Buying Tickets Online:	Other Box Office Information
Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.

Theatre Box Office: www.ticketmaster.co.uk provide the service for this theatre. This system allows you to choose your own seats.   Booking fees per ticket for online bookings: A £1.25 per ticket booking fee is charged. An optional £2.85 per booking (not per ticket) postage fee is also added. No postage fee is charged if you choose to collect your tickets on the day at the venue, rather than have them mailed to you. Other Online Choices (with S.T.A.R. genuine ticket agencies): For performances until 19th October 2013, Theatremonkey readers can buy some top non-premium price £50 tickets (from agency / offer allocation) reduced to £27.50 each at all Monday to Friday performances ONLY. OR Top non-premium price £52.50 tickets (from agency / offer allocation) reduced to £37.50 each at all Saturday to Friday performances ONLY. Ticket selection is from agency's allocation. Subject to allocation availability, change, withdrawal and agency discretion. Book online at the Theatremonkey Ticketshop. Click the "book now" button. Or else book by telephone from LoveTheatre, quoting "Theatremonkey Ticketshop" on 020 7420 9778 (0044 207 420 9778 if calling from outside the United Kingdom). At other times, when the theatre does not have the tickets you desire available, it is well worth trying the Theatremonkey Ticketshop agency, telephone 020 7420 9778 (0044 207 420 9778 if calling from outside the United Kingdom), which offers £50 seats with a £7.50 fee (£8 on £52, £5.80 on £38.50 seats) - moderate by agency standards, though higher than box office fees, worth trying as they often have an alternative choice of seats available! Note that this system will confirm exact seat numbers prior to purchase. Another alternative is www.seetickets.com / telephone 0870 830 0200 which offers £50 seats with a £5 fee (£5.20 on £52 seats) and £2.75 per booking (not per ticket) postal charge. (FREE call if using BT.com Calling Plan at your chosen times). Encore Tickets (telephone 0207 400 1253 / 0044 207 400 1253 if calling from outside the United Kingdom) offer £50 seats with a £13 booking fee per ticket (£14 on £52, £7 on £25 seats). A postage charge of £2 per booking, not per ticket may be applied to bookings made from UK addresses more than 5 days before the performance. The "Flexiticket" Exchange Service, allowing FREE transfer / cancellation (credit note up to 12 months) of your booking up to 3 days before the performance is also available for £2.50 per ticket. Discounts and "Meal and Show" packages may also be available. Quality and Value hotel / theatre ticket packages are also available. Lastminute.com offer £50 seats with a £4 booking fee per ticket (£4 on £52, £3 on £38.50, £2.50 on £28.50, £2 on £25, £1.50 on £15 seats). NOTE: Seat numbers are NOT available in advance from this company. All seats booked in the same price group will, of course, be together or at the very least be in front or behind each other in the theatre. In the very unlikely event of this not being possible this company will call you and give you the option of cancelling your booking. However if booking in two or more price bands, you will not be sat together. Please DO NOT purchase if this is unacceptable to you, as all tickets are sold subject to this condition. Discounts and "Meal and Show" packages may also be available. Quality and Value hotel / theatre ticket packages are also available. Londontheatredirect.com offer £50 and £52 seats with a £10 fee. A box office collection fee of £1.50 OR, if time allows, postage charge option of £2.75 (£3.75 to non-UK addresses) per booking, not per ticket applies to all bookings. Optional Ticket Insurance is also available. Discounts and Meal and Show Packages may also be available. ALSO SEE Tickettree.com for great value "hotel and theatre ticket" packages. Other Independent S.T.A.R. ticket agencies may also offer an alternative choice of seats.

Box Office Information:

Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.

