STALLS
The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row H, it does not
affect the view from the stalls in any way.The stalls are divided into two unequal blocks by an aisle. The main block is
in front of the stage. Choose any seat except the first three in each row. Thick
pillars, not shown on the house seating plan, are on the ends of rows D and K,
in front of seat number 1. The effect on the view is annoying rather than truly
restricted from these seats, but why suffer in expensive seats. Also annoying is
the fact that new 2011 seating is more comfortable... but not off-set
around seats in front. Seats close to
the centre aisle are best for the current production 'The Woman In Black'.
Second price seats in this block offer good value.
Row D back in the main block are best, compensating for the high stage.
Row D seats 11 to 14 and E 12 to 15 (plus D 9 and 10 and E 10 and 11
at Friday and Saturday performances) are "premium" seats - a
little more expensive. Your choice, feels the monkey, if you really want
to pay more for the same view as seats behind.
A reader says of them, before they became premium,
"Although we had considerably more leg room than in most theatres (we
were in row D seats 13 and 14 on the aisle), if I must make a criticism
it is that you do have to look up all the time - so don't sit so close
if you have neck problems."
Reader KJ Hailes notes:
"Stalls Row B seats 11/12. Nice seats and view. Plenty of leg room."
A row behind, reader Sam Reid observes,
"C3 and C4: were fine with sufficient leg room. Three rows from the
front and to the side; only problem was that you are looking up so, if
you suffer from neck problems as I do, probably best to sit a bit
further back."
In the same row, Another reader says,
"C17, great seat!"
Three rows further back, the feeling is,
"F12 and 13: These seats gave an almost central view of the stage and
were close enough to experience some the ‘action’. At 5ft 8 I found the
seats gave me adequate legroom but anyone taller might have a problem
and although the rake of the seating is hardly noticeable, the stage is
high enough for even the shortest of people to see over heads in front
of them."
Theatremonkey regular James reports,
"G12 to G14. Legroom is good here and the view is great but I was
particularly lucky not to have anyone sitting in front as the rake is
not that steep."
Another reader notes,
"I was sat in the Stalls, row G (seat 10) in fact, to watch this play and the
view of the stage was very good. Also, there was plenty of leg room in the seats
so having to endure aching legs whilst watching the play."
in the same seats, another reader says,
"G10 and G11 offered a good view of the stage."
and similarly from another reader,
"Sat in G9 to G11 for my Dad's 50th Birthday. Neither of us were
disappointed with these seats at £39.00, a decent price. I had a very
tall person sat in front of me (and I am 5ft 7) - this worried me at
first. However, the stage is quite high up from the seating level, and
all I missed was the actors' feet, And to be honest, their shoes are
quite common anyway!"
Another reader adds,
"J7 and 8: gave an excellent view of the stage and there's plenty of
legroom so comfort isn't a problem."
Reader Benjamin comments,
"At some points though you are
glad to be away from the action - theatre goers with a heart condition
should not sit in the aisle seats in the stalls!"
The last few seats in each row are positioned to the left of the stage in a
block that offers a very strange viewing angle. Sitting here makes this monkey
feel he is in a different theatre altogether as the actors have to work double
hard to include us in the action. Take the centre aisle seat if you like -
again, it enhances watching the current production, but avoid the rest of this
block, and if you can't then take the farthest back seat you can to compensate
for the strange angle.
Legroom is acceptable throughout the stalls - best in part of row B where
there are no seats in front.
DRESS CIRCLE
The Upper Circle overhangs the stalls at row E, it does not affect the view
from any seat.
Thick metal bars across the front of the circle affect the view from rows A
and B noticeably, and are mildly off-putting from other seats.
Seats are split into two unequal blocks as in the stalls. Here though the
aisle cuts the first five numbered seats in the row off from the rest.
The larger block offers an adequate view from rows C to F, if the bars can be
tolerated. Avoiding the last two seats in all rows is advisable for a
comfortable viewing angle. Choose the stalls first. F17 is at the disposal of
wheelchair users who can transfer. The view is poor but the only option on
offer, sadly. See notes.
In row A, reader Paul notes,
"A7: Bought for £22.50 via an online ticket offer in November 2011. The
view from these seats is incredible – you are almost eyeballing the
actors!! The bar that the monkey notes in his review really didn’t
affect my view at all. Monkey is correct, however, about the legroom
which is truly awful. Sat down, wedged my size 11’s between the seat and
the wall and 5”11 frame into my chair and didn’t move! However, the
seats have been recently refurbished so my bum and back were OK! BUT I
would most definitely sit here to see it again – at half-price, of
course ;-)"
Reader Benjamin comments,
"We were in seats B14 / B15 in the dress circle and found the view to be very
good although not excellent as you would expect. The metal bars are in
actual fact very low and it is only in a couple of points that they affect
the view as the action nears the audience. At some points though you are
glad to be away from the action - theatre goers with a heart condition
should not sit in the aisle seats in the stalls!"
