An Independent Inside Guide to London Theatre and Concert Venues

Offers May be available - Click Here

Seating Plan Diagram

In the front stalls the first and last three seats in rows C to L should be avoided as the viewing angle is not acceptable value from a top price seat. Pillars at the ends of row G affect the view of the seats in rows H to L directly behind.

Rows BB back to B provide a fair view, though you should be willing to put up with neck ache and sometimes a limited view of the rear of the stage. Totally your call, thinks the monkey. 

Reader John Lafferty reports,
"My view was unobstructed and there was plenty of leg room for seats BB1 and BB2 in the stalls."

One reader felt seat E8 was excellent.

F 22 and 23 are designated restricted view. If sold at reduced price they are very much worth consideration, when sold (as usually happens) at top price, avoid. E21 and H 1 and 23 fall into the same category.

Pillars occur in the centre of the stalls next to seats N6 and 16, and R 7 and 16. This makes seat 7 in rows O, P, Q, T, U, V, W and X, seat 18 in rows O, P, Q, T, U, V and X  restricted view...worth missing. If you must take a restricted view seat, consider rows U to X seat 6, or row O seats 1, 23 and 24 - less view, but slightly improved on the central block pillars.

Row N back sees the stalls divided into three blocks - centre and sides. In the central block the view is acceptable except in seats behind pillars. For "Derren Brown" (May 2008), value is questionable at top price in rows U and V - they are normally much cheaper. In rows W and X, it is your choice whether you prefer the stalls or Upper Circle at the same prices. The monkey goes for the rear stalls for comfort, Upper Circle slightly for view compared to row W, perhaps.

Side block seats Row N 3 to 5, 17 and 18, rows O to S 4 to 6, T to X 3 to 5 are also are acceptable, offering reasonable value for money (except where restricted view, when you should be pickier), though central stalls are be preferable for a bit more money past row T. Side block seats do not have aisles at the far ends - claustrophobics may prefer to sit elsewhere.

Of N19, a reader says when obtained at a discount,
"Just the top corner of the view is cut off by the balcony. This is often irrelevant for a play, and - with no row in front - the extra leg room more than made up for this. So though this is a red seat on the monkey chart, I think I had my money's worth with a heavily reduced ticket."

Legroom is fair throughout the stalls, best in row N seats 1 to 5 and 17 to 21, which have an aisle in front of them.

Stalls Boxes
Boxes A is adjacent to the stage. The view is side on but acceptable at a low price. Seats 2 people.

DRESS CIRCLE 
The Upper Circle overhangs this circle completely but is high enough not to affect the view.

A metal bar runs across the front of this circle. This is slightly annoying in row A for the shortest, but otherwise does not affect the view from any seat.

Apart from the first and last three seats in each row the view from all seats in rows B to E is unobstructed and fair value. Choose row B then C, then A or E depending if closeness to the action or no bar in front is your higher priority.

The first and last two seats in rows B and C are at lower price, designated restricted view. In all cases a view with boxes intruding to make seeing the sides of the stage awkward is the cause. Think about  boxes over these (and other end of row seats in the Dress Circle) for the same money or less.

Wheelchair users (if they can get down a step from a fire exit) can park at the end of Dress Circle row E. Theatremonkey rates these seats poor. See notes.

Legroom is uncomfortable in all seats, worst in row A centre. If taller than five foot six, try the stalls.

Dress Circle Boxes
Boxes B and C are at Dress Circle level next to D and E, halfway between the main seating block and the stage. A fair view is offered at a lower price - expensive at top price, though. Boxes seat 2 people. Not expected to be sold for "Derren Brown" (May 2008).

UPPER CIRCLE
A disused balcony overhangs this circle but does not obstruct the view from any seat.

A metal bar runs across the front of the centre aisle. This particularly affects the view from seats A 10, 11, B 11 and 12, C 13 and 14, D 12 and 13 and E 11 and 12, annoyingly, as it becomes double height at the aisle.

The first and last few seats in rows A to E are designated restricted view. In all cases a view with boxes intruding to make seeing the sides of the stage awkward is the cause. These seats are poor value at £20 or more in the monkey opinion.

Be aware that C 23 and 24 and D 3, 4, 21 and 22 are full price but restricted view and normally cheaper because of it... missable, feels the monkey.

For the rest, if you decide on the Upper Circle rather than same price stalls, either take row C first at third price, then D then B (if the bar is to be avoided - if it isn't a problem, then take B before D) OR even consider E.

Row A has been reduced in price to allow for the bar in front - decide if legroom is important before buying a seat here. The circle is fairly high up, but the view is clear enough to make the unrestricted view seats average value for money.

Legroom is uncomfortable in all seats, worst in row A. Centre aisle seats offer a bit more, if you are prepared to compromise on the view.

Upper Circle Boxes
J and H are best of these, then G and F. The view is adequate from all boxes, and pricing about acceptable to slightly high. Boxes seat 2 people. Not expected to be sold for "Derren Brown" (May 2008).

Notes
Total 650 seats.

Not air-conditioned, so avoid the rear stalls and circles on hot days as heat gets trapped here.

Infrared system requiring headsets for deaf patrons. Best from row D back in the stalls. Those deaf and partially sighted get an extra, fun, choice to make here. Occasional signed performances. Occasional audio described performances for the blind, guide dog sitter available. Wheelchair users (if they can get down a step from a fire exit) can park at the end of Dress Circle row E. Adapted toilet is now available in the form of being able to use the women's toilet if able to leave chair. Specific information from  www.seetickets.com or 0870 895 5505 or e-mail customer.relations@seetickets.com. 

No food except Ice cream and confectionery.

Three bars, Foyer, Stalls and Upper Circle.

Six toilets in all; Foyer 1 gents 4 cubicles, 1 ladies 4 cubicles; Stalls 2 ladies 3 cubicles, 4 cubicles respectively; Upper Circle 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 4 cubicles.

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

The escalator from the platforms deposits passengers into a circular space with a number of staircases leading to the surface. Beside each staircase is a vast white panel listing the places accessible from that exit. So look for the one showing the Garrick theatre. It is marked "Charing Cross Road South" and is to the left when you leave the ticket gates. Go up the staircase. At the top, in front of you will be Charing Cross Road. On the opposite corner, notice the Hippodrome Nightclub and a wide pedestrianised street. Turn to your left. Wyndham's theatre is there. Walk past it and follow the curve of the road along to the Garrick Theatre.

If at the top of the underground stairs you see a narrow street with only a row of small shops and offices in front of you, this is Cranbourn Street. Turn to your right and change to the other side of the road. Walk to the end of the street. If you see the Hippodrome Nightclub on the opposite corner across a busy road, good. Do not cross the road to it! Turn to your left. The underground exit you should have used is on your left. Walk past it and you are in front of the theatre.

From the car park, turn up the road on the left to bring you on to Trafalgar Square. Face Nelson's Column and cross the road towards it. In front of you is the National Gallery. You require the road to the right side of it - Charing Cross Road. Do not enter the Trafalgar Square area itself, but follow the pavement round towards the right corner of the National Gallery. Continue along so that you pass the National Gallery on your right and so that you enter Charing Cross Road. Cross Charing Cross Road where you can, the Garrick Theatre is visible to you on the other side of the road, to your right.

Next is Newport Street. Cross that too and head on, crossing Cranbourne Street towards Leicester Square Underground Station. Wyndhams Theatre is just beyond that on your left. Walk past it and follow the road as it curves round - The Garrick Theatre is just beyond the curve, to the left.

The "Theatreland Parking Scheme" is in use in both car parks. 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.