Theatre Box Office: Telephone: 0844 847 1778 ( 0161 385 3211 if you cannot use the 0870 number) Operated by Ticketmaster on behalf of the venue. Booking fees per ticket for telephone bookings: A £1.25 per ticket booking fee is charged. An optional £2.85 per booking (not per ticket) postage fee is also added. No postage fee is charged if you choose to collect your tickets on the day at the venue, rather than have them mailed to you. For personal callers or by post: Piccadilly Circus, London. SW1Y 4XA No booking fee for personal callers. Special Access Needs Customers: Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats on 020 7839 8811 and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them. The wheelchair users line connects to the theatre box office in London. See Notes.

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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. This theatre is underground. It is a very long walk down to the stalls and longer back up to the surface. The infirm or those not related to mountain goats (theatremonkey fortunately has a caprine third cousin) should consider the Upper Circle, which is only just below street level! One reader says, "I thought the theatre was rather nice. Deep under the ground and very old, you could sometimes hear the tube rattling above you. To me, it just added to the magic and the period of the play (you'll see why if you go)!"

Seating Plan Diagram

Stalls

Dress Circle

Upper Circle

Notes

STALLS    Layout: A single block of seats face the stage.  The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row H. Circle overhang noticeably affects the view of the top of the stage from row M back. Pillars in rows J, K, N and P further affect views from the rear stalls. The rake (sloped floor to help see over rows in front) is shallow throughout the stalls. Legroom: Legroom is adequate throughout the Stalls for all under 6ft or so, best in row A. Those over 6ft might "check their legs into the cloakroom" according to one reader in row M, though. Choosing Seats in General: Rows A to H seats 5 to 20 offer at least fair value - central seats near the front - E to H 5 to 20 being prime. Sitting here minimises the risk of both the shallow rake and pillars at top price. For bargains, forage at the edges of row A to E (A to F on the "high numbers" side). Often officially "restricted view" stalls seats are: A 4 and 21, B 3 to 6, C 2, 3 and 24; D 2 and E 2. An extended proscenium wall seems to be the cause and some readers may want to avoid the seats next to these too. On the other hand, the view is pretty good unless the actors stand far over to the side of the stage... and the price is lower too... Some feel that C3 and 23 and M 4 and 21 are worthwhile at fourth price, despite restricted views, and a few others are happy with the first seats in rows D, E, L and M too at the same price. Rows J to L seats 1 to 4 (L 2 to 4) and 19 to 22 should be avoided as the first pillars interfere here. Accept row J to L seats 5 to 18 grudgingly - frankly, the rest are better. In the rear stalls row P 12, 15 and 16 normally combine second price with a reasonably pillar free view. All other second price seats are not on this monkey's to buy list unless legroom is a factor. The rest of the Stalls seats can cheerfully be ignored by most, though, is the feeling. General Hazard Notes: A shallow rake frustrates shorter folk everywhere in the stalls. Pillars throughout the rear stalls: affected seats are K 1 and 21; L 2; M 2, 4 and 21; N 1, 3, 4 and 20; P 1 to 4, 7 and 17 to 22; Q 1 to 7, 11, 14, 15, 18 to 24; R 1 to 7, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 19 to 23; S 4 to 7, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 18 to 21. Seats are upholstered in a pink shade hitherto unknown to nature. One reader also rates them old, uncomfortable and creaky too... Changes for the current production: Almost all rear stalls are at third price, making these less avoidable than usual - but still worth picking those not actually behind a pillar, of course. Reader Comments: "A 10 and 11: "The 39 Steps," (Rebecca). I'm 4ft 11 and I have seen it twice now from row A, seats 10 and 11: It requires some looking up, but I really enjoy the close proximity of the actors, and getting to see every bit of subtlety in their comedic performances. I found leg room here to be average. The seats are a little uncomfortable, but as a comedy the show is shorter than most musicals, so it's less noticeable." "A16: OK, it’s very close to the action – but it was great!" "B 5 and 6: Permanently cheaper because of the restricted view. Sitting in the seats and looking directly forward you are looking at a wall; seat 6 is where the wall ends so that was the better seat. In seat 5 I couldn’t see about 10% of the action, and at the scene in the hotel lobby which is at the far right of the stage I could hardly see anything. I could see the stagehand, though. Seat 6 had no such problem. Some of the action also takes back at the far right back of the stage which is impossible to see from seat 5. The saving grace is that row A ends at seat 5 so seat 5, 4 and 3 have acres of leg room, albeit with a side view. For 90% of the show though the view is superb, and well worth the £22.50 instead of £47.50 ticket price when we saw it (August 2010). The theatremonkey seating plan is slightly wrong as seat B4 has no seat in front of it (not wrong, just unable to show it for technical reasons - editor). With the seat colour, carpet and wall paint I always feel like I’m sitting in some one’s