly limited availability, so booking in advance is recommended and please remember, you will be asked for proof of age or full-time student status when you collect your tickets.