An Independent Inside Guide to London Theatre and Concert Venues

Seating Plan Diagram

The stalls comprise four rows of benches surrounding a large square stage on three sides.

The seats are raked and so close to the stage that the atmosphere created is incredibly intimate. Every seat has a good view of the stage.

Prices are now differentiated only according whether you are in a front or side block - and at previews both blocks are the same price! Those seated in a side block nearest the back of the playing area will see a rear view of the actors most of the time, so the monkey advises selecting seats as close to the "centre block" end as possible, as you will pay the same wherever you sit in the block. 

Reader Vicki says,
"I sat in B41 in the stalls where there was ample leg-room and the padded bench was surprisingly comfortable." 

Another reader comments,
"We had side stall seats A 37 and 38, and a great view of the actor in the last scene only about 6ft away. If I could only get the side stall seats again I would go a few more rows back, so it would be a bit more eye level to the actors, rather than getting a view of them just above the knee when they are close."
 

Instead of seats down the sides in the stalls, consider taking row B in the side circle instead. The aerial perspective compensates better for the side view in the monkey's opinion.

Since the seats are benches, only a number stuck on the edge of the bench designates your bit of seat. Arrive a half-hour before the performance to stake your portion out. The benches are fairly short and this eliminates the need to publicly admit your broadness of beam by asking fellow members to move up and make room. Theatremonkey finds in any case even if you do have to ask, you will be ignored or at best find only someone five seats away will move a millimetre - no real help. Alas appealing to the ushers is your only recourse in this situation.

Reader KJ Hailes provides the illustrative detail,
"The theatre stresses me out because it's all bench seating.

I tend to adopt the attitude that everyone will muck in and shuffle along until we all find a happy medium and we're all comfortable but it doesn't work like that in these theatres. All of a sudden people become selfish. They desperately cling on to their piece of the bench until their fingertips bleed.

The ironic thing is, I arrived first and worked out which part of the bench was mine and claimed it. But when everyone else arrived - we all kinda squeezed up - and I lost ground. Then I looked around and it seemed like everyone else was sitting comfortably with their legs stretched out and their arms by their side and I was the only one like a sardine in a tin. Grrrrrrrrr."

Wheelchairs can replace Stalls seat D31, a fair view and value in Theatremonkey's opinion, better than the space in the Dress Circle. See notes.

Legroom is cramped throughout the stalls, best in row B (centre block) A (side block) and seats B 8, 13, 29, 41 C 9, 11, 30 and D 10.

DRESS CIRCLE 
called the CIRCLE in this theatre.

A thick bar runs around the front of this circle, which like the stalls, surrounds the stage on three sides. This bar is treble height at the corners affecting the view  from row A seats 12,14,33 and 35. A further bar runs across row B, but does not affect the view significantly. 

Seats in rows A and B are benches, and the same rules on arriving early apply. The rake is good, and this monkey prefers row B to row A as the bar on the front of the circle is less annoying. 

A reader says,
"We had seats B23 and B24 in the circle, plenty of leg room, the back rest was too upright for me, we was last to be seated and the people on each side had left enough room. A good view of the stage, apart from the front end was blocked by the bar that you mention. but, there was not much happening there, so it did not spoil the play I saw. I would recommend the Domar to anybody that would like to see their favourite actor close up. A very nice intimate theatre!"  

Centre block is best in the circle. Take stalls  Row A centre block first though, followed by circle centre block, then circle sides or Stalls rows B to D (if legroom is not an issue), and then stalls sides. Circle side block row B is now very good value at bottom price, feels the monkey.

A wheelchair can also be given space in the Dress Circle, but the view is not good, so choose stalls C31 instead. See notes.

Row C is located on the sides of the circle behind rows A and B. It is a bench, but some sadist has screwed it half way up a wall and put a wall in front of the row to lean on. Gymnastics are involved to get onto and stay on the bench, and the row is so narrow that you get to know fellow members of the audience very well while clambering to your seat.  At the same price as row B in front of it...well, any sane monkey knows which to choose first if possible!

Amusingly, the bench is half a person space too short, so hope for slim companions. Reader Alison Classe says:
"Incidentally, grateful thanks to the Monkey for his ever-reliable seating advice. After reading here that the bench on which I'd booked five seats was half a seat short, I was able to get an extra place at the last minute. Otherwise we'd have had to form a human pyramid, which would have been even more distracting."

Notwithstanding these comments the view is very good and offers exceptional value for money. Theatremonkey notes, however that some esteemed members of the silverhaired community do sometimes have real problems sitting here.

Brian McKinney, former publisher of Goodshow, the now sadly closed American Theatre Ticket Agency notes, "I've been uncomfortable in B, and bothered by the bar you mention in A, but C is the absolute worst." Following a return visit, he reflects, "Note to self: Never accept another balcony seat at the Donmar. Whoever designed those seats, which all pitch slightly forward, was not on speaking terms with whoever planned the human body".

Legroom is adequate throughout the circle, best in row B and, because of the fun design, row C, where six-foot persons could comfortably stand if they wished.

Notes
Total 252 seats. Some standing places also sold at box office discretion.

Air-cooled auditorium. Not as effective as proper air conditioning, so 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 overhangs. Just a bit of advice from someone in the theatre industry who has a grasp of physics...

Induction loop system. Signed performances regularly, occasional audio described performances. Guide dogs welcome in auditorium or dog sitter available. Wheelchairs have  level access is through the shopping mall, near a store called Quicksilver. The mall closes at 6.30 p.m. Users should pick a matinee or pre arrange the access to be opened if they want to leave after the evening show. Failing that, a ramp offers access to the narrow foyer corridor, with a lift to all levels. The adapted toilet is in the circle when the most used adapted seat / wheelchair space is in the stalls! www.artslineonline.com has comprehensive details.

No food except confectionery and Ice Cream.

Two bars, Stalls and Circle.

Five toilets. Stalls 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles; Circle 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles, 1 disabled unisex.

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

Leave the underground station and turn to the left. Walk straight on to a road called Long Acre. This is what you should see in front of you - Neal Street, the road you will want is to the right:
If instead of a road you see a pedestrianised area, Wrong way, turn around. 

Cross Long Acre to the other side of the road from the underground station. Turn to your right. Keep walking, the first turning on your left is Neal Street - as the picture above indicates. Take it. If instead you come to Langley Street first, wrong way.

The view up Neal Street.

At the end of Neal Street is a three-way road junction:

Look and turn to your left. The middle road is Earlham Street:
 

Cross into it and the theatre is a tiny shop doorway on the far side of the road, with a neon name sign above, set into a trendy pale brick shopping mall:

If you enter a pedestrian zone, or Shelton Street, wrong way.
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An alternate (some feel easier and safer) route from Leicester Square Underground Station is illustrated here - and the tube journey to the station can be planned using the banner below:

Careful - in the absence of kerbstones cars and pedestrians mix on the cobbles of this junction. Cross the road to the Cambridge Theatre and take the road to the left of it as you faced it across the square, Earlham Street. Walk along the side of the theatre and pass entrances to a shopping mall. The Donmar is beyond the mall, a tiny neon signed doorway.

The "Theatreland Parking Scheme" is in use here. Call Westminster City Council car parks on 0800 243 348 or see www.westminster.gov.uk/carparks for details. 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.