STALLS
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this page should not be directly copied and reproduced on other websites /
noticeboards. Hyperlinks to this page are, of course, welcomed. The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row L. The top of the stage is not
visible from row R back.
The stalls are arranged in a graceful curve, like a good banana (Mmnn, 'narnas
- snack break. Back later - theatremonkey) in front of the stage. Aside from
avoiding the first and last few seats in rows CC to Q (because to see the edges
of the stage requires looking sideways) theatremonkey sits anywhere in these
stalls.
For "Grease" the front row is BB, available as a £20 day standby
ticket, bit of a bargain to be had, thinks the monkey.
A reader agrees,
"These seats, I have to say, I think are the most amazing front row
seats I have sat in. They are so close to the stage, I love it! What's
also good is that the Piccadilly is quite a small theatre when compared
to others. When my brother came in he did not know what to expect of the
seats, and he couldn't stop laughing as we were so close! I must say
they are quite close together (and I heard someone behind me say that
this theatre was the most uncomfortable she has ever been to) but I
couldn't believe that one row behind they paid £55 whereas we paid £20 -
FANTASTIC VALUE FOR MONEY."
Moving back, if he is picky he chooses rows E to K first, but isn't over
fussy, the rake is good for most, and the sightlines clear. The only ones to
avoid are the ends of rows.
An innovative strategy puts row E 11 to 18 and F 10 to 19 at a premium price.
About "fair" value, feels the monkey, but no more than that... it would go so
far as to pick tickets close to these first and save £20 a seat for the same
view...
Reader Frances says,
"Row E: seats 21 and 22 - nice and close and gave a good view of the whole
stage."
A reader notes:
"Row F 17 to 20: wonderful view, and enough leg room to get up and dance"
Reader James F reports,
"(H 8 and 9) found that the armrest were too high and irritated me during the
performance (even though I'm 6 '1). I also found that the stalls are quite level
so if someone tall sits in front of you, your view might become obscure.
Of row J, another reader says:
"We had good seats in J13 and 14 thanks to Theatremonkey (although the raise is
not that big and the man in front of us did have a very large head...)"
A row back, reader Mila reports,
"K14 to16 perfect view (wouldn’t have wanted to be much closer!)
Reader KJ Hailes reports:
"Seat 8 in row D of the stalls was fine with good legroom and a high enough
stage to see over peoples heads."
Reader Sam feels similarly:
"Seat K20. Excellent seat. Everything is great. If I am very picky though, I
would want a little bit higher rake. I actually got this seat for only £30 for
the show I saw (not "Grease" - ed), so it was Super Green lol! Agreement with
the theatremonkey's assessment."
Monkey regular seat connoisseur James concurs,
"Sat in Stalls K11 to K20 for “Grease” – good rake and far enough from the stage
to ensure a pretty clear view without straining your neck."
Rows BB back to B offer neck ache inducing views of the stage - especially
with a two tier set. One reader feels, though that:
"Seats B13 and 14 in the stalls. Fantastic seats... There were no problems with
the view and you really do feel that they are performing just for you".
Two readers also felt that B15 and 16 had a good view of the stage too,
commenting that they were really central too. Another reader is also a fan,
commenting:
"Second row, B20: excellent view, no neck pain (the stage is low), very
comfortable."
Reader Adele notes:
"We sat in B, C last 2 seats and row F last seat and the view was slightly
restricted to the left side of the stage"
Another reader liked D17 - especially as it was obtained at a discount!
Another reader, Denise Schult, writes,
"This was a most enjoyable evening - we had seats in Row E 15 - 17 in the Stalls
and it was certainly an excellent view with enough legroom for most. (View would
have been even better had I not had a lady in front who insisted on moving her
head from side to side, stroking her hair, fidgeting, leaning forward and
turning around to look at the conductor on the cast screen - that is the only
downside of going to a theatre - you can't pick who sits in front or behind you
- shame)."
Couldn't agree more, feels the monkey.
Rows M to O are second best at top price, being further from the stage for the
same money. If you can accept a little less legroom, pick Dress Circle rows B or
C before these seats at the same price.
One reader comments:
"Our seats were in M row, numbers 28 and 29. The theatre floor is sloped. The
seats are staggered to give good view of the stage. A large person sitting in
the seat in front should not restrict your vision."
A little far over for the monkey's taste, but it knows what the person means.
Reader Lizzie comments,
"Sat in the stalls – Row N and had a good view; however the seats, that’s
another matter. The theatre has obviously been recently refurbished because the
seats appeared newly upholstered but the floor is quite steeply sloping and you
have this feeling that you are slipping forward on your seat all the time –
noticed a lot of people wriggling to get comfortable - impossible. Makes you
wonder if whoever designs these seats ever sits through a performance in them. "
Row P seats 7 to 23 offered value at second price, feels the monkey, but are
tending towards expensive at top price. Of the rest of the top price seats in
the rear stalls, it might pick rows F and G Dress Circle first for the same
money if legroom is not a problem - though the view is not much of an
improvement.
