Family First Nights – FAQs

Family First Nights – FAQs

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take a look below to find out more about our family first nights programme and all the information you need to know on how to take part this year!

WHAT IS FAMILY FIRST NIGHTS?

Family First Nights (FFN) is our subsidised theatre-going programme for families who have never been to the theatre before, and wouldn't otherwise be able to access the theatre, offering top West End show tickets for just £10. 

Families also have the chance, after they’ve participated, to remain on our mailing list to receive theatre and other cultural offers until their youngest child turns 18. 

Families are identified and referred to us through partner organisations. These include social service agencies, charities, youth groups, supplementary schools and local authorities. 

Over 12,000 families have participated in FFN since the programme began in 1998, and it continues to play a vital role in making London theatre more accessible to families facing challenging circumstances. 

When does Family First Nights take place this year?

Family First Nights will be running from 1 - 31 May 2025.  

How much do tickets cost? 

Tickets cost £10 each.  

What shows are available?

A selection of top West End productions will be available - details on the shows will be provided very soon.  

How do referral organisations support Family First Nights? 

To ensure we are targeting families that would benefit most from the programme, families are identified and referred to us through partner organisations.  

The programme is a collaboration between each participating organisation and Go Live to reach hundreds of targeted families within London. Whilst we subsidise the ticket cost and organise the logistics, we work with the referral organisations help to identify the families to work with and to support these families in their first theatre-going experience.  

Who is eligible to take part?   

Family First Nights aims to reach families who have no previous theatregoing experience and would not otherwise be able to access theatre. Referral organisations help us to identify families who would benefit most from this programme.
 
To be eligible to take part, each family must fit the following criteria:
 
  • Each family must have at least one young person who is aged 6-17 years of age (or up to 25 if they are D/deaf or disabled).
  • At least half of the booking must include young people aged 6-17 (or up to 25 if they have D/deaf or disabled). Unless you are a two-parent family with one child.
  • Families must be referred to the programme through a partner referral organisation.
  • Families must not have previously taken part in Family First Nights unless they are a foster family who are taking new children to the theatre (please make sure this is noted on the families application)
  • We are not able to take applications from any staff members of partner organisations.

How do families book? 

Once a family has been referred to us via a referral organisation they will be sent a link to book tickets. This link will provide them with a calendar of participating Family First Night performances that will link through to each venue’s booking page so that the family can book at the discounted rate.  

What access provision is available for families?  

Go Live will work to ensure that there are performances offered within the Family First Nights shows that have access support available (for example captioned and audio described shows).  If a family has any access needs please ensure that this is flagged on the application form so we can ensure we provide the necessary support.  

We would like to pay on behalf of a family we are referring, how do we do that?

Please ensure you complete the application form with the family and click the box that says "the referral organisation is paying" and insert the paying organisation's contact details. We will then copy you into the email we send to the family with the booking link and you will be able to liaise with the family on what show they want to book for and then book and pay for them directly through the booking page.

Can I still apply after the deadline?

We want to ensure as many families as possible can benefit from this programme. If we still have ticket allocation available after the deadline we will be in contact with you to extend the deadline for any families who may have missed the deadline, but we recommend families complete the application form as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.

I have more questions, who do I contact? 

If you have any further queries about Family First Nights, please contact Go Live’s Programme Manager for Children and Families – Nancy Turner at [email protected]. She will be very happy to help!  

KEY DATES

  • 7 April 2025: Applications open for referred families to sign up to Family First Nights: once a family has booked onto the scheme we will send them a booking link so that they can book tickets at the discounted FFN rate (the shows will be confirmed and advertised soon).

  • 23 April 2025:  Applications close: please ensure that the families you have referred complete the application form by this date to avoid disappointment.

  • 1 - 31 May 2025: Family First Nights Performances take place.

Family First Night Terms and Conditions

  1. Once tickets are confirmed, they cannot be exchanged or refunded.
  2. Families must be referred through a referring organisation.
  3. You must not share the ticket booking link with any friends or families.
  4. Families may only book tickets for one performance offered as part of Family First Nights. If duplicate bookings are identified, Go Live Theatre reserves the right to cancel your booking.
  5. Any cancellations made after the tickets have been booked with the theatre are still liable to be paid for (up to £15 per ticket, which is what we pay).
  6. Referral organisations can refer up to 5 families.
  7. At least half of the booking must include young people aged 6-17 (or up to 25 if they have D/deaf or disabled). Unless you are a two-parent family with one child.
  8. All information provided will be kept securely and will only be used in line with Go Live Theatre’s Privacy Policy.
  9. Children under 3 will not be admitted to most London theatres, unless stated otherwise on the booking page.
  10. We have a limited allocation of tickets for each performance and they will be allocated first come, first served. We strongly advise that you book quickly to avoid disappointment.
  11. Please ensure your family is available for all dates selected, your ticket is not transferrable if you cannot make the date and time of your performance.
  12. Families must not have previously taken part in Family First Nights unless the are a foster family who are taking new children to the theatre (please make sure this is noted on the families application).
  13. Go Live Theatre is not able to take applications from any staff members of referral organisations.