lounge at the Criterion! (The monkey raised the rating of B6 for view, and left the rest 'fair value' for comfort reasons if nothing else). "Row C: neck-ache!" "E3: The seat was awful. There is no rake, meaning that if a tall person, or a person with a very dodgy hair-do sits in front of you - you've had it. This meant that I missed much of the first act, as I couldn't see the performance clearly, and also without the people behind poking me saying that I was blocking their view!. In the interval, I spoke to an usher, and they kindly let me sit in the Dress Circle - which again had lots of pillars in view, but was much better than my stalls seat." "E11: (Tom). I got this at a reduced price. This is a small, pretty theatre and E11 is an excellent seat. I wouldn't like to sit further forward as it's a rather 'shouty' performance. There is almost no rake at the front and the seats aren't staggered here so someone tall in the row in front would cause a problem. The seats also seem to be strangely noisy, and if half a dozen people choose to re-settle at the same time it is a bit distracting! By London standards the seats and leg room are reasonable." "E 16: (Jon B). My seat in the stallswas fine with a good close view of the stage and reasonable leg room. There's very little rake on the stalls so you could be unlucky if someone tall sits in front of you." "E18 and 19: gave a good view of the stage and provided adequate legroom." "Row F: Centre. this view was just fine as I had an unblocked view of the stage and was able to enjoy the play." "F6 and 7: were good seats, with a good view of the stage and with sufficient room even for me at over 6 ft." "F17 and 18: at £22.50 each with no booking fee. Perfect seats with a full view of the stage." "Row G: next time I would definitely choose the dress circle. The rake of the stalls is non-existent and being of fairly average height, I found it hard to make out some of the tap dancing etc at the production I saw." "Row K: My seats were great - central to the stage about 10 rows back. I was a little worried as I'm rather short, but the view was okay as long as a giant wasn't sitting in front of me." "K 12 and 13. (B). Good seats, dead centre; a perfect view of everything. The Criterion Theatre is marvellous, but there are seats I wouldn’t want to sit in. Best to check which ones have restricted views before purchasing them." "J 7 to 9: (JS). Fab seats, lots of legroom even for tall people. Would highly recommend. You could see perfectly and we were nowhere near the pillars." "Row M: (Jackie Bassom). Seats in row M gave a comfy view." "M11 and 12: It's a very small and cramped auditorium. We were wedged into M11 and 12 which were dead centre of the row towards the back. It seems that there is no rake, but the seats were staggered - which helped, as I had to look between two very large heads. The seats were pretty comfy, it has to be said, but partly because once you were in them there was no way you were moving again. It was almost like I was vacuum packed."   DRESS CIRCLE  Layout: A single block of seats face the stage, with a trio and pair of seats in the corners of the circle by the boxes too. The Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle at row B. Pillars holding it up are liberally scattered in front of row C. Legroom: Poor for the taller, though some seem to get away with it in row A a bit better than elsewhere. Choosing Seats in General: Row B seats 10 to 20 are the best value here, followed (for the less long legged) by row A 9 to 25. If given the choice though, this monkey opts for top price stalls instead. Of the other seats, only C 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18 and 19 are worthwhile since they are between the pillars. General Hazard Notes: Seats officially designated "restricted view" due to pillars are: row C 5, 9, 20 and 24; D 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 27 and 28; E 1 to 5, 8, 9, 13, 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28 and 29; F 4 to 7, 10, 21, 22, 25 to 27; G 6 to 9. AA 1, 2, 3, 28 and 29 also have viewing problems due to their position at the side of the circle. Changes for the current production: Row A 12 to 17 (plus 18 to 21 too on Saturdays) are "premium" seats at £5 more. Possibly worthwhile for the central view alone, feels the monkey. Reader Comments: "Row A: We had seats A22 and A23 in the Dress Circle, which had adequate legroom (friend 5’ 8”) and an excellent view." "A16 and A17: The view was great, and my long legged husband managed to sit through the performance without fidgeting! Of course, as in most older theatres, the seats are narrow." “A26 and 27: “The 39 Steps,” (Chris B). The Criterion feels very cosy and intimate as west end theatres go. These seats are to the very left as you look at the stage, but offer a good clear view. There is a safety rail to the left of seat A27 but it’s easy to look around especially if you know the person in A26, and it doesn't impact on the quality of the view. There is a large curve to the circle so these seats are much further forward than the central seats and you feel very close to the stage (They overhang about row H of the stalls) There is plenty of legroom too.” "B 6 to 9: (Dan). I went to see 'The 39 Steps' in December 2007. We had booked a 'best available seat' deal for the bargain price of £10 per ticket, and were allocated Dress Circle Row B, seats 6 to 9. For my friends in seats 6 to 8, the view was fantastic as there was no one in front of them. Unfortunately, I had a (normal-sized) gentleman in front of