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Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

OLD VIC THEATRE


NOISES OFF
(comedy)
Ends 10th March 2012.
Captioned performance: Tuesday 7th February 2012 at 7.30pm.

Three sequences front and backstage as a hapless cast stage a new play. Don't forget your sardines.

A seasonal revival of this Michael Frayn farce.


 

Theatremonkey Opinion:
It seems like only yesterday that a young monkey tried explaining to a bemused American at the Savoy Theatre that the scene list in the programme wasn't a joke. The American still took umbrage, and moved seat (but not before further verbally abusing the usherette the monkey was trying to defend).

It then seems an even shorter while ago that the comedy ran at the National and then moved to the Piccadilly Theatre. And now here it is again. New director, new cast... same bulletproof laughter model. An inspired reading of one line by Karl Johnson might be a highlight, but the monkey isn't going to single out anybody in what is simply a cure for all winter blues. It works, it's still funny, and it still has sardines in it. Go see.

 

Your Reviews: Add your own by clicking here.
Important: Some reviews below can contain "spoilers" - please don't read if this bothers you!

(2 reviews)

Sat in D9 in the Dress Circle and at £15 it was a real bargain. About 2% of the right hand side of the stage was blocked but very little of the action takes place there so it was not a problem.

Opening night so there was a real buzz around the place. Really good piece of theatre delivered by an excellent ensemble company who made me feel exhausted just watching all their running around. The timing was so spot on that if you blinked you missed a gag.

Would highly recommend this for a bit of festive farce fun.

Taljaard
__________________________

We went to see this on 12th January 2012. Seats in the middle of stalls row Q,14 to 16, provided a pretty good view with the offsetting, and we were far enough back to take in the whole panorama without feeling too remote. For this production, where the cast run up and down and the action is rarely central but occupies the whole width and height of the stage, I wouldn't have wanted to be too close.

The cast was excellent, the timing impeccable, the sets inventive, but ... and I suppose I'm stating the blatantly obvious here ... you would have to be real fan of the whole slapstick, sticking doors, trousers falling down, world of farce to find it really funny. Many of the audience clearly thought it hilarious, mainly the men it seemed or perhaps they just laugh louder, but while we (1 man and 2 women) enjoyed the cleverness of the performance, and the second Act was quite amusing, we didn't find it as funny as we'd hoped. Since the whole premise is a bit of a thespian in-joke, perhaps you have to have to be an aficionado of am-dram or touring rep to wholly respond to the stereotypical characters and situations.

Having said that, in Act 1 SPOILER ALERT the placing of the Producer in the real audience was ingenious, and engaged us by seemingly involving us in the action. SPOILER ENDS. This sensation of being involved was extended in Act 2, when the whole opening set was cleverly rotated to allow the audience to see 'back-stage'. By now the audience knew what was supposed to be taking place 'on-stage', and because we were 'with' the cast 'back-stage', we somehow felt as though it we were both observing and collaborating with the ever increasing chaos.

So, while Act 1 set the scene and was rather slow, Act 2 was fast and furious and, in the style of silent comedy films, provided the best laughs. When it began, Act 3 at first seemed rather redundant, but once it got going it did tie up all the loose ends and provided quite a few amusing moments. We really enjoyed the evening and the acting and production was faultless, we just didn't find it terrifically funny. Not being a fan of farce, I feel a little guilty to be criticising it as it was excellent of its genre, but if you're not a real fan of people falling downstairs, handles falling off doors, and double entendre, you may not find the evening as uproariously hilarious as you would wish.

Perhaps you  may just wonder why on earth we went if we don't much like farce! The truth is personal - we weren't going to, but then many of the theatre critics reviews were very positive, so we felt that we'd like to go and see for ourselves...




 


Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here


Performance Schedule:
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.


Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm


Runs 2 hours 30 minutes approximately.
 
