STALLS
The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row K. The views from
row P back are slightly affected by this - the top of the set cannot be seen.The positions of the walls at the front of this theatre mean that the first
and last two seats of rows C to F face walls rather than the stage. These seats
can be great value when sold at restricted view prices. Unfortunately they are
often sold at top price. When they are, just enquire if the wall has been
demolished - the reply will be negative - and insist on central seats. The
monkey has always enjoyed the atmosphere of rows AA to C for proximity
to the stage. The enclosing walls create a very intimate atmosphere at
the front of this theatre. The only problem is the neck ache - when used
row AA is often sold cheaply, to account for
it. Sadly, rows BB and A may
also be out for many whose health
cover does not run to physiotherapy - especially at top price.
With A as the front row, B might be worth skipping too. "Backbeat"
(October 2011) has row A as "Day Seats" cheaply - worth a look, feels
the monkey.
In use, row BB suffers limited legroom unless the row in front is removed
notes Tim, a
regular monkey reader, but he feels AA is worthwhile particularly. For the price
I
think
they are pretty decent seats, sat in worse!" (when available).
Another reader agrees with Tim, at a previous production,
"AA5 and AA6: the seats were really brilliant, although we
did have to look up but having the whole cast standing within touching distance really is an unforgettable experience."
Theatremonkey regular seat connoisseur James sums up row A with
this,
"Sat in Stalls A1 to A3 for “Under The Blue Sky” (July 2008). Ordinarily
I wouldn’t book so far forward but the tickets were free so I wasn’t
complaining! I was pleasantly surprised though… I thought I’d have to
crane my neck a lot but it wasn’t really that bad although there is
quite a bit of action that takes place with people sat on the stage
rather than standing so perhaps it would be more of a problem if this
weren’t the case. Good seats overall, though, but if you’re paying full
price I’d go a few rows further back."
The monkey sentiment precisely, with reader Mark adding,
"A9: Excellent seat! Not too close to induce neck pain, but close enough
to feel involved with the performance. Some people may find it too
close, but I personally love to be this close to see all the actors
expressions."
At 'Journey's End' (August 2011) another reader confirms,
"A2: Sat here for £25 - what a bargain loads of leg room. The stage does
feel high but I think this is due to the stage front projecting forward
12" from the actual stage making the view seem higher than it really is,
You have a great view of the entire stage - only unable to see the
actors feet ( for this production WWI boots ) so no real loss! You have
a great feeling of intimacy with the actors as the stage walls are quite
close to the end of the front rows. I had no problem with neck ache. For
this production the feeling of being so close to the action only added
to the experience of watching a wonderful play. A great value seat."
In row B, reader Rebecca says,
"We had Stalls seats B5 and 6 which are roughly in the centre of the row
and we didn't think that we were too close to the stage. I wasn't aware
of any neck-ache looking up at the stage. Leg room wasn't great (I'm 5ft
9) but was by no means uncomfortable."
Reader Hannah M reports,
"I was sat in C11 of the stalls, which was brilliant. Leg room is OK, fine for
averagely sized me at least, but isn’t hugely generous. This seat is very
central and far enough away from the stage so you don’t get a crick in your
neck, but close enough so that you see everything and feel really in on the
action. I would say it is worthy of a green rating, but then I was paying a
bargain £25 Studentmonkey price…"
Reader David comments,
"Sat in row C8 and C9. Good legroom and perfect to see all expressions
and hear the excellent dialogue. The front rows of the stalls look as
though they should be avoided and very likely to cause a 'crick in the
neck', as although the stage is sloped forwards it is also quite high.
Row C is about about 5 rows back as the theatre has A, AA, B, BB method
of identification and fellow theatre goers will have no problem where we
sat."
One row back, a reader says,
"I and my friends were in D row in the stalls (seats 3, 4 and 5) and, as before,
I would have preferred less amplification, which was even more hard on the ears
in the front stalls than in the front of the dress circle (seat A5) where I sat
last time."
Another row D reader says,
"We'd booked seats for row D of the stalls in the dead centre, I really couldn't
ask for seats any better than these. I didn't miss a thing from these seats at
all they were actually perfect. The leg room was also really really good, being
5'11 I usually find some seats quite restricting on my knees but I had plenty of
room. The seats aren't the most comfortable I've sat in at a theatre but were
still very good."
