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STALLS
The stalls is divided into front and rear sections by an
aisle in front of row I. The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row R,
and does not affect the view of the stage from any seat.
The front section of the theatre, rows A to H is due to undergo some
re-design for "Gone With the Wind" (April 2008). The monkey will post
details when available. Currently it is shown to be surrounding half the
stage.
The rear section of the stalls is also divided into a central and two
side sections, and is almost unchanged since "Cats" closed and the
theatre reverted back to a standard format. New seating has narrowed the
aisles slightly, and some rows have been raised a little as well,
improving sightlines further.
THE LAYOUT IS EXPECTED TO BE UNCHANGED FOR "GONE WITH THE WIND"
(APRIL 2008) BUT ADVISE HERE IS SUBJECT TO REVISION WHEN SIGHTLINES AND
STAGING ARE CONFIRMED.
A reader says, for "Gone With the Wind,":
"Stalls seat E34. Seats were good, although a side view of the thrust
stage."
Reader Bas adds,
"We sat in seat F 30 and 31. There were at the side of the stage on the
second row and very close to the action. Being at the side didn't really
hinder the view and the pitch was fine. You had to look up slightly but
nothing too extreme. For the money they were good seats if you like
being in the thick of it!"
The centre rear block of stalls offers a good rake. Rows J 19 to 34, K
20 to 36, L 22 to 39 and M 23 to 46 are as good as centre front block
rows E to H. There are stairwells at either end of these rows but the
view is fine.
A reader notes:
"Warning.....seats in row I are almost on the same level as seats in row
H so be prepared for a blocked view!!"
A warning worth heeding, feels the monkey, who was depressed at the
results of an experiment carried out to test this report.
Row M seats 23, 24, 45 and 46 have only gangways in front - no seats -
and, being elevated, offer a combination of prime views and comfort.
Row N seats 11 to 15 and 41 to 45 are behind stairwell walls with a bar
on the top. Thanks to generous legroom, the view is unaffected - the
distance cancels out any issue - except for those under five foot tall,
who will find the bar in front mildly annoying.
Rows N to P offer a good view at a fair price. Perhaps take the first
and last few seats in O and P second if you are shorter and are worried
by a stairwell in front, but for everyone else these rows are a must,
feels the monkey. Rows R and S feel a little further back, but still
nicely close to the thrust stage. As ever in this theatre, rows T and U,
at second price may feel a fair way from the stage due to the rake. The very ends of these two rows may be disturbed by folk clomping
up the aisle, but no good reason to miss them. The central view has been
noted as highly desirable by several readers who have commented.
The rear section side blocks of the stalls wrap around the sides of the
theatre, curving inwards to give a good intimacy with the stage. These
rows are being extended for "Gone With the Wind" - the monkey will post
information when available. The
only problem it anticipates is that the first and last few seats - the monkey estimates
around six or so in each row can't usually see into the space behind the
proscenium arch. Being further back is the way to
go here and the seats nearest the centre aisle are the first to aim for
the monkey feels. Be aware that most centre block seats are priced the
same, though, and try for them first.
A reader at "Gone With the Wind" reports,
"We sat in seats N17 and N16 - excellent view of the stage. I would
say that Row N 17 to 30 and O 17 to 30 provide the best overall view.
The stage is is a rounded apron; a small scale version of the
National's Oliver's stage and as a result the sight lines will be
good
for most seats. There is a balcony platform on the stage and this
expands into the dress circle area. Actors do speak from these side
balconies but they merely describe the story and you miss no action
if
you were sitting in seats below these side balconies."
A few rows in front, another says,
"I sat in the stalls K25 and had a marvellous view of the stage. Some of
the action took place in the walkway behind row I of the stalls with
actors on several occasions crossing or dancing through, so anyone
sitting in front would have had to twist round or miss it, especially
the tearful reunion between Ashleigh and his wife.
Row K was perfect with knees level with the head of the person in front,
there was an unimpeded view of the stage with the theatre goer's eyeline
level with that of the actors."
Another, in the cheaper seats says,
"Row J, some of the cheapest seats - was so near the action that I could
really get involved with the story. I doubt that there is a duff seat
here."
Wheelchair users have a choice. Either row S seats 1 and 2 can be
removed, for a chair to be parked, or else a normal office style chair
with arms can be placed there for wheelchair users to transfer into.
This is a pretty good viewing position as wheelchair spaces go, though
it is a bit of a shame that the old row J position has been removed - it
was that bit closer to the front. See notes for
further information.
Legroom is good in most seats, slightly less in rows S to U. It is
excellent in rows H and I and row M seats 23, 24, 45 and 46.