Ticket Prices:

Offers May be available - Click Here

View this information in diagram form


Stalls
Rows B to V: £49.50 except
"Premium Seats" rows H, J and K 14 to 23; L and M 15 to 24: £75
Restricted view row P 4, 5; T 6, 32: £39.50
Restricted view row Q3, Q34, V 12, 27: £20
Restricted view row U 5, 32: £15
Rows W and X: £39.50 except
Restricted view row W 12 and X 11, 12, 27, 28: £15

A limited number of tickets in the front row are available to those under 25 at £12 per ticket, bookable in advance, but tickets are held for collection at the theatre on the day of performance so that proof of age can be checked. Proof of age includes driving licence or passport. Student Cards are NOT accepted.


Dress Circle
Rows A to D: £49.50
Restricted view row A 28, C 18, 19, 27 and D 17, 29 to 32: £39.50
Restricted view row A 7, 29; B 7, 8, 9, 28, 29, 30: £20
Restricted view row C 5 to 7, 29 to 32; D 25: £27.50
Restricted view row C 11, 26; D 9, 10, 18, 26: £15
Row E: £39.50 except
Restricted view row E 34: £20
Restricted view row E 10, 11, 18, 19, 27, 28: £15

Dress Circle Slips (all restricted view)
Row X 15 to 22, Y 14 to 23 and Z 16 to 21: £39.50

All other slip seats are available to those under 25 at £12 per ticket, bookable in advance, but tickets are held for collection at the theatre on the day of performance so that proof of age can be checked. Proof of age includes driving licence or passport. Student Cards are NOT accepted. Unsold slips are sold at £20 to those over 25 when available.



Upper Circle
Rows A to E: £27.50 except:
Student seats A 3 to 11 and 31 to 33 and B 2, 3, 34, 35, 36 - see below.

Upper Circle rows F and G: £20

Upper Circle Slip benches: £10
Upper Circle Standing: £7.50 (may not be bookable in advance and only available if all seats are sold out).

Row A 3 to 11 and 31 to 33 and B 2, 3 and 34 to 36 are available to those under 25 at £12 per ticket, bookable in advance, but tickets are held for collection at the theatre on the day of performance so that proof of age can be checked. Proof of age includes driving licence or passport. Student Cards are NOT accepted. Unsold tickets are £20 to the general public.

Boxes (restricted view) £39.50 per seat. These are available to personal callers at the theatre, as the view takes some explaining... to say the least. Telephone enquiries to the main phoneroom about these seats are referred to the theatre for this reason.



Some details may change. The monkey will update as required.

 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Buying Tickets Online:

Other Box Office Information

Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.
Theatre Box Office:
Ambassador Theatre Group, the theatre group's own website provide the service for this theatre.
This site allows you to choose your seats from those available.

Booking fees per transaction for online bookings:
No booking fee is charged.

Other Online Choices (with S.T.A.R. genuine ticket agencies):

Ticketmaster.co.uk provide an alternative with the same fee as the box office by telephone - £2.50 per booking NOT per ticket applies to each transaction - the same as by telephone. This system allows you to choose your own seats from the selection the company has available.

When the theatre does not have tickets available, it is worth trying the Theatremonkey Ticketshop agency, which offers £49.50 seats with a £4.95 booking fee - moderate by agency standards, high by box office ones, but worth trying as they often have some choice available! Note that this system will confirm exact seat numbers prior to purchase.

Another alternative is www.seetickets.com / telephone 0870 830 0200 with offers £49.50 seats with a £4.95 per ticket booking fee (£2.75 on £27.50 seats); plus a £2 per booking (not per ticket) postal charge. (FREE call if using a BT.com Calling Plan at your chosen times).

Encore Tickets (telephone 0207 400 1253 / 0044 207 400 1253 if calling from outside the United Kingdom) offer £49.50 seats with a £13.50 booking fee per ticket (£7.50 on £27.50 seats) - plus optional UK postage of £1.50 per booking, not per ticket, available if time allows. The "Flexiticket" Exchange Service, allowing FREE transfer / cancellation (credit note up to 12 months) of your booking up to 3 days before the performance is also available for £2.50 per ticket. Discounts and "Meal and Show" packages may also be available. Quality and Value hotel / theatre ticket packages are also available.

