I want to take VN to the last day of the Proms. It has a special meaning for her since the conductor is the president of the charity that sponsors her violin, etc, so I was very sad to hear from a friend today that it's impossible at this late stage. That the tickets for the last day is booked well in advance? Is this true???

I've never participated in the Proms before other than follow via technology. Please advise us how we can get our tickets. Thanks a million! I shall also google "Royal Albert" in a minute or two to check.

Tess

Sorry, Tess. I believe that all the Last Night tickets are on sale only to people who have attended at least a certain number of prom concerts (may be as high as 10).

Thanks, leahdon. You are absolutely right! Have just checked and found out that you can book 2 Last Night tickets in advance for every/only if you buy 6 tickets first for other Proms concerts. Fortunately, the lady at the box/booking office told me that at times there are returns, so she advised me to keep calling every day to check for returns.

By this stage all seats for the last night will be sold out. However, there are some alternatives:

1) Proms in the Park (£23)
The first part of the concert is live in the park, the second half is on big screens via satellite from the Albert Hall. This is great fun, but you wouldn't actually be in the Albert Hall.

2) Prom (£5 cash only)
There are usually tickets available on the last night for those who just turn up at the last minute. You will be restricted view, or no view at all as the season ticket holders will be in front of you.

3) Last night promming ticket under the six concert rule (£35 cash only)
Collect your ticket stubs from promming at six other concerts, then show them to buy a last night Promming ticket. You will still need to queue for a good standing position on the last night, but you will be in the same queue as the season ticket holders.

4) Season ticket (whole/half season in gallery or arena, £75/90/130/160)
The right to go to all concerts in the (whole or half) season including the last night, with guaranteed entrance up to 10 mins before the concert starts. Again you will need to queue for a good view on the last night.

Start queuing the night before the last night. You will be given a queue number, and will need to re-register at stated times during the next day. At the final re-registration you will queue in your queue number order. It is all very civilised.

Good luck,
Judith

Thanks, Judith but I understand that option no. 3 is gone and option no. 4 is clearly unaffordable and besides, it is a future thing for consideration. As for no. 2, well, on the last night, there will be returns of no view positions but as a 9-yr old and asthmatic in many ways, I think she might physically faint if she has to stand long behind a crowd of jostling adults?

Somehow she is not that keen on no. 1 since Mark Elder who is her key attraction is not there to conduct so we can listen to the radio for the rest whilst in a caravan far away.

I am going to call every day till I get 2 non-standing/unrestricted view ones. Sorry, I seem to be a bit fussy here. But, thanks very much to you both for your kind replies. Really appreciate you taking the time.

Tess

Have you tried any of the larger ticket agencies?

Alternatively, Mark Elder is also conducting Prom 4 on 17th July, which promises to be an altogether more civilised affair, but without either the party atmosphere or the visual delights of Dmitri Hvorostovsky .

Hmm, interesting, definitely something worth considering. Thanks, Deborah.

Ticketing agencies? Have never used those before - we've always bought from booking offices. How do you start looking for a large one? If you name me one or two, Deborah, I can google them.

why not google "ticket agency proms"???

Your other alternative is to request seats in the ballot - these are Centre Stalls seats so isn't cheap but if you PM me I'd be happy to mail you the ballot form from my proms guide. Closing date is 14 July.

Proms in the Park is a nice event to go to though - I've never seen such civilised crowds at the end - everyone packs up their picnics and tidies their rubbish away...