London's tkts Booth Extends Opening Hours; West End's Sunday Performances on the Rise

By Mark Shenton
10 Nov 2009

In response to the fact that Sunday performances are a growing trend in the West End, the tkts ticket booth in Leicester Square has extended its opening hours, and will now be open from 11 AM to 4 PM on Sundays, for the sale of both "on-the-day" and advance tickets. The booth was previously open from noon to 3 PM only.

The tkts booth is owned and operated by trade organization the Society of London Theatres. There are now Sunday performances for Disney's The Lion King, Stomp, Thriller Live!, Inherit the Wind, Arturo Brachetti – Change, Marilyn: Forever Blond and Jump, as well as Prick Up Your Ears and The Shawshank Redemption (both of which have recently announced closing dates, to shutter Nov. 15 and 29 respectively).

The National Theatre formally introduced a seven-day performing schedule earlier this year, and English National Opera's new production of Handel's The Messiah and the return of Matthew Bourne's production of Swan Lake will also offer Sunday performances from the end of November, as will Christmas family shows The Gruffalo, A Christmas Carol and The Snowman. From Jan. 17, 2010, Jersey Boys will also implement Sunday matinees.

In a press statement, Richard Pulford, chief executive of the Society of London Theatre, said, "People already flock to London's shops and restaurants on a Sunday. Now, more and more of them are enjoying a trip to the theatre too — and many of them make straight to tkts for their tickets."

The tkts tickets booth is situated in the Clocktower Building on the South Side of Leicester Square. For more information, visit www.tkts.co.uk