Lastminute.com offer £49.50 seats with a £3.96 booking fee per ticket (£6.80 on £85, £2.20 on £27.50 seats). NOTE: Seat numbers are NOT available in advance from this company. All seats booked in the same price group will, of course, be together or at the very least be in front or behind each other in the theatre. In the very unlikely event of this not being possible this company will call you and give you the option of cancelling your booking. However if booking in two or more price bands, you will not be sat together. Please DO NOT purchase if this is unacceptable to you, as all tickets are sold subject to this condition. Discounts and "Meal and Show" packages may also be available. Quality and Value hotel / theatre ticket packages are also available.

Londontheatredirect.com offer £49.50 seats with a £10 booking fee per ticket. Discounts and Meal and Show Packages may also be available.


ALSO SEE Tickettree.com for great value "hotel and theatre ticket" packages.

Other Independent S.T.A.R. ticket agencies may also offer an alternative choice of seats.


 

Box Office Information:
Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.
Theatre Box Office:
Telephone: 0844 871 7628
Operated by the Ambassador Theatre group's own phoneroom from 9am until 10pm (Sundays 10am until 8pm). Outside these hours the Ticketmaster agency answer calls on their behalf.

Booking fees per transaction for telephone bookings:
By telephone: £2.50 per transaction (not per ticket) fee is made - towards the sardines, thinks the monkey. Note that online, no booking fee is charged.

For personal callers or by post: Waterloo Road, London. SE1 8NB
No booking fee for personal callers.

Special Access Needs Customers:
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats on 0871 297 5477 and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them. The wheelchair users line connects directly to the theatre chain central phoneroom in London during working hours. See Notes.

www.oldvictheatre.com is the official theatre website. A very good auditorium photograph is available here. E-mail the theatre at: info@oldvictheatre.com 

 

 
 
Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Theatre Seat Opinions:
Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference.

 

Seating Plan Diagram

Stalls Dress Circle Upper Circle Notes
STALLS 
The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row T. The supporting pillars interfere with the view in rows V back, as well as some seats at the sides of the theatre.

For "Noises Off" (December 2011) The front row is A. This is "Green" for value if under 26 and able to buy for £12. At top price, perhaps consider a few rows back.

From row A, when in use, one reader says,
"These seats are an amazing bargain, with absolutely no sightline problems. In fact they offer a significantly better view than any of the boxes, slips, side circles or even the rear stalls."

Readers note that stalls rows D to H slope down from the stage (see notes below) and may not be suitable for shorter people. Rows J back to M arguably have the best views in the front stalls, considering the rake and height of the stage. The monkey normally likes central row H back to K, though, for viewing comfort. It could even go further back too, with A in use, to rows J to N to avoid the dip...

"Noises Off" (December 2011) has most central seats from row J to M at "premium" prices. Your call, says the monkey, who would sit in seats around them - less money, same view.

In row G21 in November 2009, a reader notes,
"Fine seat, good view, but could be problematic if someone tall sits in front of you. I never knew that the Old Vic had such a deep stage - it almost stretches as far as Elephant and Castle."

Regular reader Clive adds, for "Design For Living" (September 2010),
"G23 and 24: Perfect view of the whole stage and very good legroom."
On a visit to "A Flea in Her Ear" (December 2010) he adds,
G26 to 28: Comfortable seating with good legroom and a good view of all the stage."


Monkey regular seat assessment contributor James says, for "All about My Mother" (September 2007)
"Sat in Stalls J19 and J20.  I felt like I had the best seats in the house - close enough to see all the actors'
expressions.  A good rake and stage height also meant that I didn't have to look up at all.  Legroom was also more than adequate compared to some other theatres."

For another production, he adds,
"Sat in Stalls J19 and 20 for “Six Degrees of Separation” (January 2010). Good view from here, but without the first few rows in use, I would have preferred to sit a couple of rows further back."

Another reader agrees at "Empire State of Mind" 2011, saying,
"J17 to 21. Perfect view of the whole stage and good legroom."
 

On a later visit (March 2008) he reports,
"Sat one row back for "Speed The Plow," K21 and K22 - excellent view again."

