Queueing for same-day tickets to National Theatre in London

[Larry H]

Anyone know how early in the morning one needs to join the queue to be likely to get day-of-performance tickets to the NT in London? We'd love to see Simon Russell Beale as King Lear, but the show is sold out through May 28 (when additional performances will be added). We saw him as Hamlet in New York in 2001. The box office opens at 9:30 to sell some same-day tickets (limit of 2 per person). Anyone know how many tickets are made available each day?

If you'll be visiting London after May 28, sign up on NT's website to be notified by email of the date when additional tickets will go on sale online. Also, the performance on May 1 will be telecast to movie theaters around the world if you won't have the chance to see it in London.

We got day-of tickets at the NT in 1985 to see the Elizabethan tragedy "The Duchess of Malfi" by Shakespeare's contemporary John Webster. Back then the front row of the stalls was held for same-day sale. Is that still the case?

 

[Larry H]

Answering my own question -- to benefit others -- we joined the queue at 7:30 a.m., two hours before the box office opens, and were the last to get 2 tickets @ 12 GBP each (on a Monday). Only standing room tickets were available to those arriving later than we.

 

[Pauline]

Thanks for letting us know Larry!