A NIGHT LESS ORDINARY
Make our First Night into your First Night!

A First Night in the theatre is always an extra special event. The cast and crew are nervous, but raring to go. Everyone is trying to remember what was learnt in rehearsals. The press and VIPs are following every move. The lights go down...it’s showtime!

Here at Birmingham Hippodrome, as part of the Arts Council’s new FREE Theatre Initiative – otherwise known as A Night Less Ordinary – we’re inviting young people under 26 to enjoy some First Nights for FREE!

FAQs

How do I book FREE tickets? Simply reserve your FREE tickets on the hotline number 0844 3385 007 or in person at our Hurst Street box office. Collect your FREE tickets in person a minimum of 60 minutes before the start of the performance (from the designated area in our foyer).Tickets need to be picked up between 5.45 - 6.30pm prior to the opening of the show.

What shows can I book for? A limited number of tickets is allocated for each selected evening. So keep visiting this page of our website to find out which are the relevant dates.

What information do you need from me? We just need the name, age and contact details of you and any other participating members of your party that wish to take up the initiative. It’s important to ensure that the scheme is not being abused and we need to monitor take-up. We want to make sure that this scheme really is used by young people and be able to contact you in future to let you know of other FREE tickets and specially discounted offers.

How else will my data be used? It will be stored safely here. We will not sell, loan or share it with any third parties. It will only be used by us to keep in contact with you, and for analysis purposes.

Do I need to bring anything with me? Bring up-to- date ID when you collect your tickets: passport, bus pass, Young Person’s Railcard, driving licence etc - anything to show your date of birth and a recent picture. (We cannot accept an NUS card, or NUS Extra card, as these have no photograph.)

Is this deal just for the cheapest seats way at the back? Tickets are limited and allocated throughout the auditorium in all price bands. They are available on a first-come-first-served basis. You could be lucky and end up in the front row; but, yes, some are indeed the cheapest at the back! (Hint: book early)

Are there any age restrictions? If you are under 16, you have to be accompanied by an older Free Theatre ticket holder or by a paying adult. If the adult is calling on your behalf, we still need to collect your individual details and will need to see you and your ID when you collect your tickets.

How many FREE tickets can I book at the same time? To limit any abuse of the offer, we are limiting this to two tickets which both have to be for under 26s. So we need full personal details from each ticket holder.

How can I organise a group of friends to attend under this scheme? Get yourselves together, sort out your dates and call us at the same time. Just two tickets per booking remember! We’ll do our best to ensure you’re sat next to each other or nearby.

I have been approached by a school through my work to see if I can book tickets on their behalf? It is only possible for you to let the school know about the scheme, they then have to inform the young people, who can book up to two tickets at a time.

I have audio/ visual requirements, and your accessible performances are not available on the FIRST nights. Will I miss out on the FREE ticket offer? No, you won't miss out. We will honour your FREE ticket for the appropriate performance (signed, audio described or captioned) if the show is part of the scheme. Just inform our Box Office when you phone or call in. We will still need to see all your relevant id when you collect your ticket.

It sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? Apart from our conditions listed here, there really is no catch. This is an official, fully funded Arts Council scheme running for two years. We just want to encourage young people to experience the thrill of live performance and to keep coming back for more. Research tells us under 26s worry most about the cost. So here you go, a risk-free sampling opportunity for ‘a night less ordinary’!

Don’t forget: A limited number of tickets is allocated for each selected evening. So keep visiting this page of our website to find out which are the relevant dates. For more information about the scheme, visit http://www.anightlessordinary.org.uk/

A Night Less Ordinary is an Arts Council England scheme in association with Metro, which provides 618,000 free theatre tickets to anyone under 26 in more than 200 venues across England, until March 2011.

Terms and conditions
Tickets are limited and therefore subject to availability. Not available on tickets already reserved or purchased. Tickets can be booked in advance, but must be collected in person on the evening of the performance. Tickets must be collected between 1pm - 1.30pm for matinees or 6 - 6.30pm on the night of the performance and will be available from the collection desk during the times stated above. Any tickets not collected by this time may be sold. Photographic ID must be presented by each person when collecting tickets. If no photographic ID is presented, admission can be refused. Tickets are not transferrable. Up to 2 tickets can be booked by one person providing each ticket is for an under 26 year old and photographic ID is presented by each person. Other tickets booked will be charged at the applicable rate. Patron details must be given at the time of booking.