In row L for "Six Degrees of Separation," a reader notes,
"L 4, 5, 6 and 7: seats should be red, possibly also equivalent seats at the other end of the row.  The sound in these seats is variable: if the actors turn to the centre or to the other side of the stage they become inaudible."

Not something the monkey has noticed for other productions, but it strongly advises readers to bear it in mind.

A row behind, for "The Real Thing" (March 2010), theatremonkey regular seat commentating reader James notices no such sound problems,
"M8 and 9: As always, a good rake and staggered seating ensures an excellent view, even if a little bit to the side."

For "A Flea In Her Ear" (December 2010) a reader a row behind that opines,
"N30: Had a perfect view of the stage."

Another reader, in the same row for "Cause Celebre" (March 2011) adds,
"N26 and 27: These were very good seats. I'd like to have been a couple of rows closer ideally, but then you're at more of a mercy if taller folk are in front of you; so row N limits the damage from such - but it's marginal."

At "Noises Off" (December 2011) a reader says,
"Eow Q14 to 16: Provided a pretty good view with the offsetting, and we were far enough back to take in the whole panorama without feeling too remote. For this production, where the cast run up and down and the action is rarely central but occupies the whole width and height of the stage, I wouldn't have wanted to be too close."

At another production a reader comments that,
"Sitting in Q row, it looked as if (when used) Rows A, B and C were slightly raised, then dipped down from D to about H, then rose again. If you have someone in front of you either very tall, or trying to avoid someone very tall in front, constant head bobbing will spoil your own view". 

To which reader James adds,
"Q6: Fine view as (for the first time in my theatre-going life) had someone really short in front of me. As the seat off-setting is optimised for the middle of the rows, heads in front could be a problem for all side seats here."

The monkey hadn't noticed this, but thought it might interest some readers.

Rows P to V offer only fair value, being the same price but further from the stage. Row N has an OK value wheelchair space. See notes.  

A reader notes,
"We sat is the stalls row R and had problems seeing. The theatre is poorly raked and £45 priced seats is a lot to pay to look at someone's head!"

In T, another says, for "Six Degrees of Separation" (January 2010),
"T16: Seemed quite distant, and at top price I would recommend going for something further forward. Was a steal at what I got it for though :P"

The monkey hadn't noticed this previously, and would welcome further comments, contact us.

For ‘As You Like It’ (July 2010) reader Clive comments,
"T 30 and 31: The legroom was good and the view also good, if slightly obstructed by a tall theatregoer in one of the seats directly in front. However as this was only one seat it was easy to adjust the view slightly to one side."

Another reader opines for "The Tempest" (July 2010),
"T26 and 27: The rake this far back is good, the view was fine and I did not find it at all distant. The legroom in this particular row is excellent."

Pushing back to rows U and V, current pricing sees most of these rows at top price. Monkey advice is to skip U 6 to 11 and 26 to 31, and V 6 to 10 and 28 to 31, but take these over Dress Circle row A for comfort if long legged...

The rest of the rear stalls, rows W and X are also distant from the stage - but the prices have been dropped to reflect this. Skip W 9 and 10 and X 7 to 9, and be aware that you still look through pillars, but otherwise value for money hovers at fair for second price. Comfort and personal choice in views - overhang and distance against long downwards look - should determines whether to sit here or pay the same for seats in row A of the Upper Circle instead, or E of the Dress Circle. 

In the rear stalls pillars affect the view in row P seats 4, 5, and 35, row Q seat 3 and 34, row T 5, 6, 32 and 33, row U 5 and 32, row V 11, 27, row W 11, 12 and 27, and row X 10, 11, 12, 27 and 28. In rows P to T, none of these seats usually offer any added value even at a low price, as annoyingly, producers have realised how good these seats are and re-priced them accordingly... T5 at top price is worth skipping in particular.

If in use - not for "Noises Off" (December 2011) - purists may wish to avoid V15 to 22 and W and X 15 and 22, with a sound desk nearby. Most won't notice, though.

The pillar to the right of seat P35 caused one person an issue as it clips the edge of the stage, obscuring action happening in the boxes...prior to that, there has never been a recorded complaint about the seat, apparently.

