330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Apr 30, 2016 6:48:21 GMT
Hi all
As I turn 26 next month I'll be losing my prized National Theatre Entry Pass membership which is devastating but I've definitely made use of it over the years!
I'd like to keep going with some level of membership at the National and was wondering what level of membership other people had, if any?
I've been looking at the Young Patron membership for £100 a year, do you think this would give me enough of a chance of getting tickets for something like Angels in America (I.e something that will likely sell out quickly) when they go on sale?
Thanks for any advice!
|
|
330 posts
|
Post by charliec on Apr 30, 2016 11:37:33 GMT
*raises walking stick and lashes out at young whippersnapper while cackling manically* In my day, young (very young) lady, we didn't have fancy things like "Entry Pass." We had to buy proper adult membership like everybody else, and like it. You youngsters don't know your born - never even been down t'mine like we did (well, they took us to Big Pit on a school outing). But back on the subject: I've made do all these years with the basic £15 Advance membership, and never had a problem getting in for anything at all. In fact, now that they seem to release seats online randomly, it's even easier. True, you won't often get the £15 tickets, but you'll get in, and usually at the next price up. My feelings is that unless you are loaded, or addicted to those £15 seats, then you may as well go for the cheapest option, and use the difference in price - £85 - to buy a more expensive ticket for those plays that you need to. Thanks Theatremonkey. I'm very aware that I've been totally spoilt with £5 tickets for everything for years! The £15 membership sounds like a great plan, thanks! |
|
4,038 posts
|
Post by kathryn on Apr 30, 2016 12:48:44 GMT
When did they actually start doing entry pass? I didn't hear about it until I was too old for it, not sure if it was running when I was a youngling and I was just too stupid to take advantage of it.
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Apr 30, 2016 13:10:26 GMT
Don't forget about Friday Rush for £20 tickets to every show, including sold out ones
And the Amex preferred seating trick
|
|
433 posts
|
Post by DuchessConstance on Apr 30, 2016 16:54:36 GMT
When did they actually start doing entry pass? I didn't hear about it until I was too old for it, not sure if it was running when I was a youngling and I was just too stupid to take advantage of it. Launched in 2008. |
|
1,465 posts
|
Post by foxa on Apr 30, 2016 17:00:09 GMT
Just agreeing with the comments above - I'm not on any of the membership schemes at present but on the first day of public booking managed to get (for example) a £25 seat for The Flick and £15 tickets for Threepenny Opera. (I do have an American Express card which helps a bit.)
Having said that, I was looking at the Young Patrons scheme as a possible gift for someone I know because it seemed like there might be a fun social aspect to it. So probably not a necessary expense, but might have some added benefits?
|
|
4,038 posts
|
Post by kathryn on Apr 30, 2016 17:19:19 GMT
When did they actually start doing entry pass? I didn't hear about it until I was too old for it, not sure if it was running when I was a youngling and I was just too stupid to take advantage of it. Launched in 2008. Thanks. I just missed out, then. Bah, humbug, youngsters these days don't know they're born!! |
|
923 posts
|
Post by Snciole on Apr 30, 2016 21:47:47 GMT
I replaced my entry pass with priority (when it was £65) then advanced when I didn't use priority that much.
I think £15 isn't necessary a great scheme for getting non-Travelex £15 tickets but if willing to pay more it is definitely worth having the head start of general public.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 10:09:07 GMT
Does the £15 advance get that much of an advantage? Might have to consider some kind of boost for Angels In America, but I'd rather spend money on tickets than memberships where possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by partytentdown on May 1, 2016 11:13:41 GMT
Do we know when Angels goes on sale yet?
