Tickets for Harry Potter

I wasn't expecting to be able see Harry Potter on the opening day, in London. I had not been able to book tickets online, for London, and I didn't know when tickets would be available at the site.

Enter Mum and Dad.

I had stopped over at a Starbucks (at Picadilly Circus) to do some work (before going to see a play, The Mousetrap (see later)). My mother and father decided to go for a walk in Picadilly Circus.

While on that walk, they decided, on impulse, to go into the box office for the Odeon at Leicester Square, and see if tickets for Harry Potter were on Sale. Well, they were. It turned out that ticket sales had only opened (in London) about 30 minutes before. As such, they were able to secure excellent tickets in the Odeon at Leicester Square (for only the second performance of the opening day (Nov. 18).

Just a little background -- in London, each cinema hall is unique -- they are like theatres. In fact, you get a set seat for the cinema (so you don't have to queue up hours in advance to get good seats). The cinema halls have general stalls seating, and they also have two different groups of balcony seating.

Now, The Odeon in Leicester Square is widely considered to be the best cinema hall in Europe. Indeed, most of the premieres happen at that particular theatre. In fact, the Harry Potter premiere (with all the stars) was also held there -- a few days before opening day. So, by sheer luck, we had gotten balcony tickets (considered the best tickets) for the opening day, at the best theatre in town.

Not bad for beginner's luck!