All these "restricted view" seats may be worth considering for the slightly superior legroom however, when compared to the same priced seats in the circles. Sit here for comfort, not views. The box office particularly likes row T restricted view seats for a little extra space!

For restricted view seats in row U back, the very low price make them about average value in the monkey opinion, again based more on comparable comfort with other seats at the same price elsewhere in the theatre.

Legroom is acceptable in rows D to U for all but the tallest, less but still acceptable in rows V to X.

 

Stalls Boxes
Two large boxes either side of the stage at stalls level. The view from all is angled with the rear quarter of the stage not visible. Value is poor at Top Price, not much better at second price, better if at bottom price. Choose the centre stalls first.

A reader provides the following warning:
"I was sold four tickets for "The Philadelphia Story" (summer 2005) in the Olivier Box. I was told it seated five so was pretty sure we wouldn't have anyone with us. We were sold seats 4 to 8. When we arrived we were surprised to find another couple with us in the box who had been shown to the only two seats with any decent view at all by the usher. I went to find her and it was all sorted out OK and they were moved to the front of the box with a very sideways view of the stage. 

We then found that only one of us got any sort of decent view (seat 8). One of us had to sit on a very uncomfortable ledge behind and the friend in seat 7 had a very restricted view. My poor boyfriend couldn't see a thing as there was a pole in front of him - he ended up sitting behind the other couple and we wished we had kept quiet and taken the (supposedly worse) seats ourselves. 

My point is that there is no way this should be sold as a box for six people. Four at the maximum. At a price of £40 per seat I would rather have had the discomfort of the rest of the theatre. I only took the box because it was a sell-out. When I rang the box office to complain I was told that they normally don't sell the boxes and only opened them up because it was a sell-out. However I wasn't told this on booking. Just warn your readers to steer clear of the box if they possibly can".

Normally, it is reported that boxes will not be sold. Should they be available it will only be to personal callers at the box office, where any drawbacks can be explained to them.

 

DRESS CIRCLE 
The Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle at row C. Supporting pillars affect the view from some seats in row C back and row E cannot see the top of the stage. Double height bars at the ends of the aisles obstruct the view of the first three seats in each row of the centre block.

Reader David Bone describes the situation thus:
"We sat in seat numbers C30 and C31 in the Dress Circle. As well as the pillars in the circle, at the front of the access aisles there are metal crash barriers, I guess put there as a safety measure to prevent the late comer who is running down the steps to get to his seat at the front of the circle from slipping and ending up in the stalls (!). Anyway, from our seats one of these crash barriers was right in front of us, breaking up our view of the stage. It wasn't a prohibitive problem but I wouldn't have accepted these seats at the price had I known."

The Dress Circle has a central block and three rows of seats extend along the sides of the theatre between the circle and stage.

In the central block row B seats 12 to 25 offer the best view, followed by row A 9 to 27, and C 13 to 17 and 21 to 24. It is worth choosing prime stalls over the Dress Circle however for comfort, view and proximity to the stage.

Reader Julian Taylor feels,
"Dress Circle, centre of row B, plenty of leg room and an excellent view of the stage."

Central block seats designated restricted view are row A 7, 8, 28, and 29; Row B 7 to 9 and 28 to 30; row C 5 to 8, 11, 19, 26 and 29 to 32; row D 4 to 8, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 25 to 32; row E 4 to 11, 18, 19 and  26 to 34. Of these, row B seats are least affected and are worth considering if the Dress Circle is a must and you need more than one seat on a budget. C 19 and 29 and E 4 and 26 are now more expensive, and the monkey gives them an "avoid" rating as a result. D9 has fallen in price, so is now average - at least, unlike the others, you don't have to pay AND lean in this one.

Some seats in row C back are affected by pillars. They can often be worth considering at a low price - provided the legroom is acceptable to you!

For "Noises Off" (December 2011) much of row E is at second price. Monkey advice is that row E is about fair choice in unrestricted seats between 10 to 28. It isn't a total "avoid," but it isn't great value. E 13 to 16 and 21 to 24 are pretty much the pick here. Consider rear stalls for comfort or front Upper Circle for closer view (with bar, though) at the same cost.

