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Post by londonpostie on Dec 30, 2019 21:24:24 GMT
Indeed, ftfadia - and suppose those of us who also track those added transport costs! I didn't mind checking my annual total for tickets as recording this enables me to calculate the average ticket cost, but I only look at the end of the year and don't attach any views to the amount either way. Theatre, cinema and long-distance walking are my 3 main hobbies, the last probably the cheapest of the trio, so anything I spend on any of those activities is intended to bring me pleasure and paid out in that hope (and expectation), though it doesn't always pay off and theatre is probably the least reliable form of expense as so much depends on personal taste - and whether I can stay awake when it comes to it, which is a perennial frustration. I don't begrudge anything I spend and don't stint myself but I rarely splurge either and am definitely of the occasions when I spend more on a ticket and feel that the production really has to deliver in return. I use all the methods others have mentioned and spend as much as I need to, but no more, in order to have the experience I prefer. Quite often I get hints of what it's like; a woman at the Lyric from Oslo who comes over for Chehov and Ibsen, an older man at the Young Vic from Coventry who stays in a hostel at London Bridge, a lady from Dublin (at the Piccadilly) who comes over for a cultural binge 2-3 times a year. Americans by the hatful flying in for a week of AirBnB and a theatrical feast. So many from all over.
I couldn't afford it if there were travel costs, let alone accommodation to find. I do feel fortunate to have just so much on my doorstep but it is my choice to not take conventional holidays and to live at London prices, esp. the rent. I'm sure those who live elsewhere enjoy their garden, or their pets, and easier access to the countryside, and so on.
I was thinking the other day, the older I get the less likely it seems I will leave London.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2019 21:32:44 GMT
My average ticket price was £26.80, which surprised me as I thought it would be much higher. I refuse to factor in travel costs though - the London ones involve train fares which have gone up a lot this year, and everything else involves driving and parking. Sheffield, my most local theatre, has ridiculously expensive parking, often more than the cost of the ticket.
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Post by showgirl on Dec 31, 2019 5:17:36 GMT
Oddly, I found that my annual expenditure on travel was within a few pence of the amount spent on theatre tix - but travel (mainly by train, using my railcard, though with the occasional shockingly expensive bus fare) includes journeys unrelated to theatre, eg returning from a long walk, having set out on foot. I haven't factored in hotel costs either, for overnight or weekend stays entirely for theatre, let alone those of holidays when the holiday has been the point but enhanced by any opportunity to visit a regional theatre.
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Post by viserys on Dec 31, 2019 6:47:03 GMT
Agree there Dawnstar - while I've on occasion been lucky to get a cheap AND great bargain, such as the £15 slips at Dear Evan Hansen and £20 for the front row of the Upper Circle at Joseph (Palladium), I would always rather pay more for good seats than to sit at the back of the balcony or some such. When I have faith in a new show, I book ahead at full price (such as Prince of Egypt) just to be sure to enjoy it. As I need to travel from Germany and plan my trips a long time ahead, I also can't take advantage of weekday offers or many other last-minute bargains (although it does allow me to dayseat at least). Still, I think it's all relative. I bought the most expensive ticket of my life this year - $250 for the front row at Bat out of Hell in New York, and it was worth every single cent to me. Similarly I didn't regret paying full price for Come From Away at the Phoenix (£70) because it was such a moving show and I'm happy to support the producers of this little gem (unlike throwing money into the maw of global corporations slapping lame uninspired movie adaptations onto the stage). At the same time I'm relieved I only paid £15 for DEH, because I didn't like it much and full price for a stalls seat had felt like a waste of money. So, not, tallying my average this year, because the insane amount I spent on Bat in New York and ticket costs on Broadway in general would be too frightening. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 31, 2019 9:33:09 GMT
I'm fortunate to live in London and so most of theatre going is on my doorstep. I'm quite a stickler for having my dinner at work and trying not to buy theatre wine.
My folks live in Yorkshire and so I can do 'bits n bobs' and combine it with happy families.
My other hobby is hiking and unless it's overseas then I won't over 20 squid for a train ticket.
It is possible to keep the costs down but takes a bit of dedication.
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Post by sophizoey on Dec 31, 2019 13:39:49 GMT
My average was £19.03 for 58 shows, helped by a lot of gifts from my very generous Mum, being a young person/student and the fact I'll get an overnight coach to London just to dayseat instead of getting the train in the next morning (dayseat + coach is a lot cheaper than pre booking and train, even if it is twice as tiring). However, drove up by the fact I took a liking to Six this year which is quite expensive for the length and location.
Next year will probably push the £20 mark if my pre booked shows are anything to go on.
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 31, 2019 14:04:49 GMT
Saw 105 but only paid for 79 shows - with an average ticket price of £10.93 per ticket.
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Post by Dawnstar on Dec 31, 2019 17:02:07 GMT
I think the main thing that niggles is the number of shows I saw that I didn't really enjoy. This year I'd snap up any "good deal" even on shows I was only mildly interested in, and on the other hand didn't go to see some shows that I might genuinely enjoy if they had a higher ticket price. I think in 2020 I'll need to be more discerning with what I spend on, and I guess it's to be seen whether that ends up amounting to more or less ££. That is a good point. Why see lots of shows cheaply if you don't enjoy them? (That's a general question, not expecting you to justify it personally.) While I know I spent a lot of money on tickets this year, of the 105 performances I saw the only ones I really didn't enjoy were one play, one part of a ballet triple bill, and one improv show (and obviously improv is always going to be hit & miss!).
Some people have also mentioned transport costs. Another reason I don't usually buy really cheap tickets up in the gods is that it costs me a minimum of £16.25 train fare for everything I see in London (which is the majority of my theatregoing) so I don't see the point in spending that train fare money, plus 2 hours travel each way, to then sit so far away I can't see the acting & therefore don't enjoy it. If I can't afford a near enough seat then I'd rather not see something at all.
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Post by david on Dec 31, 2019 18:13:06 GMT
Not normally one for keeping theatre spreadsheets, I decided out of curiosity to set one up. To my surprise after seeing 102 shows this year, my average ticket price is £27.
The ATG card has been well used this year and has definitely helped in keeping the average price down (particularly for regional theatre stuff as well as of few of the Jamie Lloyd Pinter plays) along with making great use of the £10 Donmar Circle seats.
Certainly for next year, a big aim is to reduce the average price. Thankfully I got some SOLT vouchers for Christmas, so this should help in achieving this aim. Also, the Menier Chocolate Factory Sunday matinees, whilst being great for Sunday theatre trips before heading back up North where I found some of the higher ticket costs. These visits maybe knocked on the head next year unless something special is announced or cheap tickets are available.
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