What is a Theatre Preview Night?

As much as so many of us love visiting the theatre, we all know it can get expensive.  My theatre-loving habit always leaves me hunting down the best theatre ticket deals and one thing I notice is that preview nights are often cheaper than tickets for the rest of the run.  But what exactly is a theatre preview night?  And is it worth taking the risk by attending one?

Unlike cinema previews, which are usually advanced screenings of the finished product, theatre previews are often a work in progress, and changes are often made right through the preview stage.  The actors and directors often use these evenings to assess the reactions of the audience and are amended and adjusted as they go on.  Usually, these finish at press night, when the show is open to the invited press to review before the rest of the theatre run.  Preview nights are usually performed in full costume and set just like the final production.

These are really important nights for production, however, you have to bare in mind that what you are witnessing might not be the finished product.  It’s unlikely that major changes will be made during the preview period, usually, it’s just tightening up and bedding down, however, it’s not completely unheard of, so it’s worth bearing this in mind if you decide to pick up a ticket.  However, if you don’t mind seeing something that is most likely 95% of the finished product but not all the way there it’s a great option to see something early and save some money.  Not only this but your reactions and feedback could have a direct result on how the director and performers move forward with the rest of the run.  Plus you get the bragging rights of seeing a hit show before anyone else!

Would you go to a theatre preview night?