A reader says,
"Dress Circle: D17. At second price. It is rather interesting place. The Pillar is in the view, but not in front of you (It would be if you sit in D18). To avoid it, you have to lean to your left little bit. if the play is not "action based" and the set is extremely simple I thought I got a good deal. Not sure though if there was some action to your right how you would feel. Anyway, to sum it up. Annoying rather than fatal. So, don't dismiss it, and give it a good thought. The legroom is good/very good. I am 5' 10""

Further down the row, behind one of the pillars, regular reader Taljaard says at "Noises Off" (December 2011),
"D9: At £15 it was a real bargain. About 2% of the right hand side of the stage was blocked but very little of the action takes place there so it was not a problem."
 

The side blocks are called rows X, Y and Z and are designated restricted view due to a combination of pillars and a viewing angle that makes between a fifth and a half of the stage invisible. Y, Z and parts of X don't have arm rests.

Theatremonkey likes to mooch (if the theatre is selling them to monkeys its age) in Y seats 17 to 20. Sadly, row Z 16 to 21 are now the same price as Y, and are both second price and second choice as these are fair rather than bargain value alas. On the other hand, there's a pair of cheap seats right next to them in row Y - fair or just about, for view if not comfort. The short legged will also find row X 15 to 22 good value after Y and Z. The view in these seats, and comfort is not great, but the value is good enough to justify the choice.

A reader says,
"Y16, £20 plus £2.50 booking fees. I wanted to buy a better seat, but this was the best available. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised with the seat. I am not sure how things might be for other plays with too many actors and/or bigger set, but for my one, the view is very clear. It is true that you sit little bit sideways, but not really a big deal. However, a word of caution. I think the lower you get, the worse will be, because the angle gets smaller. The worst will be those near the pillar. Legroom is O.K. (I am 5ft 10/11). Overall, taking the price into account, very good seat."

Other slip seats are held for students, though, so are hard to obtain for others.

A reader notes that in seats Y 1 to 3, "the view from the seats is ok, but a little moving about was needed. I wouldn't suggest those seats (we actually had Y2/3) for a play etc as about half the stage is 'missing' but for cabaret happening centre stage, they are great value." This goes for all seats in the circles at the edges of this theatre, as the monkey says above!

Legroom is poor in all seats for the tallest (over 6ft), worst in rows A and X for everyone. A touch more at the outer ends of rows A and B, though.

 

Dress Circle Boxes
Two large boxes either side of the stage. The view from all is angled with the rear quarter of the stage not visible. Choose seats 4 to 7 in all boxes as these minimise the problem. Not on sale usually, but when they are, value is poor at top price - avoid totally, much better at a heavy discount (bottom price). Choose the stalls first.

Normally, it is reported that boxes will not be sold. Should they be available it will only be to personal callers at the box office, where any drawbacks can be explained to them.

 

 

UPPER CIRCLE
Called the LILIAN BAYLIS CIRCLE in this theatre.

This circle is high above the ground. Like the Dress Circle it has a central block and three rows of seats extending along the sides of the theatre between the circle and stage. A bar runs across the front of the circle, affecting the view slightly in row A. It is double height at the aisles, so pedants might want to avoid the aisle seat here. Less comfortable seating is used here too.

Row A seats 14 to 26 are now at second price. If the bar, legroom and height don't bother you, worth thinking about as the alternatives at the same price are at the back of the stalls and Dress Circle.

Behind that, in the centre block, Row B seats 10 to 28 offer the best view here, followed by row C 10 to 28. At third price though, consider paying a little more for the rear stalls first if legroom is a priority. The monkey picks the stalls on this one. Row B seats 2, 3, 35 and 36 offer a bit more legroom, a bit less view but much lower prices. Consider these if not reserved for students. Row A seats 3 and 33 are next restricted view choice only if legroom is not an issue, otherwise avoid.

Rows F and G feel a long way from the stage in the monkey opinion.

