News, Tips & Bargains : London Arts at Your Fingertips

For the first time, travelers to London can buy tickets to plays, musicals, operas, concerts, museums and galleries with one telephone call under the auspices of a two-month promotion called London Arts Season.

Now through the end of March, it’s one-stop shopping for more than 100 venues.

Some of the offerings include a major Picasso exhibit at the Tate Gallery, a comprehensive Faberge show at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the musicals “Crazy for You” and “Sunset Boulevard,” and Tom Stoppard’s comedy, “Arcadia.”

In addition, visitors may book seats for the Royal Ballet and Opera, Royal National Theatre, the London Philharmonic, London Symphony and English Chamber orchestras, Royal Shakespeare Company and English National Opera.

Ease of access and availability of hard-to-get seats are the main selling points of London Arts Season, which receives daily ticket allocations from many venues. (Most ticket prices are not discounted.) In addition, promotion sponsors have arranged several backstage tours, special presentations and opportunities to meet the casts of shows such as “Starlight Express” and “Cats.”

Details are spelled out in a booklet that is available from the British Tourist Authority at (213) 628-3525. Travelers can obtain tickets by calling London Arts direct (011-44-71-396-4567) or by calling Edwards & Edwards, a New York City ticket agency, at (800) 223-6108. Booking fees may be charged on some tickets. In London, travelers may also go to the London Arts information center at 12 Regent St. SW1, near Piccadilly Circus.