West End Shows to See On a Budget

Open-Air Theatres

As the weather turns warmer, there’s nothing better than enjoying a bit of theatre in the great outdoors, which is why open-air theatres are so popular this time of year - and you can enjoy them on a budget too!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe

Artwork provided by production.

Don’t miss this electrifying staging of Shakespeare’s playful, chaotic comedy about spells, transformations, and the fickle nature of love. Four young Athenian lovers, caught in a love quadrangle, flee into an enchanted forest, where they become the victim of a love spell by the mischievous fairies that dwell within it. Tickets from £7.

Insider Tip: I did my Masters in Shakespeare Studies at the Globe, which involved spending a lot of time in the playhouse, so trust me when I say this: the best seats in the house are the cheapest ones. For as low as £7, you can stand in the Yard, within touching distance of the stage, catching every bit of action and emotion from an intimate proximity. Globe Theatre plays are usually heavily interactive as well, especially the comedies, so you may find the actors moving through the audience, pulling you in the play, or occasionally throwing things at you. It’s a great way to be immersed in the story.

For more plays at the Globe, check out all the Shakespeare Plays to Watch in London in 2026.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Tickets

Sherlock Holmes at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Artwork provided by production.

Step into Victorian London and experience a thrilling mystery filled with deadly, high-stakes chases and shocking twists, as Holmes and Watson go against the clock to unveil the mastermind behind a deadly conspiracy. Lovers of Sherlock Holmes and the detective genre will fall in love with this brand new original story in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Tickets from £18.

Insider tip: Like the Globe, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is another glorious open-air theatre, perfect for these warmer days when you can enjoy the sunshine while losing yourself in a play. You can grab Sherlock Holmes tickets for as cheap as £18 on our website, along with all kinds of offers on some of the most highly anticipated new shows. Check out the 10 Best New London Theatre Openings in May for more ideas. For new shows, it’s always a great idea to book preview performances, which take place before opening night, as these tend to be cheaper.

Sherlock Holmes Tickets

Family Shows

A trip to the theatre is the perfect family activity, especially if you have young children and want to introduce them to the magic of theatre. But for families with multiple children, theatre tickets can turn into a huge expense - luckily there are plenty of deals out there.

Hercules at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

The cast of Hercules. Photo provided by production.

Disney’s Hercules is brought to life on the West End stage, inspired by the beloved animated film and rooted in ancient Greek mythology. With its larger-than-life energy, humour, and heart, this spectacular show is sure to win over gods and mortals alike. Tickets from £24.

Insider Tip: Disney shows sometimes offer some great deals, such as two for one tickets and Magical Monday ticket releases with special prices. It’s a great way to treat the whole family to the magic of a show like Hercules without spending an arm and a leg. Check out our Special Offers page to find out more.

Hercules Tickets

Blockbuster Shows

Whether you live in London or you’re just visiting, everyone has at least one big West End show on your bucket list. But you don’t have to break the bank to catch one of the big, popular shows that everyone’s talking about - you just need to know where and when to look.

The Hunger Games: On Stage at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre

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Conor McPherson adapts The Hunger Games, the thrilling saga about tyranny and revolution, based on the best-selling series by Suzanne Collins, in which teenage heroine Katniss Everdeen fights for survival in the deadly Hunger Games. Panem comes to life in the purpose-built, state-of-the-art Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. Tickets from £33.

Insider tip: You might assume a big show like this one, attached to a huge franchise, with soaring production costs, might be outpriced for most people. But you can dodge these prices by opting for cheaper seats without sacrificing your enjoyment of the performance. The seating plan for The Hunger Games is laid out according to the districts of Panem - you can find out more about this in our article on Everything You Need to Know About The Hunger Games: On Stage. District 11 (the agriculture district, and one of the poorest ones!) offers the cheapest seats in the higher-up Circle section, with great panoramic views of the massive stage, which is built in the round. I recently went to see The Hunger Games and was struck by how immersive the theatre was, giving you a great experience from every angle.