The only rear stalls it would really avoid are those near the sound desk. Advice for purists is that seats
10 to 20 in row S,
and rows T and U seats 10, 11, 19 and 20 are probably be worth a miss - those in
row S most definitely so, according to reader Eric. Other seats in rows T and U
though are well worth a thought before taking Dress Circle rows J, K and L. In
both stalls and Dress Circle you have an overhang cutting the top of the stage
to contend with, but it is less a problem in the stalls - which are also cheaper
too, feels the monkey. Legroom in the stalls is also better.
For some reason the whole theatre is fitted with seats that have three
sections to the back. The effect is to make you sit up straight and tip you back
to centre if you slouch. This is how audiences survived 'Which Witch' that the
theatre was cursed with housing in the 1990's. If you have a back problem, get
an aisle seat to allow a quick exit if required.
Legroom is fine in all seats, best in the front row.
DRESS CIRCLE
Called the ROYAL CIRCLE in this theatre.
The Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle at row D, affecting the view from
row F back.
A bar runs across the front of the Dress Circle. It becomes double height at
the centre aisle, and a reader notes it affects the view from row A seats 14 and
15, with row B and C 14 and 15 worth avoiding too.
The Dress Circle is split into two by a centre aisle. Rows B and C are best,
then D and E. Row A is worth considering if legroom is unimportant to you.
Transfer from a wheelchair to seat A 28 is possible. See notes.
Most seats in each row follow a curve inward towards the centre, but the
first and last four in rows B to D actually curve away from the front of the
circle slightly. This means a tiny bit of extra legroom in seats 1 and 28, and
2, 3, 26 and 27. Allowing for the slightly sideways and side on view from these
seats, they are worth considering for those over five foot five or so...though
for anyone much taller than 5 foot 9, the stalls is preferable. Pick row C or D
first to allow distance to improve the viewing angle.
An innovative strategy puts row A 5 to 12 and 17 to 24 at a premium price.
About "fair" value, feels the monkey, but no more than that... it would pick
tickets behind these and save £20 a seat for the same view and an inch more
legroom... oh, and for those wondering why 13 to 16 are not premium priced - the
aisle safety rail intrudes into their view!
Reader Jon says,
"I was safely within one of Theatremonkey's 'Green Zones' in seat B22 in the
Dress Circle. Above average leg room and a clear view of the stage meant I
was happy."
reader Karen is also a row B fan,
"fabulous seats Dress Circle B25 and 26"
reader Wayne from Lincoln had the same seats for "Grease" (August 2007) and
agrees,
"seats B 25 and 26: excellent seats, excellent view and plenty of room, well
worth full price."
Reader Adam brought up an issue with the row, though,
"I sat in the Dress Circle row B seat 10. Legroom was above average and the view
of the stage was fantastic. There was a big problem with this seat however, that
seemed to be caused by the angle of the backrest. When I relaxed into it I found
myself looking at a point on the ceiling just above the stage. The only solution
for this was for me to lean forward which was fine to start with but left me
very uncomfortable for the last half hour or so."
Not something others reported before, but worth knowing for the tall (Adam is
6ft 2), felt the monkey.
Two rows back from Karen and Wayne, reader James reports,
"Sat in D5 and D6 in the Dress Circle – a great view and could hear everything
very well."
Further back, one reader, Alun, notes that the legroom isn't much -
"My seat, although only two in from the edge (F27), was not bad except
almost no legroom ( and I'm only short at 5'7''). Could see the sides of the
stage quiet well" .
Rows F and G are only worthwhile if all seats in the stalls as far back as
row O at the same price have gone.. Row H is pretty expensive for the view, in
the monkey's opinion, while it feels that rows J to L should not normally be
considered unless you REALLY want to see the show and all the seats in the
stalls at the same price and lower have gone. The low front of the Upper Circle above cuts
the view of the top of the stage, and a peculiarity with the rake of the theatre
make these seats seem remote.
Legroom is cramped in all seats - even 5ft 7 readers have complained - and
very poor in row A. Centre aisle seats in rows B to L, numbered 14 and 15, offer
a little more space for one leg to stretch into as well as a central view.
Dress Circle Boxes
Either side of the stage offering a view with about an eighth of the edges
not visible. Rarely sold to the public, though they are for "Grease." Accept only after all other seats at around the
same price have been sold or cheap seating with extra legroom at Dress Circle level is required.
