Ensemble Theatre Group

iPod in hand as I flick through the tracks I stop, the music begins to fill me head as I remember that same feeling as I did maybe 20 years ago.

London in the eighties there is nothing quite like going to London to see a musical, the excitement of that childhood trip I remember well. Early mornings here in Liverpool and the anticipation of the Pullman train journey down to Euston station in London when my father had to go on business.

My mother, sister and I were promised a trip shopping in London coupled with a musical. A sense of anticipation grew as the day went on, arriving at the Cumberland hotel while mother adorned in here fur coat discussed what seats were available for which shows. I guess it was about 1982 and a host of Andrew Lloyd Webber productions were being staged in the West End, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard, The Phantom of the Opera coupled with the rock musical Time or Mutiny on the Bounty. How times have changed.

Then little girls wore long dresses and ladies in cocktail dresses whilst the men wore black tie and evening jackets a really sense of occasion and like all young children my sister and I simply loved getting dresses up.

Finally the moment arrived seated in the centre circle waiting for the curtain to raise my sister on my left with mum and dad seated to my right , opera glasses in hand star struck waiting for the orchestra to play that first note. It mattered not which musical or even which theatre just those stage lights and that compelling tune that fills the theatre. On this occasion it happened to Sunset Boulevard and the curtained began to raise.

I knew from the very first time I watched my first musical that I would be a life long theatre goer and would dream of one day performing upon that stage. The music filled my head and my heart and the show began. There is no experience quiet like it and the glamour of the eighties theatre nights were there for everyone too see.

Before you knew where we were it was the interval, as the ladies and gentlemen flowed into the bar there was a silver tray with the name Warwick upon it our order already for us at the bar in the theatre, refreshments for all . Cigarettes and cigars lit the room filled with chatter of the performances while the air filled with the smell of cigars.

Five minutes ten minutes who knows soon we were seated back in our velvet seats again waiting for the final encounter. I will never forget the performance of an aged Hollywood star trying to deal with the end of the silent era a wonderful story moving and yet enlightening. The music seemed timeless and the experience will forever stick in my memory, ever show as memorable as the last ever performance unique.

Finally the audience raised the roof with applause standing clapping endlessness as the performers re-entered the stage to take there curtain call louder and louder the theatre rang with applause. Peering over the centre circle to take one last look at the stage I can remember that feeling a slight tear in my eye produced by happiness and a slight yawn as it was way past my bedtime. A family experience that once taken you would never forget.

As I lay in my bed that night I can remember seeing the lights and hearing the music melodically soothing me to sleep.

It is hard to find regular tickets to Broadway shows but an even more difficult task is to find last minute theatre tickets. Many people find themselves in the Big Apple unexpectedly and most tourists are satisfied until they have watched a show on the Broadway.

Getting Last Minute Theatre Tickets

If you are in NYC and need last minute theatre tickets, there are several methods through which the tickets can be obtained. Most tourists find it easy to secure the day of the performance tickets from the TKTS booths that are operated by the Theatre Development Fund. Most tickets are offered at a discount ranging from 25-75% of the face value. One of the TKTS booths is in Times Square and the other is located at the Lower Manhattan Theatre Centre at South Street Seaport. The booths have a list of the shows for which tickets are available with them.

You can also check if the show that you wish to watch has any rush or standing room only tickets. Some shows have a lottery conducted about 3 hours prior to a performance and winners are awarded tickets at great discounts. To avail that, you need to be present to collect the tickets personally.

If you are desperate for last minute theatre tickets, you should try and find if there are any discount tickets available at the box office. These tickets are offered at a discount as they offer obstructed views. Standing room only tickets come at a discount too, but you have to watch the show standing at the back of the theatre.

You can also find last minute theatre tickets by waiting at the box office for returned tickets as well as the day-of-the-performance tickets. There is no guarantee that you will get the tickets but there is no harm in trying.

The local scalper can get you the tickets too. You may find them at online auctions as well but they come with a risk as you have no way of knowing if the tickets that you have paid for are genuine or not. You may end up denting your pockets for a fake ticket!

The best place to get last minute theatre tickets is from an authorized ticket broker. They have a huge inventory and can get you last minute theatre tickets even for shows that have been sold out! You can go online and make your request or give them a call. They will secure the tickets and have them delivered to you as soon as possible (hours prior to the show). The tickets that a registered broker can procure for you are genuine and come with a guarantee. You need not fear about getting counterfeit tickets.

You just have to make an online payment and then make plans to enjoy a memorable evening at the Great White Way. If your friends are coming for a visit and you wish to treat them to a Broadway musical, then you can always find great tickets even at the last minute at an authorized broker’s website. So from now on, you can quit worrying about getting the tickets. Just relax and enjoy a great show by securing tickets from an authorized ticket broker.