|
|
923 posts
|
Post by Snciole on May 1, 2016 14:04:36 GMT
Does the £15 advance get that much of an advantage? Might have to consider some kind of boost for Angels In America, but I'd rather spend money on tickets than memberships where possible. Not really. Depending on the full 2017 programme I may move up to Priority in November depending on disposable income but I am not really interested in the NT much anymore. I've found their casting choices bland and their revival heavy programme a step in the right direction but their increasing ticket prices limits what I can see. |
|
|
|
Post by profquatermass on May 2, 2016 11:11:00 GMT
*raises walking stick and lashes out at young whippersnapper while cackling manically* In my day, young (very young) lady, we didn't have fancy things like "Entry Pass." We had to buy proper adult membership like everybody else, and like it. You youngsters don't know your born - never even been down t'mine like we did (well, they took us to Big Pit on a school outing). But back on the subject: Given a choice between paid to go to university and discount theatre tickets I know which I'd choose. Oh wait, I had the discount theatre tickets too... |
|
1,016 posts
|
Post by andrew on Sept 6, 2016 23:28:25 GMT
I was looking though some of the memberships thinking about Amadeus which I've totally missed so far and Angels, and saw this at the bottom.
"All levels of NT membership and patronage comprise a benefits value detailing the actual cost of membership to the charity. These benefits can be purchased separately at this price. Any amounts given over and above this benefits value are given freely as a donation and are eligible for Gift Aid. Priority Membership − Donation £69/Benefits £11. To discuss purchasing benefits separately please contact the Development Office on 020 7452 3850."
Does this imply that by phoning up you can just ask for the lower price, without any donation?
|
|
3,475 posts
|
Post by showgirl on Sept 7, 2016 4:11:48 GMT
I was looking though some of the memberships thinking about Amadeus which I've totally missed so far and Angels, and saw this at the bottom. "All levels of NT membership and patronage comprise a benefits value detailing the actual cost of membership to the charity. These benefits can be purchased separately at this price. Any amounts given over and above this benefits value are given freely as a donation and are eligible for Gift Aid. Priority Membership − Donation £69/Benefits £11. To discuss purchasing benefits separately please contact the Development Office on 020 7452 3850." Does this imply that by phoning up you can just ask for the lower price, without any donation? Wow, fascinating suggestion, andrew - I would be mad if it turned out that I had been duped into "donating" so much of my membership cost. Not saying I wouldn't choose to donate but I expect to be provided with full disclosure so as to make an informed decision. And when I wrote to them about the huge percentage increase last time, this wasn't mentioned. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 7:49:30 GMT
You should definitely give them a call and let us know. I'd be VERY interested in being able to purchase the advance booking benefit for £11 rather than giving them a whole £69 for the privilege.
|
|
3,475 posts
|
Post by showgirl on Sept 7, 2016 7:53:27 GMT
Well if anyone else wishes to know sooner, s/he should feel free, as I don't need to check until my membership is due for renewal, which is months away yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Sept 7, 2016 8:40:26 GMT
You lot are bonkers! Why can't you all just believe the NT's published option of purchasing benefits separately, which Andrew has kindly and clearly drawn to your attention? No one has been duped here. The NT has to state the value of benefits in order to establish the value of the donation element, so that it qualifies for Gift Aid eligibility.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 8:47:04 GMT
Yes, suggesting that Andrew talks to the NT about this, as suggested in their very own email, and reporting back to us with his experience is *definitely* bonkers. You've hit the nail *right* on the head there, HG.  |
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Sept 7, 2016 9:04:52 GMT
I have a hunch that Andrew will be lovely and polite on the phone and will happily agree to contribute a reduced donation.
Whereas other board members might be rather rude and find that their phone conversation is accidentally cut off.
|
|
433 posts
|
Post by DuchessConstance on Sept 7, 2016 11:16:02 GMT
I'm a Young Patron and I've found it pretty rubbish. Won't be renewing.
