An Independent Inside Guide to London Theatre and Concert Venues

Seating Plan Diagram

The normal arrangement of seats is in a single block at one end of the room.

The seats rise steeply up to Dress Circle (LEVEL ONE as they call it) height. Almost all seats are fine with a good view and good legroom, just take whatever is closest to the stage. The prime ones are in the central block - normally rows B to J (though occasionally A, B, C or D go missing), just for proximity to the stage.

The only seats to consider before taking are in row A seats 12 to 16 and 36 to 40. At the side of the playing area, these seats are also sometimes placed behind a low black wall. This can annoy shorter people and those seeking greater legroom.

Row P has space for wheelchairs, row R for transferees. These are fine. See notes.

One reader says of row P:
"Can I just mention that there is confusion about row P in the regular format of the Cottesloe. The theatre technically lists it as 'Level 1' but the Box Office still say it is in 'The Pit' and I feel this is misleading.

It appears to be immediately behind the last row of The Pit (which you refer to as Ground Level) but there is one of those Cottesloe / Donmar annoying metal balustrades that means you have to lean forward to get a clear view. Relaxing in your seat is not an option and despite the fact that they charge to top price for these seats IMO for anyone with a delicate back, they are restricted view like the elevated front row of Level 1 and Level 2."

The stage quite often is at waist height to the front row. When this happens, it is sold more cheaply and is worth considering if you can live with the problems, thinks the monkey. For those wanting to see a little more of the stage, take row F back for the best views.

Monkey regular seat connoisseur James reports,
"Sat in F23 and F24 for “Chatroom / Citizenship” (November 2007) – nice and central, although I would have preferred to be a couple of rows further back to see the whole stage without turning my head. The rake is pretty good here too and I had a clear view."

at another production he says,
"Sat in seats G29 and G30 for “Harper Regan”.  Excellent rake, great view and even action that takes place on the upper level is easily seen without having to crane your neck."

Note that sometimes - with the normal layout - row B is held off-sale until production details are confirmed, with the front row confirmed during previews.

Any variations in seating plans for other forthcoming productions are confirmed during the preview period as the monkey gets details. 

DRESS CIRCLE 
Called LEVEL 1 in this theatre.

A single long row of seats on either side of the theatre, with an extra few seats behind. A thick metal bar and boards in front of the seats give sitting here the feel of sitting on a tower block balcony. The view is unspectacular. Sit here if you cannot get better seats, or prefer to sit down during promenade performances. 

When row "RR", a second short row of seats is used, they are often "bar stool" type affairs with footrests awkwardly positioned. The shorter may wish to avoid them.

One person observes that when the "end" stage is in use, views decline the closer you get to the stage.

UPPER CIRCLE
Called LEVEL 2 in this theatre.

The same applies as for level one, with the further disadvantage of being higher up. Rows S and T in the centre are adequate (but placed with the "control room" window in the centre of the row). Thick bars mean you may have to lean forward, and the seats can often be classed "restricted view." Many seats here are sold "on the day" only; so you will often be seated here just for the sheer luck of at least getting in. For others booking ahead, it will save a few pounds, but as an actual free will choice….

Reader Bis notes for "Landscape With Weapon,"
"My £10 ticket on Level 2 had a good view, although I was able to sneak a bit nearer to the stage a few seconds before the start. If one is buying tickets it should be noted that the stage is in the middle of the auditorium and so the "bar seats" in the wings should be avoided."

Notes
Seats 300 approx.

Air conditioned auditorium.

Audio described and signed performances regularly. Headset system available. Guide dog sitter available. All printed information available in large print, on tape and in Braille. Minicom at the box office. Access to Cottesloe is level. Free car parking in centre car park for orange badge holders (get endorsement stamp at information desk). Lifts from car parks to all levels.

Adapted toilets (unisex, sadly) throughout theatre. Fuller details from www.theatre-access.co.uk, the theatre on 020 7633 0880, Artsline 020 7388 2227, email artsline@dircon.co.uk.  

Bars throughout the complex.

Restaurant, Buffet and Coffee bars in centre. Ice cream and confectionery in auditoriums. Theatremonkey rates the chocolate ice cream highly.

Adequate toilets throughout the centre.

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

A PHOTOGRAPH ILLUSTRATED VERSION of this walking route is available by clicking here.

