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Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

COMEDY THEATRE

DICKENS UNPLUGGED (comedy)
Previews from 23rd May, opens 9th June 2008

Meet Dickens and a host of his most famous characters as a gang of five use everything from guitars to harmonicas to bring the author and his stories to life.



 

Theatremonkey Opinion:

Not available.

 

Your Reviews: Add your own by clicking here.
Important: Some reviews below can contain "spoilers" - please don't read if this bothers you!


 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Performance Schedule:
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.

Monday, and Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30pm (9th June 2008 at 7pm)
Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Sunday at 4pm
NO TUESDAY PERFORMANCES.

 

Ticket Prices:

Offers May be available - Click Here

View this information in diagram form

Stalls
Rows A to O, plus row P 8 to14 and Q 9 to 14: £46
Rows P to U (except restricted view seats and P 8 to14 and Q 9 to 14): £36
Restricted view seats: £28.50

Dress Circle
all clear view seats: £46
Restricted view seats: £28.50

Upper Circle
all clear view seats: £28.50
Restricted view seats: £21

Balcony
Rows A to D: £21
Rows E and F: £16

Boxes £36 per seat.

 

 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here


Buying Tickets Through the Venue:

More Ticket Buying Options

Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems.
Theatre Box Office:
Telephone: 0870 060 6622
( 020 8544 7424 if you cannot use the 0870 number)
Operated by the Ambassador Theatre group's own phoneroom from 9am until 10pm (Sundays 10am until 8pm). Outside these hours the Ticketmaster agency answer calls on their behalf.

Online: Ambassador Theatre Group, the theatre group's own website provide the service for this theatre.

Other Online Booking Options: click here.
 

Booking fees per transaction for telephone and online bookings:
£3 per transaction (not per ticket) fee is made - towards the collection, thinks the monkey.

For personal callers or by post: Panton Street, London. SW1 4DN
No booking fee for personal callers.

Special Access Needs Customers:
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats on 0844 8717 677 and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them. The wheelchair users line connects directly to the theatre chain central phoneroom in London during working hours. See Notes.

 

More Ticket Buying Options: Using S.T.A.R. genuine ticket agencies.
Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers May be available - Click Here

Ticketmaster offer an alternative with the same booking fee as via the venue. Online charges are £2.50 per booking, not per ticket, handling fee. If you use this method, be aware that the computer offers tickets at random. If you are unhappy with its choice, keep re-selecting using the "Back" button on your browser, NOT the "reselect button" on the page, until you get tickets you consider worthwhile. Note that the tickets offered may differ between phone and online sources.

For performances from 23rd May until 15th June 2008, theatremonkey readers can buy two top price seats (from ticket agency offer allocation) for the price of one - that is £23 each (plus £1.75 per ticket booking fee) at all performances EXCEPT Saturday Evenings.

Ticket selection is from agency's allocation. Subject to allocation availability, change, withdrawal and agency discretion. Not available on tickets already purchased.

Book online by clicking here choose title from drop down menu), or by telephone from LoveTheatre, quoting "theatremonkey ticketshop" on 020 7907 7000

At other performances, when the box office does not have what you require, the Theatremonkey Ticketshop offers an extra selection of top price seats with a £4.60 per ticket booking fee on £46 seats. Slightly higher than the box office, but lower than most agencies. Worth checking if the box office cannot provide the exact tickets you might require. Simply select the show from the "drop down" menu in the centre of the page. Note that this system will confirm exact seat numbers prior to purchase.

Another alternative is www.seetickets.com / telephone 0870 830 0200 which offers £46 seats with a £4.60 per ticket booking fee and £1.60 per booking (not per ticket) postal charge.

Encore Tickets offer £46 seats with an £11.50 booking fee per ticket - plus optional UK postage of £1 per booking, not per ticket, available if time allows. Discounts and "Meal and Show" packages may also be available. Quality and Value hotel / theatre ticket packages are also available.

Other Independent S.T.A.R. ticket agencies may also offer an alternative choice of seats.
 

 
 
Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Theatre Seat Opinions:
Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference.