|
|
|
|
Post by alexandra on Sept 7, 2016 12:17:02 GMT
As HG says, they have to state the value of the benefits for Gift Aid. It would be incredibly unfortunate if many people asked to pay only the value of the benefits. They rely on the donation element - that's the reason they offer the benefits in the first place. It's the same for all subsidised theatres. It's why discussions about the "value for money" of memberships are fruitless. Of course they're not value for money, unless you monetise the warm glow of philanthropy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 12:38:54 GMT
I don't know, surely a couple of hundred people paying an annual sum of £11 in addition to their ticket costs is better than the same couple of hundred people just always waiting until public booking day and not paying any additional sum at all? I can see why they've kept it on the downlow, 'cos you wouldn't want to risk the £69 spenders downgrading their membership. Maybe they can find a way to limit it to people who aren't £69 members, or who let their £69 membership lapse (probably with some kind of time limit involved), then it doesn't have to be a negative thing. Unless giving that couple of hundred people early booking has some kind of hidden cost that would render it cost ineffective, I guess. I ABSOLUTELY HEAR YOU on theatre memberships being for the warm glow with the perks just being perks, rather than memberships being solely a way of buying perks, by the by.  |
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Sept 7, 2016 12:59:29 GMT
Hi all As I turn 26 next month I'll be losing my prized National Theatre Entry Pass membership which is devastating but I've definitely made use of it over the years! I'd like to keep going with some level of membership at the National and was wondering what level of membership other people had, if any? I've been looking at the Young Patron membership for £100 a year, do you think this would give me enough of a chance of getting tickets for something like Angels in America (I.e something that will likely sell out quickly) when they go on sale? Thanks for any advice! I think having ANY NT membership is pointless (though I have the lower level one). They always hold back tickets for public booking plus you have day tickets (from 9:30am) and Friday Rush tickets so it should be no problem getting a ticket for a "sold out" show. |
|
5,588 posts
|
Post by lynette on Sept 7, 2016 14:57:44 GMT
As a member you can change tix without a bother though I don't know at what level this kicks in. And you can return tix and get a credit. So check on these benefits which I use regularly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2016 15:07:04 GMT
You can do both of those things as a non-member - no bother, but admittedly with a £2 per ticket cost (which they sometimes waive if they're feeling kind). If that helps anyone with any decision-making.
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Sept 7, 2016 17:34:16 GMT
If you just want advance booking access and aren't after the cheap seats, an Amex card will give you access to priority booking for an allocation of seats for most shows (possibly all) in the Olivier and Lytellton. Since many Amex cards are free (eg the BA Amex) this is cheaper than buying membership and the NT still gets a benefit through the corporate sponsorship
|
|
5,588 posts
|
Post by lynette on Sept 7, 2016 17:44:14 GMT
You can do both of those things as a non-member - no bother, but admittedly with a £2 per ticket cost (which they sometimes waive if they're feeling kind). If that helps anyone with any decision-making. Don't know what the hell I'm paying for then. O, yes, supporting theatre...... |
|
|
|
Post by Jan on Sept 8, 2016 6:00:00 GMT
You can do both of those things as a non-member - no bother, but admittedly with a £2 per ticket cost (which they sometimes waive if they're feeling kind). If that helps anyone with any decision-making. Don't know what the hell I'm paying for then. O, yes, supporting theatre...... This "donation" thing they add to the ticket price is nonsense, and the NT are offenders as sometimes they add on the "donation" automatically when you are booking and you have to delete it. My "donation" is the price of the ticket, that's how I'm "supporting theatre". It's like the shysters at ATG with their absurd "booking fee" and sundry additions. Didn't know having an AMEX card gives a booking advantage. Interesting. |
|
|
|
Post by Honoured Guest on Sept 8, 2016 7:31:17 GMT
With most theatres, such a donation supports their Education or Outreach despartments or writer development programme or some other activity, and doesn't fund the theatre presented onstage.
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Sept 8, 2016 8:10:05 GMT
The NT Amex page is here - www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/amexGenerally a priority booking period between members booking and public booking, with an allocation of seats that weren't on sale to members and in some cases access to other seats too. Eg I got £15 seats for Young Chekhov during the Amex booking period Originally the Amex allocation stayed exclusive to Amex after public booking opened so things like the SRB Lear appeared sold out but could be booked with an Amex card. In think now the Amex allocation is made available for general booking after a few weeks Only catch is you can only pay with an Amex card and can't use NT credit vouchers A similar deal applies for the London Film Festival |
|
