r/westend • u/untiedstrings • 2d ago
Victoria Palace Hamilton
Hi all, I have two tickets to see Hamilton soon and am going with my sister who is 14 and I’m 17.
I’ve just checked the policy and London theatre has said that if you’re under the age of 16 you must be accompanied by an 18+ year old. I’ve been really looking forward to this and would like to know from people’s past experience if the staff check proof of age before letting you in.
Advice would be appreciated 🙏🏽🙏🏽thank you
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u/smt95x 2d ago
I have never seen them ID check anyone, they’re too busy trying to get everyone inside. Just queue up when it’s busy and you’ll be fine.
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u/yorneytheduck 1d ago
I was IDed when I went this summer by myself! Thank god I had my passport on me.
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u/Primary-Seaweed5958 19h ago
From the sounds of things they do seem to check id if you look under 18.
I’d recommend trying to find an adult to go with or in the line as they will not allow you access are you are 17 x
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u/Cardboardbox5757 2d ago
I’m 29 and my sister is 26, we’ve been multiple times and been checked every single time unfortunately (ridiculous imo I don’t think we look that young but just to give you some idea). We nearly weren’t let in the first time since neither of us had even thought to bring ID with us (managed to find a photograph of my passport). I noticed that they were checking a lot of young looking women as well. Seeing as you both actually are under the age of 18/16 I would be a bit wary/expect to be checked unless you look a lot older than your age. The only time they nearly didn’t check us was when we were a bit later and the queue was big so maybe you could try that? Maybe you could contact them in advance and see if they might make an exception?
I’m sorry it’s a bit frustrating and I don’t particularly understand why a 14 and 17 year old couldn’t go and see Hamilton
Ironically we’ve never had this happen at any other show, even those with heavily adult themes/content like Cabaret but for some reason Hamilton has always been super strict with us (and we are both grown adults)!
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u/untiedstrings 2d ago
Thanks so much for this comment, I’ve now got a general gist of what to do. Me and my sister do look a bit older than our age group I’d say but i totally agree, why should they need ID on hamilton 😓?!
I’m considering trying to get an adult to go with us but since the booking is so soon i think the tickets are sold out.
I think that if i were to call them they would say they wouldn’t let us in, however, I would try to go in anyways and just hope for the best.
any more advice would be welcome but thanks a ton 🤩🤩🤩3
u/Apprehensive-Cat-500 2d ago
The ID/age restriction is a theatre policy rather than a show specific thing.
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u/Book_crazy_1707 1d ago
I went a while ago I wasn’t 18 at the time they didn’t check either of us we just went in. But if you really look like you’re under 18 maybe. I mean if you’re 17 you might pass idk then they won’t check for your sister hopefully it’s unlikely they will
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u/SadFarfalle 2d ago
If I were you I'd either befriend an adult in line who will say they are with you or edit a photo of your passport to seem like you're 18. I wouldn't just chance it because this theatre is known for checks and once you're denied it will be much harder to try to fake anything. It's not following the rules but I personally don't see anything wrong with two teens going to see a musical.
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u/Aggravating_Self_180 2d ago
Yes - this is what I would do. Be totally honest with the audience member and most people would help you. All they have to do is walk in together with you.
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u/AdIndependent6408 2d ago
I went to Frozen as a 15/16 year old and was fine. Sat at Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and sat alone at 16. Think you’ll be fine, depends how old you look but i’ve never been asked my age
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u/ManagementSpecial108 1d ago
I know someone who got refused entry over the summer because she didn’t have ID. Staff were just “no unless you can show some proof”
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u/sparkztears 1d ago
i tried to go when i was 14 and they asked for id and then told me to leave
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u/Robynsxx 5h ago
This is a DMT theatre policy for legal and health and safety reasons, particularly because it’s one of the easier venues to get alcohol in, due to them having 3 massive bars.
You might get lucky, but if you look under 18 they won’t admit you with another minor.
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u/peppermintaerobubble 2d ago
These policies are always tough at these ages - my theatre addicted teen has just turned 18 thankfully! It’s all to do with safety policies - an assumption that someone who isn’t an adult themselves wouldn’t be able to care for someone else in an emergency, evacuation etc. I even had a member of this theatre’s team (Delfont Macintosh on the phone) tell me once that under 18s were not allowed alone when my kid was 17 - which was completely incorrect according to their own website but they were adamant! We ended up having to seat my disabled dad alone and me with my 17yo. I did point out this was crazy - the kid knows exactly what they are doing if we need to evacuate but my dad can’t move without me! And the kid had been to another of their theatres on his own no problem 2 days before. The staff in the actual theatre fortunately agreed I was correct on the night.