[user104658]

I'm not particularly bothered by "freebies" that don't some from the taxpayer to be fair, it's not a particularly unusual thing in normal business and the cost is misleading (yes the tickets sold may cost £250+, but that doesn't mean giving them away free actually costs £250+, if that makes sense).

Paying for (and fuelling) unnecessary 2nd homes, unreasonably expensive daily expenses (£100 for lunch etc.) that come from govt. coffers is much more of a concern.

A theatre or venue (privately owned) choosing off their own back to give away tickets is their own business and a slippery slope to start scrutinising.