FAQs
What is A Night Less Ordinary?
A Night Less Ordinary is an Arts Council England scheme in association with Metro, which will provide 618,000 free theatre tickets to anyone under 26 in more than 200 venues across England.
Who is entitled?
Any person aged 25 or below, ie under (and not including) 26, can obtain tickets.
How many tickets can I obtain?
This depends on the individual venue but most venues will allow you to obtain more than one ticket on behalf of your under-26 friends.
Can I return to the same venue for more free tickets?
Yes, in most venues you can return to as many different shows as you like, however, check the terms and conditions of the participating venue.
What do I have to do to get the tickets?
Search for a venue near to you (by post code or town/city), click on the link ‘Get free tickets’, which will open up a new window and take you straight to the venue’s website. Each venue will have its own terms and conditions, which you can read through, then either use their online booking system (if applicable) or call their box office to order your free tickets, subject to availability.
How long will the scheme be running for?
Two years. A Night Less Ordinary will run from February 2009 until March 2011.
What theatres are participating?
There are over 200 theatres and arts venues participating all over the country. Check our website for what centres are taking part in your local area. Some of these include: Battersea Arts Centre, Almeida, Young Vic, Soho Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Tricycle Theatre, The Gate, The Bush, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse, Barbican, Liverpool Everyman Playhouse, The Marlowe Canterbury, Watford Palace Theatre and many more.
Why is the scheme only open to under-26-year-olds?
The Arts Council is continuously looking at new ways of reaching people of all ages who do not currently engage with the arts, as part of our mission to get great art to everyone.
Children and young people are a priority for us as research shows that people who are given the opportunity to experience arts when young are much more likely to develop a habit of attending which then stays with them for life. This is why under-26-year-olds were selected as the target audience for A Night Less Ordinary.
We will be reviewing the impact of A Night Less Ordinary and assessing the effectiveness of this approach in reaching young people. At that stage we will also be able to judge the potential of this approach to reach other groups that do not currently attend or participate in the arts.
How come the offer seems different at different theatres?
Some theatres have adopted the scheme in slightly different ways - to fit in with their way of working and other schemes they may be running for young people, and to appeal to their audiences. When you contact each participating venue, the box office staff will be able to explain any differences to you.