STALLS
The circle overhangs the stalls at row E.
Pillars are located at the ends of rows G and H. These pillars affect seats
in Row H, numbers 1,2, 15 and 16 and J18, though only J18 (not generally on sale
- and removed) was directly behind one.
The monkey is just not keen on the other seats around the pillars though. It
also opts for more central seats in this venue, taking the first and last two or three
in each row as a final choice. The only exception is in rows M and N, where
seats 1 and 2 are more central than in other rows.
Rows AA and BB at the very front of the stalls are generally removed.
If row AA is in use and discounted then some may well find it worth the
neck ache thinks the monkey. If row BB is the front row - as for "A
Christmas Carol" (December 2011) - and not discounted it's not a bad
view, but possibly expensive for those who prefer to take in the stage
without the strain. Discounted, worth a glance if your physio is a good one...
The high stage makes viewing from rows AA to D a neck-aching experience. From
row E back however, the rake compensates sufficiently to provide good views.
At "Park Avenue Cat" (July 2011), one reader says,
"BB11 and 12: I was tempted by an email that offered 'Best Seats for
only £15' and booked blind. Foolishly I didn't check their location
before we went. These were the WORST seats I've ever had in my life, in
any theatre, anywhere. The row was squashed in front of the stage, and
although we had leg room, we had to crook our necks and lean backwards
to see the actors on stage. However, we got a good view up the female
actors' skirts. Younger members of the audience in BB appeared to be
able to maintain this awkward pose better than my husband and I - being
in our late forties we have to be a bit more careful and had to keep
looking downwards at our toes to rest our poor necks. An extremely
uncomfortable experience. Strongly recommend that Theatremonkey never
goes for these seats, even though he is probably a bit more bendy than
we humans."
A few rows back, in row B a reader notes,
"B1: Would definitely go for something more central if I could have
chosen. Still had a good view though, although felt a bit disconnected
from the action by being right at the side."
For a cabaret Arts ('Eve Ferret Sings Again!' in 2011 another reader
notes,
"B1 to 4: Seats were right at one side of the theatre and quite close to
the stage but with a good view of all but the very nearside of the
stage. None of these facts were an issue for this particular show (a
cabaret) but might well be an issue with another show such as a play."
Further along the row, a reader says,
"B11: Seat was SO creaky I had to move to the empty one next to me.
It was creaking like no theatre seat has ever creaked before. Avoid this
seat. View from 1 along was very good and squeak free."
Regular theatremonkey seat reporting reader Mark says,
"Row C centre - Good clear view of the stage."
In row D, he adds,
"D9: for 'Naked Boys Singing' it's certainly close enough to see
everything, put it that way."
One reader notes,
"F5 and 6 were as good as they get in this small venue."
Behind them, reader Clive says, for "A Guide To Sexual Misery"
(September 2010),
"G12 and 13: A perfect view with good legroom. There is a good chance of
being required to move seats for the second half of this show."
At "Park Avenue Cat" (July 2011) a row back, he comments,
"H10 to 13: Excellent seats – very good view of the stage with good rake
and good leg-room."
Further along in the same row at "A Dish of Tea With Doctor Johnson"
(September 2011) reader Laura says,
"H12 and H13: Ended up sitting next to the play's director Max
Stafford-Clark, (who was lovely by the way!). The seats themselves gave
an excellent view of the action being right in the centre and just in
front of the overhang from the dress circle, although legroom was a
little cramped - we're 5'2" and 5'3" and we struggled slightly. I'm not
sure I'd have paid top price for the seat but if you can get them
cheaply then they're a fair value in my opinion."
The rear stalls are close to the stage in this tiny theatre. At high
prices, some visitors may want to avoid the edges of rows to maximise value. If
sold at
second price though, as is row M usually, the monkey considers them pretty
good, even if the top of the set may be missing.
With all seats the same price,
the monkey would go for seats
forward of row L first.
If there are two prices in the rear stalls with the cheaper ones
starting at row M, it would take M over L and save a little, and would
take row M before dress circle row F at the same price.
A reader notes for a previous
show, though,
"Row N: Great leg room and perfect unobstructed view, has a good rake.
Very hot, though. Now the bad points: during the play, 8 times the
entrance/exit door - the only one to theatre - was opened and let the
hallway light into the auditorium. Not only that, but they appear to
have a bar/club directly behind a locked single layer door. I could hear
crowds singing "my sex is on fire" more than what was said on stage. It
really is appalling sound proofing, surely they could have better - and
a curtain over the door! It really did spoil our night."
Legroom is mostly acceptable throughout the stalls.
DRESS CIRCLE
Called the CIRCLE in this theatre.
Six rows of seats cling to a narrow shelf, with a further two rows extending
from the circle down the sides of the theatre. View from all central block seats in the circle is
unexceptional, but not obstructed despite the low bar running across the front of row A. Row F is a bench, so arrive early to stake out your portion.
Reader Graham says,
"Row A: A very simply laid out intimate venue. We were sat in the front
row of the circle and didn't find it to cramped at all. There is a
bar running across the front of the row but it did not even come close
to affecting my view of the stage. The circle in general seems to have a
good rake too so think the view would be fine from most seats."
Reader Mark opines,
"D5: Bad seat, the rake is terrible in the circle of this theatre. Even
being tall I couldn't see very well over the people in front of me. I
moved to an empty seat in row B, which was much better."
Wheelchair spaces
are at the side of row F, offering a good view but distraction from the
soundboard when positioned nearby. See Notes. If the
soundboard is used and positioned here it is worth avoiding row E seats 4 to 9
and F seats 1, 2, 7 and 8 if you dislike that kind of interference!
Side circle seats, Rows R and L 1 to 14 have bars restricting the sightlines.
These rows are benches too, so again arrive early to stake out your portion! The price makes them worth considering,
if the discount for restricted
view is worthwhile - though you may want to pay the same to sit in the
front row or rear rows of the stalls instead for legroom / seat width comfort in particular.
On odd occasions - not for "Big Pants and Botox" (February 2012) - when row F seats are the same price as slips, the monkey would go for seats in row F
first. When rear stalls are also the same price (not this time) it would take rear stalls first.
Legroom is poor throughout the circle, notably rows R and L.
Reader Graham found row A OK, though,
Notes
Total 350 seats approx.
Not air conditioned. Be prepared for a hot and uncomfortable time in the
height of summer, alas. To minimise the effects, seating in the front stalls is
normally coolest as heat rises - and is also trapped in Circle overhang. Just a
bit of advice from someone in the theatre industry who has a grasp of physics...
2 Spacious bars.
Guide dogs are welcome either inside or dog-sat. Audio described and signed
performances occasionally. Step-free access from foyer to Circle. Wheelchair
access is via a side entrance and there is an adapted toilet near the Circle
seats (just a unisex one though). Contact staff in advance for full information
on 020 3174 0960. Fuller details from www.theatre-access.co.uk
or Artsline on 020 7388 2227 or e-mail artsline@dircon.co.uk.
A "venue access guide" from the team who created book "Theatremonkey,
A Guide to London's West End," is available to download in PDF format
by clicking here.
1 gentleman's and 1 ladies toilet on each level.
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