Seeing a show can be pricey, but there is an easy way to scoop up top-tier tickets at heavily discounted prices or even for free. Tucked away beneath the surface of theatre land, a small army of savvy theatre fans are scooping up tickets to see shows for less. Cleverly avoiding inflated ticket prices and unwanted fees, those in the know are signing up for a secret society of agencies and ticket sellers who welcome them with open arms.
Using an age-old technique known as 'papering' these agencies are able to offer tickets for a nominal fee, to help fill seats in the audience. Operating like undercover theatrical ninjas, 'paperers' are sworn to secrecy so as not to arouse the suspicion of punters who have paid the full ticket price. READ MORE: The hidden gem in the Cotswolds with its own lido and a fairytale family attraction Providing 'bums on seats' for all manner of performances, theatre fans who sign up to become a 'paperer' could be enjoying new experimental plays, musicals, ballet, opera and even big-name West End shows for less than £15 a ticket, or just a small admin fee.
Seat fillers may also be asked to give their thoughts on the performance, helping directors hone a show until it finds its feet. The Audience Club is one such society that has been filling empty seats since 2007. According to the website they have been "trusted to fill seats for more than 120,000 events" since their inception, covering everything from fringe-style shows, to cinema screenings and more .