Seat four, with two wheelchair spaces in box C if required instead of
seats.
Wheelchair users get priority for use of this box, and tickets will only be
released on the day of performance to other members of the public if a
wheelchair user does not require the box. See notes.
UPPER CIRCLE
Called the GRAND CIRCLE in this theatre.
A very steep rake means that while rows A to E feel close to the stage, rows
F back suddenly start to induce vertigo in the most susceptible hearts. A bar
runs across the front of the circle.
Like the Dress Circle the first and last seats in rows B to M gain a little
extra legroom from curving away from the wall.
A reader comments about row A:
"We have recently been to the Piccadilly Theatre. The seats we had were in
the Grand Circle front row A numbers 19 and 20, unfortunately a safety/hand rail
along the top of the balcony restricts the view of the front half of the stage
and means that you have to sit forward in order to get a good view. The
people sitting in the seats alongside us also complained about this."
Theatremonkey picks rows D and E first at third price due to the stage, row F
at fourth price and row L at fifth price. Seats from row K back particularly
feel very far from the action, and prices charged only allow for this in the
final two rows, making value for money harder to get in rows J and K.
A reader says of row L:
"Row L seat 17: You're right about the rake inducing a bit of vertigo. The stage
seemed distant and I didn't catch all the words but the music was loud and
clear, and I felt a little smug thinking I had paid £10 less than those sat in
the next row down. I'm 5ft 8 and was just about ok with the leg room, which was
minimal, can't see how those 6ft and over cope and would advise them to avoid
this area."
Another rated row D seats 4 and 5 as better than row L (though more expensive
of course!)
All seats in the Upper Circle usually offer a clear view of the stage, though
a reader has found in the past that:
"Row C 14 and 15 were a bit obstructed, as the show came to the front of
the stage, by the 'bar' in front of Row A. Also the bars in the aisle caused
some obstruction too, so if you were going to the Grand Circle, I would suggest
a couple of rows higher and a few seats in from the aisle if most of the show is
performed central to the stage".
Sound advice, felt the monkey.
Theatremonkey regular Chris May says:
"Upper Circle F 17 and 18 for £30: I say
good value, great view of the whole stage nothing missed at all and leg room
is decent. Only drawback is its bloomin' warm up there!"
A few rows back a reader says,
"Seat L15: End of row, cheap seat, OK but had some younger person
with gelled spiky hair in front, otherwise passable."
Legroom is cramped in all seats felt the monkey - though Chris May feels it
isn't that bad for shorter persons - except rows B to M seats 1 to 3 and 26 to 28,
and very poor in row A. Another reader says,
"I'm 5ft 8 and was just about OK with the leg room, which was minimal, can't see
how those 6ft and over cope and would advise them to avoid this area."
Centre aisle seats in rows B to L, numbered 14 and 15,
offer a little more space for one leg to stretch into as well as a central view.
Notes
Total 1200 seats.
Air-conditioned auditorium. Not always
working!
Hearing loop available. A guide dog sitting service is offered. The wheelchair spaces
in box C are accessed from a fire exit via an 8-cm step and slope. Transfer to
seat Dress Circle A 28 also possible. A hearing loop would be nice at some point. Fuller details from www.theambassadors.com,
or Artsline on 020 7388 2227 e-mail artsline@dircon.co.uk.
A reader says of facilities here in June 2005:
"The Piccadilly states wheelchair access and seating in it’s programme. The access is through a side exit door in Sherwood Street. Space is available for people to transfer to a seat in A28 in the Royal Circle. Also they sometimes have a box available for two wheelchairs. This is very commendable, unless you happen to want to use the toilet during your visit. Toilet facilities for disabled in this theatre are non existent. First question I asked when entering the theatre, “do you have disabled toilet facilities” To which the answer was “very sorry, no”. Just to make sure I asked a number of members of staff, and got the same reply. A disabled person needing to use these facilities would have to negotiate stairs (with a wheelchair)??? I used two crutches for my visit to the theatre. These became ‘invisible’ to other patrons when I entered the toilets or tried to negotiate the stairs to the bar. As apparently did the rest of me. There is a bar, The American Bar, which does not have stairs, in the stalls. The evening we were in the theatre, this had been taken over by British Telecom. It was out of bounds to anyone else."
Food: Ice cream and confectionery. For £15 a "theatrebox" containing 12
canapés can be purchased at the bar before the performance or at the interval.
More details from www.theatrebox.net.
Four bars. Two Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle.
8 Toilets. Stalls 1 gents 1 cubicle, 3 ladies 3, 2, 2 cubicles respectively;
Dress Circle 1 gents 2 cubicles, 1 ladies 3 cubicles; Upper Circle 1 gents 1
cubicle, 1 ladies 1 cubicle.
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