The Hunger Games Tickets

The Mousetrap at St Martin’s Theatre

The 2025 cast of The Mousetrap. Image provided by production.

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the ultimate classic whodunit that has kept audiences on the edge of their seats for decades with its suspenseful plot and surprising twists. Experience the thrill of live mystery and see why this record-breaking play remains a timeless masterpiece of London's theatre scene. Tickets from £22.

Insider tip: Longer-running shows have generally paid off their initial production costs, which means they can afford to offer competitive pricing, especially when they’re competing against new shows for attention. So don’t be scared off by the big staples of the West End like The Mousetrap, Mamma Mia, The Phantom of the Opera, or Les Miserables. Go for weekday or matinee shows for a better chance at nabbing those cheaper tickets.

The Mousetrap Tickets

What about new shows?

Skip the FOMO and don’t miss out on the newest, most exciting shows in the West End because you’re worried about ticket prices.

Teeth n Smiles at the Duke of York’s Theatre

Artwork provided by production.

Rebecca Lucy Taylor stars in this revival of David Hare's defiant, powerful play about rock 'n' roll and counterculture, in a performance that will enchant and ensnare audiences with a poignant, stirring story about love for music and the perils of fame. Tickets from £14.

Insider tip: Shows that are closing soon (like Teeth n Smiles, which closes on 6th June) tend to drop their prices in the final weeks of their run in order to make sure the show goes out with a full house. Check out our list of Theatre Shows Closing in 2026 for more ideas. Just be aware that for the more popular shows, tickets may sell out fast, so you’ll need to book in advance.

Teeth n Smiles Tickets

Discounts, Promotions, and Offers

There’s also a plethora of promotions, discounts, and offers out there for you to take advantage of. For example, London Theatre Week is the West End’s biggest promotion and a goldmine for discounted tickets. Our Spring Theatre Sale is also now live, offering deals on all the hottest West End shows this season. Check out our Special Offers page as well for cheap theatre tickets for all the biggest shows. 

Here’s a taste of some of the most exciting shows on offer.

The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre

Vanessa Williams in The Devil Wears Prada. Photo provided by production.

The iconic 2006 movie about fashion, ambition and the world's most terrifying boss is now dazzling West End audiences in this musical with music from Elton John, starring the fabulous Vanessa Williams as the formidable Miranda Priestley. We have some exclusive offers on selected tickets, so don’t miss your chance to step into the glamorous world of New York fashion.

The Devil Wears Prada Tickets

Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum

The cast of Kinky Boots. Photo by Matt Crockett.

The beloved British musical comes home after strutting its way across the UK. Starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe and featuring music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this story of the unlikely team-up between a shoemaker and a drag queen is sure to leave a smile on your face. You can get up to 40% off on selected tickets with some great prices on certain days of the week.

Kinky Boots Tickets

Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre

Artwork provided by production.

Matilda The Musical takes audiences of all ages on an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, heart, and the inspiring tale of a courageous little girl with extraordinary powers, based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl. Check our website for exclusive savings on selected tickets.

Matilda Tickets

Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre

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Lionel Burt's timeless musical Oliver! is back in the West End, bringing Charles Dickens’ classic tale to life, filled with larger than life characters, jaw-dropping sets and choreography, and unforgettable songs. Get up to 34% off on selected tickets.

Oliver Tickets

Oh, Mary! At the Trafalgar Theatre

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Comedy legend Cole Escola’s dark, off-beat, and utterly outrageous historical comedy is a gleefully anachronistic take on American history, which follows Mary Todd Lincoln, wife to Abraham Lincoln: a woman who's feisty, thorny, drunken, and utterly unforgettable. Oh, Mary! is our show of the month, with up to 41% off selected tickets.

Oh Mary Tickets

We believe theatre should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial background, so don’t let your budget keep you from enjoying the best the West End has to offer.