What Happens at a West End Press Night

A press night is the official opening performance of a West End show, the evening when critics are invited to see the production and write their reviews. It is one of the most high-stakes nights in British theatre: the performance that can shape a show's reputation for its entire run. But what actually happens on the night, and why does it matter?

What Is a Press Night?

A press night, sometimes called an opening night, is the performance designated by the producers as the official start of a show's run. It is the evening when theatre critics from newspapers, magazines and online publications attend and review the production. Until this point, an informal agreement between the industry and the press means that critics hold off publishing their verdicts, even if they have attended earlier performances.

The date is set by the producers in coordination with the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), which manages the official diary of West End openings. Producers choose the date carefully: they want the show to be in the best possible shape, but they also need to avoid clashing with other major openings on the same night, since critics can only be in one place at a time.

What Happens Before Press Night?

Before the critics arrive, a show goes through a preview period. Previews are public performances, with paying audiences, that take place while the production is still being refined. For a big musical, the preview period might last two or three weeks. For a play, it is often shorter: perhaps a week, or even just a few days.

During previews, directors and creative teams make adjustments. A scene might be rewritten, a lighting cue changed, a song rearranged. The cast gets to perform in front of a live audience and find the rhythms of the piece. Audience reactions during previews feed directly into the final version of the show.

Preview tickets are sometimes (though not always) priced slightly lower than post-opening performances. Some theatregoers actively seek out previews because they enjoy seeing a production before reviews have shaped public opinion.

What Happens on the Night Itself?

A West End press night is unlike a normal performance. The audience is a mix of critics, invited guests, industry figures, the show's investors and, increasingly, celebrities. For high-profile productions, there is often a red carpet arrival and photographers outside the theatre. Dress codes lean smarter than a regular Tuesday evening.

Inside the auditorium, the atmosphere is different too. The audience tends to be more restrained than a typical crowd, partly because many of them are watching analytically rather than purely for enjoyment. Critics take mental notes throughout (most do not use notebooks or phones during the performance itself) and often write their reviews immediately afterwards, sometimes filing within an hour of the curtain call in order to make print deadlines.

After the performance, there is usually an after-party. This is hosted by the producers and serves as part celebration, part publicity exercise. Cast members, creatives, press and invited guests gather at a nearby venue. The cast often arrives at the party still buzzing from the performance, while the critics have usually already left to write their reviews. For the creative team, the party is the moment where months or years of work become public. It can be euphoric or nerve-shredding, depending on the mood in the room and the early signals from social media.

Why Does Press Night Matter?

Reviews published after press night have an outsized influence on a show's commercial prospects. A strong set of reviews can drive ticket sales for months. A poor reception can make it very difficult for a production to build an audience, particularly for new work without an established fan base. Some shows have closed within weeks of bad press night reviews.

The power of the press night has shifted somewhat in recent years. Social media means that audience reactions leak out from the first preview onwards, and many potential ticket buyers now rely on word of mouth, TikTok clips and audience review sites as much as traditional criticism. But press night reviews still carry significant weight, especially for shows that depend on the endorsement of major newspaper critics to reach a broad audience.

Are Critics Always at Press Night?

Increasingly, no. The traditional model where every critic attends the same performance has been evolving. Many producers now offer "press previews" in the days leading up to opening night, spreading critics across several performances. This reduces the pressure on a single evening and gives critics more time to write considered reviews rather than rushing to meet overnight deadlines.

Broadway has used this press preview system for years, and London is gradually moving in the same direction, particularly for large commercial productions. However, for many subsidised theatres and smaller venues, the single press night remains standard.

Some directors have spoken publicly about the pressure of the traditional model. Having investors, family, friends and critics all in the same room on the same evening creates a charged atmosphere that can be exhilarating but also, as one prominent director put it, "not all that healthy."

Can You Attend a Press Night?

Press night tickets are not generally available to the public. The house is allocated by the producers, with seats reserved for critics, invited guests and industry contacts. If you are not on the guest list, you will not be able to buy a ticket for press night specifically.

However, preview performances are open to everyone and can be a great way to see a show early in its run. You may catch a slightly rougher version of the production, but you will also see something that has not yet been shaped by critical opinion, which many regular theatregoers consider a bonus.

What Happens After Press Night?

Reviews typically appear online within hours of the curtain call, with print reviews following the next morning. For the production team, the morning after press night is spent refreshing newspaper websites and reading verdicts. The reviews are then used (or carefully not used) in marketing materials. Favourable quotes from critics appear on posters, advertisements and the show's website. Less favourable ones are quietly filed away.

After press night, the show settles into its regular performance schedule. The heightened attention fades, the celebrities stop coming, and the production gets on with the job of playing eight shows a week to paying audiences. For the cast, this is often when the real work begins: sustaining a performance night after night, long after the spotlight of opening night has moved on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a press night and an opening night? They are usually the same thing. Press night is the term used within the industry, while opening night is more commonly used by the general public. Both refer to the official first performance at which critics attend.

Are preview tickets cheaper than regular tickets? Sometimes, but not always. Some productions offer reduced prices during previews, while others charge the same as post-opening performances. Check individual show listings on BritishTheatre.com or tickadoo for current pricing.

How soon after press night do reviews appear? Most reviews are published online within a few hours of the performance, with print editions following the next day. Some critics who attend press previews in the days before opening may hold their review until press night itself.

Do all West End shows have a press night? Almost all new productions and major revivals have an official press night. Long-running shows that have already been reviewed, such as The Lion King or Les Miserables, do not have repeated press nights, though critics may revisit them periodically.

Can I buy tickets for press night? No. Press night is an invited audience only. If you want to see a show early in its run, look for preview performances, which are open to the public and available through tickadoo.