It is also worth visiting the box office early in the day as standby tickets can go on sale early. This allows the day free without the rush of the One - Hour deadline. If the theatre is sticking to the 'one - hour' rule, still try at two hours before. You will rarely be turned away. If there is no budging, the line will start two hours before anyway, so at least you are first.
Trouble is, the best stuff is sold out anyway and at a discount, to mailing list members.
Mailing Lists and Newspaper Clubs Subsidised companies like the Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal Court, charge around 10 per year to have performance schedules mailed to your home. These include a chance to attend premieres at very low cost. Newspapers including the Times, London Evening Standard and Telegraph run theatre clubs. Modest membership fees allow readers to take advantage of special offers published in those journals. Actor's fan clubs may also make offers.