An Independent Inside Guide to London Theatre and Concert Venues

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Seating Plan Diagram

The front block is split into a central and two side blocks by aisles. The stage is a wooden floor laid in a diamond on a grassy base. The diamond shape sometimes comes to a sharp point in front of the centre seats in row A. It is low enough not to affect sightlines too greatly, though a few purists might want to avoid A 11 to 14. 

Choose the centre block row D first, then C, B and A. Then look at the rear block row L seats 25 to 40 (or K 22 to 36 if the fence and a bit less legroom is not a problem for you) before picking rows E to I and J since the rake is better.

For the 2007 season, row F 21 to 24 and G 22 to 27 are "premium" seats at a few pounds over top price. If you feel strongly about supporting this venue, buying them would be a nice gesture, thinks the monkey.

A new row of 57 seats, row J, is inserted in the aisle space in front of row K. Positioned in the aisle space between front and rear stalls blocks, against the wooden rails of the rear section, it has an excellent view and better legroom than other seating, and a reader who sat there agrees!

The side blocks offer a good, if slightly angled view, but as usual, the centre block is preferable, as all seats are the same price. Row choice is the same as the centre block. Four wheelchair spaces can be inserted into row J replacing seats 6 to 8, 9 to 11, 20 to 23, 31 to 34, 43 to 45 and 46 to 48 as required. Monkey advice is to take 20 to 23 and 31 to 34 first, as they are nice and central. See notes.

Reader Craig notes that:
"Stall seats were comfortable, all now have integral cushions. All stall seats are individual seats with wooden arm rests."

Legroom is good for all but those over 5ft 10 or so in all seats, best in row A where it is almost unlimited. The new row J will also suit the longer legged, feels the monkey.

REAR STALLS 
The rear section is a wooden walled concrete grandstand split into five blocks by gangways. A  low wooden wall runs across the front of this section but does not affect the view from any seat, though some may still want to avoid them. Do note that the very first and very last seat in the whole row (which are all located in the outermost blocks) are NOT on an aisle, there is just a wooden wall next to them. Also note that there are no armrests in this section of the auditorium.

Row K seats 9 to 49, row L seats 10 to 55, row M seats 10 to 56 and row N seats 11 to 62 are the same top price as the front section of the theatre. Some may welcome the opportunity to sit further back for the same money - and the view is decent enough - but the monkey rates the tickets only average value here. In particular, it isn't all that happy with the outermost seats in the blocks, at second price in 2007, now hitting top price. Just "fair" value now, it feels. You are further from the stage, don't get armrests and yet pay the same money. Seats behind the fence posts in particular should be avoided at this new top price. Also, be aware there is fencing around the stairwells and front of the block section too; some may wish to choose O and P centre to avoid it if they are shorter.

Choose the centre section first at the third and fourth price bands, then move outwards. The view is not disappointing from any seat, but as usual when all are priced the same, insist on the best.

Also worth avoiding are seats row O 18 to 24 and 60 to 66, P 19 to 25 and 63 to 69, Q 19 to 25 and 65 to 71 and R 21 to 27 and 68 to 74 which are behind a stairwell wall. Fortunately, the box office sell most of these horrors last!

Behind row O the seats rise steeply. Value is fair in all seats, but rows S and T do feel remote from the action (you notice it when climbing down from your perch there!) - sound is normally good, though. Depressingly, much of the back two rows are now far more expensive - promoted from fifth (bottom) price to fourth price. The only bottom price tickets now are at the far ends of row T. If choosing these, try for as close to the aisle as possible - and be aware that foliage can get in the way / shed leaves on you at the extreme ends of the row.

Small posts beside P11, 12, 33, 34, 55, 56, 77 and 78 do not affect the view much, but purists may want to ignore the seats beside them in row P, and directly behind in rows Q and R. Row T seats 14, 15, 42, 43, 70, 71, 98 and 99 nestle below the access doors for the lighting towers above and behind. This is not a problem, and the compensation is a clear view and unlimited legroom as only the aisle is in front.

For musicals, a sound desk can replace row T seats 53 to 62, extending out of the technicians hut above and behind the seating area.  Avoid seats around it - T51, 52, 63 and 64 in particular, and also S 45 to 58 if you don't like being overlooked. For 2008 it looks like it may not be used... the monkey keeps fingers crossed but still stays away from these seats where possible when booking before the production opens, just in case.

Legroom is a little less in row K, adequate in rows L to T for all but the very tallest over 5ft 10 or so, best in Row T seats 14, 15, 42, 43, 70, 71, 98 and 99.

Notes
Seats 1240 plus 60 on lawn

Occasional signed performances. Guide dogs welcome, water bowls provided. Radio headsets available for hearing impaired visitors - £5 returnable deposit required - and must be booked in advance. Level access from entrance or car park to auditorium. Gender segregated adapted toilets - ALMOST UNIQUE IN LONDON!!! Other theatres take note. This theatre gets it right. Full details of all special facilities are available from the house manager on 020 7935 5756.