Seating Plan Diagram

Stalls Dress Circle Upper Circle Balcony Notes
STALLS 
The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row L. Two large pillars in row M hold this circle up and destroy the view from most seats in the rear stalls (though creating a few cut price ticket opportunities; see below).

The rake of the stalls is adequate. Rows A and B may well be uncomfortable for many, as those seated here "look up" to the stage and suffer neck ache in the process, though the tickets aren't sold more cheaply to allow for that fact! Row A seat 1 especially is to be avoided as it has an official "restricted view" designation, but isn't discounted.

Reader Kevin agrees:
"We sat in the stalls row B, seats 7 and 8, and I'd tend to agree with the Monkey about the possibility of neck ache because it's so close"

Reader Adam Walker says,
"We sat in Stalls row B 17 and 18. These were EXCELLENT! Agreed, a little neck-ache but totally worth it. You are so close to the action that you might as well be on stage with them. Neil Stuke's sweat was more than evident. "

Almost all of rows C to M normally offer acceptable value for money with only the first and last few seats in rows C to H should be avoided. These are outside the proscenium arch, with a poor view of the outermost edges of the stage. Unacceptable at the price. Sadly, they are too close to the stage for distance to improve the viewing angle. Row C seats 1 and 21 and row K seats 1 and 20 should be avoided for having restricted legroom.

Reader Mila reports,
"We had a great view from the stalls row D seats 5 and 6 (only a white but a perfect view)"

Reader Sam feels of G4:
"Stalls G4. On this occasion (the first time really) I strongly disagree with theatremonkey's assessment. Even though I bought my ticket from TKTS, so it was discounted, I still would recommend this seat at full price. I felt very satisfied with my seat. The view was very clear, and legroom was good. The monkey raises the issue of the outermost edges of the stage. I can't comment on all productions, but for "Donkey's Years" that wasn't the case from G4, but I believe he is right for G1, and G2, and maybe G3. I can't comment on the first 3 seats, but personally I would give G4 a Green. White at worst."

Fair enough, feels the monkey, who tends further towards caution when writing.

Rows D to H seats 7 to 16, row J seats 5 to 14 and K 6 to 15 offer best value at top price, in the monkey's opinion.

A 6ft 6 reader says,
"Sat in seat K5 in the stalls. Excellent position, legroom was adequate, therefore the seat was comfortable. However the theatre has a very shallow rake which means that there is a lot of head dodging to be done, although the spacing of the seats allows you to see through gaps. If you are smaller than average I would advise caution, suffice to say I personally didn't have a problem, although others in my group did. The person behind me did ask me to slouch in my seat but the legroom would not allow that even if I wanted to!"

Reader Hannah reports,
"We sat in stalls J 1 to 3 (Mum paying, why go with the cheap seats?) They are nice and close to the action and the view is not obscured by one of the myriad of poles the architect seems to have distributed through the theatre. However, the rake is only very slight and if you are a bit short and are sat behind some tall/with an afro you may have to do a bit of leaning. Deserving of the white rating methinks."

Further along the row a reader says,
"Stalls J7 and J8 were good as enough legroom and centre stage."

beside them, reader James says,
"Stalls J9 and J10 – great view, feels very close to the action."

Reader Lizzie said of her discounted seats,
"row L of stalls 11 to 15 – very good indeed."

Pretty good at full price too, thinks the monkey.

Rows N to U are behind the pillars. Central row P at top price for this production is worth a miss, as is Q behind. Not terrible, just more expensive than usual. The seats in the centre of  rows P back feel as if one is looking through a window. Trying sit forward of row M is a wise investment here - worth the extra money, in the monkey's opinion. Also note the overhang of the circle adds further lack-of-delight to the view from the rows beyond around row R.

For "Dickins Unplugged" a sound desk replaces T and U seats 8 to 10. Row S 8 to 10 might be worth a miss for purists, though most won't worry.

All the other stalls seats are restricted view as the pillars put a vertical stripe through your field of vision. Sold at third price or lower, the seats worth considering, in order of preference, are P 5, R4, Q18 / 19 , R18 / 19. These are not great, but they beat the rest for minimising impact of pillars, and proximity to the stage.