For mobility impaired audience members, the Society of London Theatre provide a "photo map" - illustrated walking route to this venue from a near landmark and also Waterloo Station (the nearest fully accessible station) on their website www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk, via the theatre's listing page on that site.

This station has multiple exits, not clearly marked, so be careful! The best route is as follows:

Follow the exit signs marked "South Bank" and / or "Shell Exit" and / or "York Road Exit" from the platform to the surface. All lead to the same place! Leave the station and you will be on York Road.

Turn to your left, and walk past the Lloyds / TSB Bank. Ahead to your left is a huge silver steel rectangle. No, the monkey does not know what it is either. To the left of it, and behind, is a pedestrian passageway called "Sutton Walk"; which goes under a bridge. Take it, at the end is a fountain ahead of you. 

You are now on "Concert Road Approach". Turn to your left. The Royal Festival Hall is ahead of you. Walk towards it. You are in an area of grey concrete called Belvedere Road.

Turn to your right, walk along this street under the bridge, and note that the road name changes to "Upper Ground".

The Royal National Theatre is ahead of you to the right. The entrance to the Cottesloe Theatre is at the far end of the building, so walk on past the scenery entrance and along to a signpost pointing along a roadway with the entrance to the National Theatre underground carpark in it! 

The entrance to the Cottesloe Theatre is at the far end of this roadway, so turn left into this street, walk along and there, behind a column is the theatre on your left, about two thirds of the way down.

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If you have the misfortune to leave the station by the "Waterloo Road" exit, fear not. You can either walk through the Waterloo mainline station to the York Road exit, or take this route - CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY when choosing.

On leaving the glass doors, turn left. Walk to the corner, and turn left into "Mepham Street". Walk all the way to the end of it, avoiding the temptation to go under any bridges.

At the end of the street is York Road. Cross it. Ahead of you, to the left, is "Sutton Walk", the pedestrian road under the bridge. Take it.

You are now on "Concert Road Approach". Turn to your left. The Royal Festival Hall is ahead of you. Walk towards it. You are in an area of grey concrete called Belvedere Road.

Turn to your right, walk along this street under the bridge, and note that the road name changes to "Upper Ground".

The Royal National Theatre is ahead of you to the right. The entrance to the Cottesloe Theatre is at the far end of the building, so walk on past the scenery entrance and along to a signpost pointing along a roadway with the entrance to the National Theatre underground carpark in it! 

The entrance to the Cottesloe Theatre is at the far end of this roadway, so turn left into this street, walk along and there, behind a column is the theatre on your left, about two thirds of the way down.

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Another visitor suggest this route: Take the tube to the Embankment station and walk across the Hungerford  footbridge to the south bank, then walk past Festival Hall complex and under Waterloo Bridge.

The Royal National Theatre is ahead of you to the right. 

Walk past the stage door and the car park entrance, and the Cottesloe Theatre entrance is in a recess on the right.

Noted are the "Gorgeous views both up and down river on a good day or evening.". The monkey endorses this comment, especially at twilight!

Get off on the Bridge and look for the large advertising board on the roof of the National Theatre, facing the Thames. Take the stairs on this side of the bridge down to the ground. A safe crossing of the bridge can be made by taking the stairs down to first level and walking under it on a walkway linking the staircases either side of the bridge.

On the correct side staircase, leave it, turn to your right. The theatre is ahead of you to the right. 

The entrance to the Cottesloe Theatre is at the far end of the building, so walk on past the circular floor sculpture and past the centre doors of the theatre and at the end of the building turn right. 

Walk past the stage door and the car park entrance, and the Cottesloe Theatre entrance is in a recess on the right.

Leave the elevator and exit the building by the glass doors between the elevators. Once outside, turn to your right, and at the end of the building turn right. 

Walk past the stage door and the car park entrance, and the Cottesloe Theatre entrance is in a recess on the right.

Theatremonkey advises parking near the exit ramps for a fast getaway after the show, and strongly recommends you note the compass point, colour band and number of the nearest pillar you park by. Banquo's ghost has nothing on the haunted souls who wander the underground space, wailing for their transport each night. Some have been there since the place opened in the 1970's.

April 2007: Save on evening car parking with a 'Saver Carnet.' Buy six car park tickets in advance for the reduced price of £35 (normally £42). Valid for one year, each ticket allows entry and exit from the Car Park from 5pm Monday to Saturday, or at any time on Bank Holidays. To purchase a 'saver carnet,' contact Olu Akinyemi on 020 7620 0397.