DRESS CIRCLE
Nothing overhangs this circle. It is still a narrow shelf,
unchanged since "Cats" left, except that the side additions which
extended outwards are now gone.
The circle is split into a large central, and four side blocks, by
aisles.
THIS LAYOUT IS NEW FOR "GONE WITH THE WIND"
(APRIL 2008), SO ADVISE HERE IS SUBJECT TO REVISION WHEN SIGHTLINES AND
STAGING ARE CONFIRMED.
A high metal bar runs across the front of the centre block of the
circle, and beyond it is a short lip of concrete before the plunge to
the stalls. The view in row A is affected by the bars but the extra concrete ahead may re-assure the
vertigo sufferer seated here a little. Those in row B may not be too
keen on the bars in view either, but it is far less and the stage is
clear beyond them.
Reader Teresa says,
"I saw 'Gone with the Wind' from the middle of row A next to the aisle.
We had a perfect view of the stage and there was a lot of space for our
legs!"
The bars at the front of the circle increases to double height at the
ends of the circle aisles. Along with the metal posts at the ends of
rows B to D, they cut into the view significantly. In fact, the monkey
rates D 1 and 44 as the two worst seats in the place - enough metal in
view to keep an orthodontist happy for years.
The central block is a narrow ledge of five well-raked rows. Choose row
C 7 to 43 or D seats 5 to 40 first. Along with row C, though, also
consider central block rear stalls at the same price too. At lower
prices, think about row A if bars are not a problem for you. Row E does
not feel too remote from the action if the bars are a problem.
A reader says of row D,
"D25.
Froze for the entire 3 hours 40 minutes running time as I sat under
an air conditioning vent."
In the next side blocks, seating has been extended out along the side
walls. The monkey hopes for an adequate view - usual safety rail issues
in front of A, though. Not a bad choice if the central block is full. A
further block of seating extends further along the edges of the theatre.
The monkey will post opinions on this when available after the show has
opened.
The monkey compared the feel of this circle with that of the Olivier
auditorium at the National Theatre. If you are happy seated in rows D or
E of that theatre, then D and E here are comparable, it feels.
Just adequate legroom in all seats, much more in row A if the bars
aren't an issue with you.
Notes
1072 seats, plus wheelchair places.
Air-conditioned auditorium.
Infrared headsets available. Occasional signed performances. Guide dog sitter
available. Adapted unisex toilet - sadly they could not find space to fit two,
gender segregated ones. The existing one is well equipped, though.
Access to auditorium for chair users is difficult. Users enter via the stage
door, where a portable ramp is placed over two large shallow stairs to bring
your chair down to floor level.
At this point, any chair wider than around 50cm must be surrendered; and the
occupant transferred into a small chair provided by the theatre. This is to
allow users to get into the tiny elevator up to the fourth floor. A 90 degree
turn must also be negotiated in the one - metre square elevator in order to exit
at the correct level.
On arrival at the fourth floor, access to the theatre is gained by a 50 metre
walk / push along a narrow corridor (superb view from the windows!). This
corridor also houses the adapted toilet. Entering via door 4 into the theatre is
flat and wheelchair users have a choice. Either row S seats 1 and 2 can be
removed, for a chair to be parked, or else a normal office style chair with arms
can be placed there for wheelchair users to transfer into. Wheelchair users who
can make the move are also welcome to transfer into normal theatre seats in that
area of the stalls too. The view from all available seats in that area is pretty
good, making the choice a broad one.
Specific information from
www.seetickets.com
or 0870 895 5505 or e-mail customer.relations@rutheatres.com.
No food except confectionery and Ice cream.
Two bars at stalls level.
8 toilets in all; Ground floor foyer 1 gents 2 cubicles, 1 ladies 6 cubicles;
Stalls 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 4 cubicles, 1 unisex disabled. Dress Circle 2 gents 1 cubicle
each, 2 ladies 3 cubicles each.
One reader comments of the 'Ladies' facilities in December 2007,
"The facilities on our level were along a narrow corridor with the Gents
at the far end; this meant that all the men had to push past and through
the queuing ladies - and Boy! was there a queue. Packed theatre, only 3
cubicles, one of which was out of order. By the time we emerged the
queue stretched down the stairs and they had to extend the interval to
accommodate everyone.
At another performance things were a little better, mainly because the
theatre wasn't full but this time we were on the opposite side and one
of the cubicles had a broken lock so a lot of whistling and shouting was
going on in there. Lavatories none too clean, either, the ones on Kings
Cross station on our way home were much better."
The monkey thanks Berni, Terry and all in the box office for their
help in providing this information. Much appreciated.
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