Legroom is acceptable throughout the stalls for all but the tallest, except in row N 7,8,15 and 16 where the pillars restrict it and row C seat 1 and 21, and row K seats 1 and 20.

Stalls Boxes
Four boxes, two either side of the stage. The view from the boxes is sideways on with the rear corner of the stage not visible. Theatremonkey rates the seats barely adequate. These seats are rarely sold. 



DRESS CIRCLE 
The Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle at row B. The support pillars holding it up appear in row B. The overhang does not affect the view from Dress Circle seats, the pillars, do!

Seats are divided into three blocks by gangways. The outer two blocks follow the curve of the horseshoe shaped circle towards the sides of the theatre. Each gangway has a double height bar at the end of it - it does not really affect the view (except in A 6 and 12) but the picky like to know these things and sit one seat in from them, the monkey finds.

The circle has a shallow rake, making rows from E back seem far from the stage. One reader reports a poor view from row E back too.

In the centre block, B 7 to 13, C 8 to 13, B 4,5,15,16, C 4,5,16,17 are the ones at the better end of average. Some also like central row A very much too - note that row A 6 and 12 have that safety bar in front of them.

The remaining central block seats are between pillars and sitting here feels like watching through goalposts.

Side block seats offer an odd viewing angle. Seats here face the stage at an angle - the view of centrestage is fine. The view of the sides less so.

Seats behind the pillars are poor value with a bad view. Theatremonkey advises not buying them.

Wheelchair users can either sit at seat E17, or transfer is possible from a wheelchair to E4, 5, 16 or 17.  See notes. Seats on the ends of the row have some of the worst restricted views. E 5 or 17 are best bet, feels the monkey. 

Legroom is poor, worst in row A, though one reader disagrees - "the seats in row A appeared to have more legroom not less as stated in your seating plans". A fair point feels the monkey, though it's rating was based on the idea that the wall in front prevents you from stretching or changing leg position. Still, worth noting the reader's view and could be good if you are not too tall.

Another reader says,
"I specifically booked row F as the seating plan shows a space in front of that row which suggests extra legroom and two members of my family are over 6 foot tall.  In fact the row had even less legroom than elsewhere in the dress circle and my 6'4" husband had to move to a restricted view seat.  So be warned, avoid row F if you are tall.


UPPER CIRCLE
The Balcony overhangs the Upper Circle at row B, pillars holding it up appear in row B. The overhang does not affect the view from Upper Circle seats, the pillars, as in the Dress Circle, do!

A metal bar runs across the front of the circle. This intrudes into the view from many seats, running horizontally across it. Vertical supports cut across the view of every fourth seat, notably in rows A and B. Further safety bars at the edges of the circle make row A seats 1,2,16 and 17 well worth missing.

Best seats are row B 7 to 14 and row C 8 to 14. Row D 11 to 14 are also good value when sold at fourth price. The shallow rake of the circle does not help sightlines from row D back.

As the circle curves like the Dress Circle below it, the first and last five seats in each row face the stage at an angle - the view of centrestage is fine. The view of the sides less so. This makes these seats poor value.

Of the seats behind the pillars, consider paying more - they are too poor to recommend. 

Legroom is poor throughout the circle, worst in all of row A and in seat numbers B 5,6,15,16.

Reader James F summarises the situation,
"I sat in the Upper Circle (I believe it was E15 and 16) and could not wait for the production to end. The seats leg room was really small, which meant everyone was really uncomfortable. I recommend buy two seats next to each other (one for you, or one for your legs) or buy the much cheaper standing tickets and you will not have to suffer the pain and you will enjoy the production more."



BALCONY
Overhangs the Upper Circle at row B and is high up enough to see the pearly gates. A shallow rake means looking down is fortunately not particularly vertigo inducing. Rails in front of each row add to the secure feeling.

A metal bar runs across the front of the circle. This affects the view from all seats in rows A and B, running horizontally across it. Vertical supports also cut across the view of every fourth seat in rows A and B. Further safety bars at the edges of the circle make row A seats 1 and 20 worth avoiding.