me in seat A9, whose head blocked out a portion of the centre of the stage for much of the performance. Strangely enough, I didn't actually miss much of the action, but I just wanted to advise fellow theatregoers that the Dress Circle rake at this theatre doesn't really count for much. I probably could have moved to one of the seats in Row AA, but didn't think this would actually improve things due to the odd viewing angle from there. In any case, for £10 I was hardly complaining!" "D6 and 7:  Although we paid less than half the price, I personally wouldn't have minded paying full price for these. The legroom is very small, but the chairs are comfortable. The view is outstanding. I was worried about the pillars, but they are so small, that neither of us had an obstructed view at all! It was quite a charming place to sit, you could see everything in pure detail (on stage, and around the theatre). I would sit here anyday." "D13 - Hated the show but was a good seat none the less, I think Stalls would be better in this theatre as I felt a bit distant."   Dress Circle Boxes Layout: Boxes A, B, C and D are at Dress Circle level. All are located at the sides of the theatre, either side of the stage. A and B seat 4 people, C and D seat 2. Legroom: Good, as seats are movable chairs. Choosing Seats in General: Boxes A and B are best, followed by C and D if you can tolerate the side views. These boxes offer a good alternative to all the pillar blighted seats in the rest of the theatre. General Hazard Notes: An odd viewing angle prevents seeing the nearest edge of the stage to the box. Changes for the current production: None. Reader Comments: None.   UPPER CIRCLE Layout: This overhangs the Dress Circle at row B. Two block of seats faces the stage, divided by a centre aisle. Legroom: Very tight in all seats - a six foot tall reader stood rather than sit in row A. Choosing Seats in General: Being fairly low and without any pillars (how does the roof stay up?) these seats are good value normally. Select row B first, then C, then A as last resort - it is much more expensive too, so go for B and save money!  Two wheelchair spaces next to C20. The view is slightly restricted but adequate value. General Hazard Notes: The shallow rake makes for problems in rows B and C if those in front lean forwards. Changes for the current production: None. Reader Comments: "Upper Circle: (Taljaard). Paid £27.50 for a decent view on the top shelf." "Row A: I am six foot tall and I was sat in the upper circle in the front row - and I just couldn't fit in at all, ended up having to sit sideways and then just stood to the side instead. I was given the ticket for £10 and even at that price it wasn't worth it." "B11 to 13: The front row may be cramped but I would try it if I wanted to go again. I was in B11, my daughter and wife were in B12 and B13. My wife had difficulty until she could lean sideways after B14 and B15 decamped to somewhere in C. I was lucky, A10 and A11 did not turn up, but if A11 had done his/her head would have been centre stage. My wife tells me that row C were complaining and asking, without success, to be moved." "B 21 to 23: (Simon). £25 from Ticketmaster. Good value we thought; decent legroom (I'm 5'11") and a good view even for my 10 year-old, albeit through the gaps between the heads in row A - only a problem if they leaned forward. There were no seats behind us so we could have sat on a coat or bag for extra height if we'd needed to!" "B24 and B25: The view was great - just an ever so slight obstruction by the hand rail which meant a small part of the left hand side of the stage was obscured but it didn't detract. Next time, I would be quite happy to sit in the centre of Row C as that view was perfect (I tried out a few of the empty seats!)."   Upper Circle Boxes Layout: Boxes E and F are at Upper Circle level. Both are located at the sides of the theatre, either side of the stage. Both seat 2 people. Legroom: Good, as seats are movable chairs. Choosing Seats in General: These offer a side view of the stage. Sold at third price normally, these boxes offer a good alternative to all the pillar blighted seats in the rest of the theatre for those willing to lean a lot. General Hazard Notes: The odd viewing angle preventing seeing the nearest edge of the stage to the box unless you lean right up against the wall. Changes for the current production: None. Reader Comments: "Box E: (James). The view was fine for £10, but you really do have to lean forwards to see anything, almost out of the box! Hard on the legs too, as you're pressed right up against the edge of the box. Also worth knowing is that the boxes can only be booked over the phone, and no booking fee or postage was charged at all, unlike for the other seats in the theatre!"   Notes Total 590 seats. Air-conditioned auditorium. Reader Tom rated it good in July 2010. Hearing loop available. Occasional signed performances. Guide dog sitter available. Access to Wheelchair places via firedoor and down a slope. Adapted unisex toilet available (segregated would have been nicer). Specific details www.theatre-access.co.uk, Artsline 020 7388 2227, email artsline@dicon.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. No food except Ice cream and confectionery. Two Bars. Stalls and Dress Circle. 2 toilets. Dress Circle 1 gents 3 cubicles, 1 ladies 8 cubicles. Reader Sara Levene comments, "I would like to commend this theatre for having 8 cubicles in the stalls’ Ladies loo – all female theatregoers will understand that this is a very positive recommendation."

