What is a theatre preview and is it worth it? ...Middle East

Here at Radio Times, we're all about helping you do the things you love for less, from advice on how to get cheap cinema tickets, cheap concert tickets and cheap theatre tickets.

And speaking of cheap theatre tickets, one of the lesser-known ways to save on new shows is by opting for preview tickets.

But what exactly are previews? How are they different from opening night or regular shows, and are they really worth it?

We've put together the ultimate guide to theatre previews, weighing the pros and cons to give you our honest verdict. We've also spoke to theatre influencer Perry O'Bree of Perry Presents, who provided us with some more great insider knowledge.

You can find Perry's insightful theatre content at Perry Presents on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. 

For more theatre insights, here are all our five-star West End shows, plus how to get Jesus Christ Superstar tickets, starring Sam Ryder. 

Jump to: 

What are theatre previews?

Theatre previews are performances of a show that take place before the show's official opening night, which is also known as press night.

Preview tickets are available to purchase by the general public, but the purpose of these performances is to run through the show in front of a live audience so that any necessary changes can be made, like pacing or lighting.

Perry says that previews are there "to test the waters before they officially 'open' to see how the audience react, think, or feel and to see if there are any changes needed. It helps directors, creatives and actors get a feel for how the audience feel or react to the text, song or whatever it is being staged".

While costs will vary depending on the production, preview tickets will generally be cheaper than performances that take place post-opening night.

For example, at the time of writing, previews for the West End transfer of Arcadia start at £12, while tickets post-opening night start at £16.50 or £18, depending on the performance.

What’s the difference between a preview and opening night?

A preview is the name for any show that takes place before opening night, which is also be known as press night.

Opening night/press night is the official first night of the production, when critics, journalists, influencers and celebrities are invited to watch and/or review the production.

Members of the public are also able to buy tickets to press night — a great shout if you love celeb spotting!

Are theatre previews worth it?

As with anything, opting for preview tickets comes with a list of pros and cons.

Let's start with the positives. If you're a theatre goer on a budget, previews are a great way to save money, especially when it comes to larger-scale West End shows. Plus, who doesn't want the bragging rights of saying you got to see the hottest new show before everyone else?

If you're extra excited about a new show, you can attend both the preview and a regular night to see any changes that have been made, therefore getting an insight into the evolution of a show.

This was the case with Stranger Things: The First Shadow for Perry, who said: "I attended the first preview of Stranger Things and then went back after press night and they cut a lot. So it felt special to see; almost like it’s first draft in front of an audience.

"They made lots of changes, but for all the right reasons. When I went back it was shorter, tighter, and much better in terms of pacing. The audience really felt part of the action which was cool."

However, preview tickets also come with some risks. Recent West End productions, including Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo and Romeo and Juliet starring Sadie Sink, had several of the initial previews cancelled, leaving theatre fans disappointed.

Audience members were recompensated, but of course, missed out on seeing the production in its early stages. As Perry says: "It’s very good for London locals or if you work in the city and can afford a cancellation, but not so good if you’re coming from abroad or further afield."

There is also the risk that productions won't be entirely ready during their preview season, as there may be some final touches still to be made on things like costumes or set design.

Despite these risks, we would say that opting for preview tickets is definitely worth it, especially if you're trying to save money. Just make sure to book a date closer to opening night rather than the first couple of previews.

This means that you'll better avoid the risk of cancellation, plus any initial hiccups should be smoothed out. However, if you're travelling to a city specifically for a show and need to book travel or accommodation, it's a safer bet to go for a regular performance.

Which West End shows can I currently get preview tickets to?

For more on the latest West End news, here's how to get tickets to see Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant on the West End, as well as how to see Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells on the West End. 

Hence then, the article about what is a theatre preview and is it worth it was published today ( Wednesday 29/04/2026 - 01:57 PM ) and is available on Radio Times ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

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