Still in D, a reader says for "Twelfth Night" (December 2009),
"D17 and 18: had a good view and was close to the stage without having
to look up. I would avoid D19 and E20 and 21 as you will be facing a
wall and have to turn left to see the stage."
Another says, at a different show,
"D19 and 20: view not especially brilliant,
but plenty of legroom."
When the ends of D and E
mentioned above are
cheaper, monkey likes, as it is prepared to tolerate the slight
sightline problems. Worth a punt for
those willing to see a little wall as well as stage, feels the monkey.
"Backbeat" (October 2011) has them at a discount. Monkey would
cheerfully take these before central seats further back in row R.
Another reader, James
F says,
"I sat in seats E13 and 14 which delivered a view close to the
action, but for top price tickets my view was often obscured by the
people in front of me, who weren’t that tall, and also the actors. The
legroom was great, but for a near three hour production, you bum does
get sore after a while." From the same row, another reader
opines,
"centre of Row E in the Stalls, the view was great as it wasn't blocked
by another member of the audience." For "Backbeat" (October 2011) central seats in rows D to H are designated "premium"
and cost more. There's seats as good nearby, so a case of whether you
feel it worthwhile, thinks the monkey... who doesn't really, if you can
get rows / seats particularly close to this zone. With a high stage in use, a reader says of a
previous show,
"We were sat in the middle of the Stalls, row J which were very good
seats! I wouldn't have wanted to be any further back, maybe a couple of
rows further forward. Be advised that the floor of the main set is about
two feet above the stage and the front five or six rows of the Stalls
will have to look upward or slightly upward for most of the play." Theatremonkey regular
seat connoisseur James reports,
"Sat in G9 and G10 for “Rent”. Great seats to see the show from, but
even row G felt a little far forward, especially when action takes place on a
raised walkway, but I’m not the tallest of people." At the end of the
row, another reader says,
"Stalls G1 and G2, no problem with the view as the play is set quite
centrally, but the dear old wall is still there." One reader did
have a problem at "Ghost Stories" (July 2010) though,
"G8 and 9: Thought these would be good... until 3 x 6' guys sat in front
of us and blocked the entire middle of the stage, where what little
action there was actually happened." Another reader reports similar issues with row J ends,
"Seat J21 (end of the row) and the person in front of me was not especially
tall. But at row J there is no elevation/rake from the row in front and the
angle of vision to the centre of the stage was blocked by the head in front."
Again not something the monkey (or the theatre) had heard about before, but
some visitors may find knowing about this issue helpful. The rest of the
stalls to row O are comfortable with a good rake, offering at least
average value for money. The monkey picks rows F to J as prime value.
One reader comments,
"Checked online before I went out and saw that there were lots and lots
of unsold seats. Went into the theatre and bought the cheapest £10
ticket in the back row of the upper circle, and was immediately upgraded
to Row J stalls (in the premium seats!). Seat was very good, although I
really wouldn't think it is worth the extra money for "premium" seats."
A reader reports that row N is not "staggered" sufficient to see
around people in row M ahead of you. These seats should possibly be avoided by
the shorter person as it could cause a problem, though none has been reported to
the box office at any point and the rake is good enough to generally allow a
clear view of the stage, in the monkey's opinion. The cause is suspected to be a
problem with flooring, allegedly...
Still, a reader says,
"N17 and 18: Great seats (on discount), would have liked to be a few
rows further forward but I could still see everything from where I was."
Row P has thick pillars either end, which are missing on the seating plan.
This creates a whole new environment for rows P to U, which feel like a large
room tacked behind the main theatre. The rake is not great here, but the lower
prices in rows R to U usually marks out these seats as pretty acceptable value
for money. Go further forward when all seats are the same price, though. At the same price, the monkey might try for the
front row first - it personally prefers neck ache to circle overhang in view.
From row Q at "Backbeat" (October 2011) a reader feels,
"Q1 and 2: great seats from Leicester Square booth, great discount price
£30 each."
Row U for "Backbeat" (October 2011) is £10 cheaper than the row in
front. Given that the view is about the same, the price at the back
isn't unreasonable - and it'll be more comfortable than the more
expensive upper circle.