For some productions - including "Noises Off" (December 2011) - purists might like to avoid G 20 and 24 and F 20 to 24, with a lighting position nearby. Most won't notice, though.

A reader comments,
"had perfect seats - Baylis circle Row B seats 14 to 17."

In the same row at 'Cause Celebre' (April 2011) another reader adds,
"B19: Right in the middle, I was quite happy with the seat. Leg room was adequate, and the seat comfortable. You get an excellent view of the stage --- of course, one is a bit far away from the stage, but I didn't feel that distracted from my enjoyment in any way. I would choose that seat again. I certainly don't think the front row of the upper circle is worth the extra £10 GBP charged! In short, Theatremonkey's coding of B19 as a green seat was spot on."

 

The side blocks are designated restricted view with between a fifth and half of the stage not visible - and the bars don't help; and are labelled rows S, P and X (X is the front row, P the central and S the back - standing positions). Seats 15 to 22 in all rows are a bargain bin choice - choose row P - or S for a tiny bit more comfort if you don't mind standing. Also remember that central block seats A 3 and 33 and B 2, 3, 35 and 36 may also be available for the same money if not nabbed by youngsters on the discount scheme...

Those on tight budgets should look at side blocks if the purse is not stretching further. Note, the side seats are "bench style" - so arrive early to stake out your portion! Double height metal bars are present at the ends of the row, too, making the last few seats distinctly average value.

Legroom is poor in all seats, worst in rows A and X. A little more is offered in row B seats 2, 35 and 36.

This circle is named in honour of the dynamic Old Vic manager, a lady who believed in bringing quality theatre to the masses at affordable prices. Theatremonkey salutes her.

 

Notes
Total 1067 seats.

Air-conditioned Auditorium.

Guide dogs can be dogsat by staff. Wheelchair users have access via a portable ramp over a step at a firedoor, to a decent seat in the stalls. Access to an adapted toilet through the corridor leading into the stalls boxes. More information from the stage door on 020 7928 2651. 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.

Three bars; Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle.

4 toilets; Stalls 1 gents 2 cubicles, 1 ladies 5 cubicles, 1 unisex disabled; Upper Circle 1 gents 2 cubicles, 1 ladies 7 cubicles

 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Getting to this Theatre
Find this theatre on a Street Map
Nearest Underground Station Buses Car Park
Nearest Underground Station:
Waterloo - Bakerloo Line (brown), Jubilee Line (silver gray), Northern Line (black). Also a main line station.

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

This station has multiple exits, not clearly marked, so be careful! The best route is as follows:

From the platforms, follow signs for the "Waterloo Road" exit.

On leaving the glass doors, turn right. You can see the corner of the theatre - it is on the opposite corner of the next crossroads you come to. Just cross the road and walk to your right.

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If, in error, you left by the "South Bank" and / or "Shell Exit" and / or "York Road Exit" from the platform to the surface, you will be on York Road.

Cross the road and turn to your left. Walk to the corner and take the next turning, a grotty street called Morpeth Road. Walk up it. At the very end, turn right. Walk on and you will come to the station exit you wish you had taken!

You will now be able to see the corner of the theatre - ahead and on the opposite corner to the left of the next crossroads you come to. Just cross the road and walk straight on to reach it.


For mobility impaired audience members,
the Society of London Theatre provide a "photo map" - illustrated walking route to this venue from a near landmark and also Waterloo Station (the nearest fully accessible station) on their website www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk, via the theatre's listing page on that site.

 

Buses:
1, 4, 68, 176, 188, 501 all stop nearby.

 

Car Park:
Parking on street after 6 pm, or hike from Coin Street. From this car park turn left. If you come to the back of the National Theatre and London Television Studios, wrong way.

Change side of the road and at the corner, turn right. Change side of the road. Keep walking until you come to a large roundabout with a circular building in the centre of it. Follow the pavement around and take the first turning on your left, Waterloo Road.

Walk straight down it, crossing a traffic access road in front of St John's Church, then crossing Exton Street, Alaska Street and Sandell Street. 

The theatre is on the opposite corner of the next crossroads you come to. If instead you come to the front of Waterloo Station, wrong way.

 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

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