As in the other circles, the first and last five seats in each row face the stage at an angle - the view of centrestage is fine. The view of the sides less so. This makes these seats poor value unless the first and last two seats in each of rows C to F (which are designated restricted view) and were often sold cheaply - not often the case any more, so avoid.

Without pillars to distort things further, at fifth price take any central seat going - row C first, then B or D, then A; which will be uncomfortable for those over four foot tall. For "Dickens Unplugged" (June 2008) row E is also worth a thought - cheaper than D but with a similar view.

Legroom is poor throughout the circle, worst in all of row A.



Notes
Total 796 seats.

Air-conditioned auditorium.

Infrared headsets available, as is guide dog sitting. Wheelchair spaces or transfer seating are in row E of the Dress Circle via an 8cm ramp at a side door and into the foyer. Chair footrests may have to be removed. No adapted toilets, the best in offer is down 6 stairs and a 64-cm wide door. A little construction work is needed here. Fuller details from www.theambassadors.com or 0844 8717 677; Artsline on 020 7388 2227 or e-mail artsline@dircon.co.uk

No food except Ice cream and confectionery.

Three bars. Foyer, Stalls and Upper Circle.

6 toilets. Stalls 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 5 cubicles; Upper Circle 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 3 cubicles; Balcony 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles


 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Getting to this Theatre
Find this theatre on a Street Map
Nearest Underground Station Buses Car Park
Nearest Underground Station:
Piccadilly Circus - Piccadilly (Dark Blue) and Bakerloo (Brown) lines.

Plan your tube journey to this station using the button below:

The escalator from the platforms ends in a large circular underground area. 

After leaving the barriers, turn to your left, and follow the curve of the barriers around until you see an exit to your right with the sign "Subway 4" over it. Walk under this sign.

Keep walking through this tunnel and ignore the first staircase marked "Shaftesbury Avenue". Continue along the tunnel passing the "Trocadero" doors, and follow it as it curves past another set of doors. Follow the arrow on the sign ahead of you that says "Eros" (the tunnel continues to the right). 

In this new section of tunnel, take the stairs ahead and to your right up to the street.

You will emerge near the Criterion Theatre. Walk ahead of you. If you see two roads - Piccadilly and Regent Street - with a "Zavvi Record Store" shop between them..., wrong way. 

You will come to a busy road, Haymarket. Railings prevent you crossing it. A large statue of horses is to your right. Turn to your right and walk down Haymarket. At the traffic lights, cross Haymarket. Continue walking downhill (your right as you cross). The next side street on your left is Panton Street. Turn into it and cross it to the Comedy Theatre.

 

Buses:
6,12,13,15,22B,38,53, 88,159 to Haymarket. Haymarket is a one way street. If you are travelling by bus from Trafalgar Square to Piccadilly Circus, leave the bus at Piccadilly Circus and follow the walking route above. If travelling from Oxford Street or Shaftesbury Avenue you will be able to leave the bus on Haymarket itself. Do so at the first stop in the street.

 

Car Park:
Whitcomb Street. Leave the car park, turn left and walk uphill. The first street on your left is Panton Street. Turn down it and pass the multiscreen film complex. Keep going straight on. The Comedy Theatre is in front of you.

Call Westminster City Council car parks on 0800 243 348 or see www.westminster.gov.uk/carparks for details. At this car park, parking under the "Theatreland Parking Scheme" allows a 50% discount in cost. Spaces CANNOT be reserved at these prices, so choose whether you would prefer to book and pay more, or use this scheme.

If you choose the "Theatreland Parking Scheme", you must get your car park ticket validated at the theatre's box office counter (the theatre attendant will insert the car parking ticket into a small machine which updates the information held on the magnetic strip on the reverse, thus enabling the discount). When you pay using the machines at the car park, 50% will be deducted from the full tariff. You may park for up to 72 hours using this scheme and it is endorsed by the Society of London Theatre.

For a full list of car parks that participate in the 50% off theatreland scheme here see www.westminster.gov.uk/carparks/theatreland.cfm, and for a full list of theatres that participate in the scheme see www.westminster.gov.uk/carparks/theatres.cfm.


 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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