"Backbeat" (October 2011) has a sound desk replacing S 1 to 5, T 1 to
6 and U 1 to 4. Purists should avoid, anybody else won't notice.
Legroom is good in rows AA (when used) to Q, except row BB (poor), adequate in R to U. Best legroom in
AA 1 to 10, B1, 12,
C 1, 2, 15, 16, D 1, 19 and E 1, 21; all of which have no seats in front.
Stalls Boxes
G and H at Stalls level, at either side of the stage, offer fair views
with a side-on viewing angle and the nearest rear corner of the stage
obscured.
DRESS CIRCLE
Called the ROYAL CIRCLE in this theatre.
The Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle but does not affect the view from
any seat.
A fairly shallow rake makes the view average from row D back. In the rear
Dress Circle, row F seats 6 to 13 are expensive at top price, feels the monkey.
It would
skip the ends, even at second price, to avoid the worst of the circle curve cutting into views.
The length of rows B and C cause B1, 2,21,22 and C1, 2,23 and 24 to be
designated restricted view. Walls cut the edges of the stage off and a strange
viewing angle is created - it feels like peering round a corner. At low price
these are at least fair to good value, but are to be avoided at full price.
If as at "Backbeat" (October 2011) row A 8 to 13 and B 10 to 15 are
designated "premium," then for legroom it skips them (in favour of same
priced stalls if you have to), and there are seats as good nearby, so a
case of whether you feel it worthwhile, thinks the monkey... who doesn't
really.
At "Backbeat" (October 2011) reader Richard reports,
"Row C: We sat in the middle of row C, which were good seats, but the
Duke of York is such a small theatre that I don't think there's a poor
seat in the house."
A reader comments,
"Row D seats 12 and 13 the view was perfect (no heads in the way), the sound quality fab,
the leg room good, the chair size adequate"
Another reader says otherwise,
"We went sat in seats D6 and D5. The leg room was exceedingly poor and it was
difficult to hear - if someone opened a bottle of water it was louder than the
people on stage. Also as the leg room was so bad, people were restless and
constantly shifting around in their seats. The view was restricted by the people
sitting in front of us- who weren't even especially tall (5ft 4?). I think only
people in the centre of Row A of the Dress circle would have had a good view
from the Circle. A fat person in Row A stood up during the ovation in a vain
attempt to catch Orlando Bloom's eye and in so doing restricted the view of
every person in the Dress Circle."
Behind, in row E, another reader comments,
"We had Row E13 and 14: Fine at £25 but I'm not sure I would pay full
price for them. The view is actually fine, but the Upper Circle makes
you feel a little claustrophobic!"
Seats at the extreme ends of row F are normally cheaper. At top price, just
about average, feels the monkey. The monkey would take the cheaper ones in B and
C before these, to be honest. "Backbeat" (October 2011) has row F at second
price - the monkey would go for the cheaper row U in the stalls first, or the
stalls rows in front of U for comfort. In the case of the B and C
seats the monkey would take stalls row U for comfort.
Two wheelchair spaces in restricted view sides of Dress Circle. Theatremonkey
rates the left side better than the right, and current prices are fair value.
Still, a better view would have been nice if possible. See notes.
On the whole, this hairball prefers the stalls at the same price, but will
accept the circle if it has to. The box office manager though, disagrees and
prefers the Dress Circle... - as does a reader who rates A5 outstanding - so everyone has an opinion here!
Legroom is poor in all seats, notably row A.
Dress Circle Boxes
Boxes A and D at Dress Circle level, at either side of the stage, offer
fair views with a side-on viewing angle and the nearest rear corner of the stage
obscured.
Boxes B, C, E and F are further along the walls at Dress Circle level. These
offer a more comfortable viewing angle. C and F then B and E (in that order)
offer especially attractive options for comfortable well-priced Dress Circle
seating at less than full price. At full price, they may be considered a little
average. B and E at second price might be attractive for comfort at second
price, perhaps, to some wanting more legroom and a Dress Circle view.
UPPER CIRCLE
A disused balcony (housing a recording studio!) overhangs all rows on the
Upper Circle. This does not affect the view from any seat.