Barbeque and other food available, as well as ice cream and confectionery. Arrive early and bring your own picnic - the grounds open 90 minutes before evening performances (30 minutes for mornings and afternoon shows), or order one from the box office...

...Food can be ordered up to ONE WEEK advance, and a voucher is issued with your tickets. Simply exchange this at the theatre bar for your meal on arrival. Two packages are available:
Evenings:
"Priority Suppers" £16.
Choose from a main course of Marinated Chicken Breast, Baked Fillet of Salmon or Vegetarian Tartlet. All are served with fresh salad. A dessert is also included, as well as either a glass of beer or wine. Choice of alcohol brand is at theatre discretion, and alcohol cannot be served to those aged under 18. Proof of age may be required and the right to refuse service is reserved. No refund is given for un-used vouchers / refused service.

Mid-week Afternoons:
"Tea and cake" £3.50.
A cup of tea and a slice of cake can be reserved in advance.

Large bar, and the monkey means huge - the whole width of the theatre, almost!

Ample toilets in separate block. 

This theatre is open to the elements. Performances are rained off only when near storm conditions are reached. If this happens go to the special box office windows that open onto the foyer area (they are on a pathway behind the shrubbery that banks up from the foyer to the box office building), and change your ticket free for another date. If you cannot, tickets remain exchangeable indefinitely for future years - you can mail them to the Box Office Manager to make the exchange, or fill in the form on their website. Do note that arrangements to do this can only be made via the actual venue if you telephone, NOT any ticket agency who picks up the telephone for them. Money is never refunded except when the performance is cancelled for reasons OTHER THAN the weather. In this case, only the face value of the tickets is refundable.

In the afternoons the box office sell the shaded (higher numbers) side first. This is a relative term and long sleeves and very strong sunblock for face and neck are essential.

Theatremonkey reminds parents especially to use very strong sunscreen on their children if attending daytime performances. Even on a very dull day sunburn is a high risk in this theatre. Better still make them wear 'legionnaire hats' covering the head and neck - for protection.

In the evening unless the daytime was 80 degrees plus, a thin pullover is needed, especially in the last rows of the rear block. A reader feels that, "It is flipping freezing in the evenings and blanket would be better advice".  They go on to say that the theatre do not hire blankets out any more because some twit threw them out when they stored them for safe keeping during the last paint job!

After wet weather the seats will be damp. You will be handed a cloth to dry them, but theatremonkey recommends taking your own paper towels and putting a waterproof on the seat before parking yourself in it.

Do not dress in best clothes for this theatre - they will probably not survive. Please, please visit the place just once though. The atmosphere here is both magic and unique.

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

The theatre is a long walk from this station. 

The station has multiple exits, so, on leaving the station, look around you. If you can, head for the "Baker Street (North)" exit. An "L" shaped corridor between two shops - currently "Boots" on your right / "Little Italy" restaurant on your left, brings you to onto the pavement!

If you miss that exit, follow any exit sign promising to indicate the way to the zoo - these will eventually put you where you want to be on Baker Street!

If you see a blue dome and Madam Tussauds to your left on leaving the station, then ignore them and turn to your right and walk to the street corner. Do not cross any roads, just turn right into Baker Street and meet your friend who got lucky with the other station entrance first time.

If you exit into a short street, head to your left and the busy road. Look for a blue dome and Madam Tussauds to your right on this busy road. Cross it, turn right, walk to the corner, and turn right into Baker Street. There meet your friend who got lucky with the other station entrance first time.

All together now on on the pavement outside the correct exit, face the road (keep the exit behind you) and turn to your right. You will pass the front entrance of the same "Boots the Chemist" shop that ran down the right hand side of the correct  "North" exit corridor.

Walk down Baker Street, passing the London Transport Lost Property Office and continuing to the end of the road. If you pass the Sherlock Holmes Hotel, wrong way.

At the end of Baker Street, cross Allsop Place and walk straight on into the park. 

Cross the road ahead of you, Regents Park Outer Circle, and enter the main park area by the entry to your right.

Inside the park follow the path to the right and cross the nearby footbridge over the water - the first signpost to the theatre is at the start of this bridge, stuck to the wall of it on your right.  Once across the footbridge, turn left and follow the path as it curves and eventually passes a bandstand. Keep going straight on until you reach a road, Regents Park Inner Circle. Cross this road.

Turn to your right and follow the path as it curves to the nearest park entrance - beside a cafe. Take it and follow the path ahead through the garden to the theatre.

The above is complicated, but the route is fairly well signposted. The Open Air Theatre website has a photographic version of this route on their "How To Find Us" page.

Also, please be aware that after late night events, you may be asked to leave the park via the Ring Road rather than through the gardens. If so, turn right on leaving the "Inner Circle" ring road junction with the Outer Circle road, and follow the road back to Baker Street as usual.

Coaches need a coach permit to enter the park. Call the Royal Parks Agency on 020 7486 7905 at least one week in advance.