Further back, a reader says,
"D12 and 13: although the view was brilliant, there is no space to speak
of. At all. The poor woman in front of me was subject to my foot in her
lower back on several occasions, just as I was from the man behind me.
After a while, you get kind of used to it, but nothing can prepare you
for the numb bum!! I would not recommend the dress circle for anyone
above 5'10 as my boyfriend had some real problems cramping himself in."
Another reader feels,
"We had bought half price tickets from Leicester Square and got row F11
and F12 of the Dress Circle. I have never felt so much like a sardine in
a theatre! At 6', things can be difficult but this was outrageous,
especially considering these are classed as top price seats. I also had
to contend with someone's head blocking the middle of the stage and a
Pringle-munching heathen next to me, but the worst thing by far was the
legroom. If the theatre really thinks that these seats are comparable to
being in the stalls, then it is seriously deluded. You also miss out a
bit on the scares - for example, I am still unsure as to why aisle seats
in the stalls are so nerve-wracking. Therefore, I think some of the
Dress Circle should be marked in red as it really is substandard."
A row behind, a reader notes,
"G6 does have a seat in front of it and is just as cramped and
uncomfortable as all the others. Also, as the seat was next to the
entrance/exit curtain was additionally entertained throughout by the
chatter of staff downstairs in the bar."
The monkey also notes that G1 is crammed into the corner of the venue
by a wall. Not great.
In the side blocks only B1 is discounted - the monkey
would take row L stalls over these at the same price for comfort and view.
Legroom is barely tolerable in all seats, worst in row A.
Dress Circle Boxes
Both offer a clear but side-on viewing angle to the stage and are fair value.
One reader notes the speakers housed here make them noisy!
A reader feels,
"though views to the sides were limited we had a much better view, much closer
to the stage, and plenty of room to stretch out."
Cheaper too, the monkey notes with interest.
Legroom is good in all seats
UPPER CIRCLE
This circle is high up and feels behind as well as above the Dress Circle.
Ornate ironwork runs across the front of this circle affecting the view in
rows A and B particularly. There are also tall rails at the end of each row.
These don't affect views particularly from any seat.
Upper Circle seats are split into two blocks the same as the Dress Circle. Of
the first six seats, avoid numbers 1 to 3. Of the other block avoid the last two seats in the row. If you must pay third price, take row D first, then C, then B, then row A if you have to.
Alternatively, consider a cheaper box if only for comfort. With only a few single end
seats in rows A to D, plus the whole of row G cheaper than other upper circle
seats, skip E and F at third
price and take G for just about fair value at fourth if boxes don't tempt.
Be aware that rows F and G feel far from the stage.
Legroom is poor, especially in row A. Reader Kathy
Sutter agrees,
"the seats are rather small with no leg room but otherwise OK."
Another reader also feels that,
"In row A, the safety bar was a real hindrance to a good view".
Yet another reader comments,
"Just a quick note to say you are dead right about Upper Circle Row A. We sat
in A13 and A14, and I had to watch the first half through the gap in the
safety rail. Legroom was ok for me, but I'm 5 foot; it was cramped for my
taller friend.
We moved to the Dress Circle box at the interval, and though views to the
sides were limited we had a much better view, much closer to the stage, and
plenty of room to stretch out."
and one more reader adds,
"We were given C 7 and 8. Good view as the theatre is not that high, though
there was a couple of sequences that were at the very very front of the stage
which we could not see. Legroom was a bit cramped and I am not even that tall."
Upper Circle Boxes
Both offer a clear but side-on viewing angle to the stage and are good
value if you prefer a little more legroom than the circle provides for the same
money, and are willing to compromise on view a little. The monkey is. Also,
being cheaper, they seem worthwhile at bottom price in the
monkey view, for comfort alone - even with a side view.
Legroom is good in all seats.
Notes
Total 440 seats (and who knows what on the sofas!)
Air-conditioned auditorium.
No disabled facilities except guide dog sitter, touch tours of set and
occasional signed performances. A member of staff knows sign language but is not
always on duty. Wheelchairs are not allowed in and users can transfer to Dress
Circle seat F17 if they can get up five stairs from a fire exit. Fuller details at www.ambassadortickets.com
or 0844 8717 677,
Artsline 020 7388 2227, email artsline@dircon.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 Upper Circle.
5 toilets in all; Stalls 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles; Dress Circle
1 gents 3 cubicles, 1 ladies 2 cubicles; Upper Circle 1 ladies 1 cubicle.
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