Central seats row A 5 to 16 are at third price, more than rows
behind. For some productions it isn't, luckily. When they
are, not for "Backbeat" (October 2011), if legroom isn't an
issue and you prefer not to lose the top of the stage, these may be
better than the first or last row of the stalls... the monkey goes for
first row stalls first, then maybe the last row, or possibly the slightly more
expensive rear stalls in front of that,
though. Otherwise, you may as well sit one row back for the same view at
lower prices, feels the monkey.
Reader James feels,
"In general at the Duke of York, legroom is poor and in
the Upper Circle as soon as someone in row A leans
forward, you can't see the front of the stage."
Something the monkey hadn't noticed but would welcome comment on.
If tickets are split into two prices from A back
to F, the most
central seats are more expensive than the rest. Monkey view is to take
the seats beside the most expensive first, then pay extra before moving
out to the sides of the auditorium.
"Backbeat" (October 2011) has this variation and goes further: all
central upper circle seats are at second price. A isn't much good for
legroom, B and C distinctly "average" - and worse for the taller - at
the price. Go for stalls row R centre at the same price before these,
the monkey feels.
All remaining seats are more reasonably priced, so for the monkey it is just a case of
picking the most central and
avoiding the worst of the restricted views by skipping the outermost
seats if possible.
Reader Marty comments, for "Arcadia" (June 2009),
"E16 and E17: The view was fine. (once the girls in front of us stopped
leaning forward) Apart from a very tiny bit of acting on the floor
downstage at one point I could see everything. The acoustics and the
projection of the actors were perfect and I never got that feeling of
not being involved you sometimes get sitting in the gods. The whole
upper circle were laughing and part of the experience. Bring water if
it's a hot day as it was a bit muggy up there. There's a balcony in the
upper circle bar with limited room, so good to head there first during
the interval for some fresh air."
The first and last two seats at least in rows B to F are normally sold as restricted
view, due to the same 'peering round corners' effect as in the Dress Circle
below. At bottom price take a box instead. There is no real bargain to be had in
sitting here. Note that seats B 1, 2, 22 and 23 and C 1, 2, 23 and 24 have been
pressed into service again after not being used for a while due to this issue.
The seats next to these - two or three in each row also used to be discounted,
but are now merged into the next price up.
One reader comments,
"We paid £30 each for seats C17 and 18 in the Upper Circle. There is no
leg room at all - I am 5' 8" and my knees just wouldn't fit - my legs
went to sleep and we just had to move elsewhere after the interval. The
Americans sitting next to us couldn't get over how bad the seats were
for the price charged. Be very careful where you sit in this theatre.
Surely something could be done to improve this."
Rows G and H are a long way from the stage and normally offer poor value -
pick a box or seats a row or two further forward (but not on the absolute ends
of the row) instead. They are benches too - so arrive early to stake out your
bit (and hope there is nobody too vast sharing the row that night!).
All other seats offer a clear view - though parts of the stage can be missing - and fair value for money relative to the price and position of the seats.
Reader Rob says of "Little Shop of Horrors" (March 2007):
"Sat in row D 16 and 17, fairly good view. I see no reason for people to lean
forward in these seats but they still did! Lad in front of me was very
accommodating and sat back after I asked, lad in front of my partner had no-one in front of him but still spent whole show
'elbows on knees' leaning
forward and spoiled it for next 3 rows behind him."
Legroom is poor in all seats, worst in row A.
Upper Circle Boxes
Boxes J, K, L, M, N and O are at Upper Circle level. these are a good
choice when sold, offering cheap restricted view seating with decent legroom -
worth considering.
Notes
Total 659 seats.
Air-conditioned.
Infrared loop in whole auditorium. Occasional signed
performances. Guide dog sitter available. 2 wheelchair spaces in restricted view
sides of Dress Circle. Adapted toilet near
seats, large but with inconveniently placed toilet roll holder warn the box
office. Call 020 7565 6485 to reach the box office direct and make a booking.
See www.ambassadortickets.com or 0844
8717 677;
Artsline 020 7388 2227 email artsline@dircon.co.uk
for further info. 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, at Stalls and Upper Circle level. Reader Marty notes,
"There's a balcony in the upper circle bar with limited room, so good to head
there first during the interval for some fresh air."
Five toilets in all. Stalls 1 gents, 1 cubicle; Dress Circle 1 ladies 4
cubicles, 1 unisex disabled; Upper Circle 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 3
cubicles.
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