It’s simple –
- Choose what you want to see, where, and when. (from the calendar on the right).
- To reserve a ticket or ask about ticket availability call the theatre or go to the box office at the theatre (we’re sorry but you can’t book online).
- Arrive at the theatre at least 30 minutes before the published time that the show starts with your ID to collect your tickets.
How do I choose what to see and where to go?
Check out the events calendar (on the right) and theatres’ websites to read more about the shows on offer.
How old do I have to be?
Anyone aged 25 or under at the time of the show is eligible for a free ticket but check with individual theatres for specific age guidance and any restrictions for particular shows.
How many tickets can I book?
You can get up to six free tickets per booking for you and your friends who are under 26, but you will need to give their names when you book. Make sure they all know they need to bring ID with them to collect their tickets.
The only condition is that you provide some basic information, to ensure that only young people are benefiting from this offer, and so we can monitor how the scheme is working. The theatres will need:-
- your name, full address, including postcode (this must be a UK address ,we can’t accept anything else, like a hotel or business postcode)
- your date of birth (you will need to bring ID as proof of age when you collect your ticket)
You will also be asked to give:-
- your mobile phone number and/or an email address so that we can keep you updated about shows and ticket offers you might be interested in and perhaps ask you how you enjoyed your theatre experience.
What ID will you accept?
Anything that shows your name and age, for example, a driving license, PASS card, NUS card, valid passport, 16-25 railcard.
What happens if I can’t make it on the night to see the show?
If you can’t make it, please call the theatre to let them know. If you don’t do this we can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to get free tickets in the other participating venues.
If I can’t make it to see the show can I send my friend along to take my ticket instead?
We’re sorry but tickets can’t be transferred from one person to another. You would need to call the theatre to cancel your booking. Your friend can make their own booking if tickets are still available.
What happens if I want to go to the theatre again?
You can get one free ticket per year at each of these 12 theatres, and after that you can either:
- take advantage of the other discounts for people aged 25 and under available at all of these theatres – which will be no more than £10 each and as little as £3 at some places.
- Or get a free ticket at another of the theatres taking part in this scheme in London or across the country – visit www.anightlessordinary.org.uk for more details
What happens if the theatre runs out of free tickets on the night I want to come?
Tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited and subject to availability. If you don’t have any luck today please check again soon or have a look at what’s on at another theatre.
We hope you have A Night Less Ordinary!
A Night Less Ordinary is an Arts Council England scheme in association with Metro, which will provide 618,000 free theatre tickets to anyone under 26 in more than 200 venues across England. For more information about other theatres you can visit for free in London and across the country visit www.anightlessordinary.org.uk
My daughter and Son in law are staying in hammersmith on Saturday 15th of August and would love to take advantage of the under 26 free theatre tickets but are finding it difficult to find any.
August is a quiet time of year for the theatres in this particular group which might explain why you’re having difficulty finding free ticket availability at the moment. Many theatres ‘go dark’ and don’t have shows on at the moment as they enter their annual maintenance period while lots of people are away on holiday, and are gearing up to open their new seasons in September.
The two theatres closest to you (Lyric Hammersmith and The Bush) are both in this situation, although The Bush’s current show has it’s closing night tomorrow (suddenlossofdignity.com) – so I suspect it may be sold out.
The free tickets offered through this scheme are limited in number, and of course are very popular, so it’s often necessary to book ahead as far as possible. Young people can sign up for our fortnightly email updates to get advance notice of free tickets as they become available, to help them plan ahead.
You can also check out the Arts Council’s website http://www.anightlessordinary.org.uk to find out more about what’s on elsewhere in London beyond this group of 12 theatres.