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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. 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. Walk through this tunnel and ignore the first staircase to your right, marked "Shaftesbury Avenue". Continue along the tunnel passing the "Trocadero" doors, and follow it as it curves round. Follow the arrow on the sign ahead of you that says "Eros" - it points on down the tunnel to your right.  In this new section of tunnel, take the stairs ahead and to your right up to the street. At the top of the stairs, the Criterion Theatre is to your right.

Buses: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 38, 55, 88, and 159 to Piccadilly Circus.   Taxi: A rank for Black taxis is at Charing Cross Station - a good distance from the theatre, if you cannot hail one in the busy street outside the venue.

Car Park: Denman Street. Leave the car park and turn to your left. Walk to the end of the street into Shaftesbury Avenue. If you pass the Piccadilly Theatre, wrong way. At Shaftesbury Avenue turn to your right and walk along through the covered area filled with ATM cash points and artists towards Piccadilly Circus. If you pass the Lyric Theatre, wrong way. On Piccadilly Circus, pick any crossing route to the statue known as Eros (actually the Angel of Charity, Lord Shaftesbury's monument) - a bloke with a bow and arrow. This stands on a large pedestrian area on one side of the square. The Criterion Theatre is behind it.

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Performance Times

Ticket Prices

Where to Buy Tickets

Seating Plan

Seat Opinions

Getting Here

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