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 own tickets from those available. Booking fees per transaction for online bookings: A £3.65 per booking, not per ticket, handling fee applies.   Other Online Choices (with S.T.A.R. genuine ticket agencies): When the theatre does not have the tickets you desire available, it is well worth trying the Theatremonkey Ticketshop agency, telephone 020 7420 9778 (0044 207 420 9778 if calling from outside the United Kingdom), offers £75 seats with a £13.50 booking fee per ticket (£22.50 on £125, £18 on £99.50, £9.50 on £52.50, £7.20 on £39.50, £5.40 on £29.50 seats). Worth trying as they often have an alternative choice of seats available! Note that this system will confirm exact seat numbers prior to purchase. A £1.95 per booking, not per ticket, handling fee may apply on some transactions by telephone. NO handling fee applies for online purchases. Another alternative is www.seetickets.com which offers £52.50 seats with a £10.50 booking fee per ticket (£19.90 on £99.50, £7.90 on £39.50, £5.90 on £29.50, £4 on £20 seats). A £2.75 per booking (not per ticket) handling fee applies. Ticketmaster.co.uk offers £75 seats with a £12.50 booking fee per ticket (£20.75 on £125, £16.50 on £99.50, £8.75 on £52.50, £7.206.75 on £39.50, £5 on £29.50 seats). There is a £1 per ticket booking fee and a £1.75 per booking, not per ticket, transaction fee. This system allows you to select your own seats. Encore Tickets (telephone 0207 400 1253 / 0044 207 400 1253 if calling from outside the United Kingdom) offers £75 seats with a £12 booking fee per ticket (£35 on £125, £15.50 on £99.50, £8.50 on £52.50, £6.50 on £39.50, £4.50 on £29.50 seats). A postage charge of £1.45 per booking, not per ticket may be applied to bookings made from UK K addresses more than 5 days before the performance. 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 £1.99 per ticket. Meal and show packages may also be available. Quality and Value hotel / theatre ticket packages are also available. Londontheatredirect.com offers £75 seats with a £15 booking fee per ticket (£25 on £125, £20 on £99.50, £10.50 on £52.50, £8 on £39.50, £6 on £29.50 seats). There is a £1 per booking, not per ticket, transaction fee for collecting tickets from the box office before your performance. Alternatively, if time allows, there is a postage to your home option, costing £2.95 (£4.95 to non-UK addresses) per booking, not per ticket. Optional Ticket Insurance is also available. 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 7631 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: A £3.65 per booking, not per ticket, handling fee applies. For personal callers or by post: Northumberland Avenue, London. WC2N 5DE No booking fee for personal callers. Special Access Needs Customers: Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them on a dedicated phone line. See Notes.

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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. The details below are for the current production. For "Fiddler On The Roof," a different layout applies in the stalls. The monkey will update advice as available.

Seating Plan Diagram

Stalls

Dress Circle

Upper Circle

Notes

STALLS  Layout: The Dress Circle overhangs the stalls at row M but is high enough above to avoid affecting the view from any seat. Seats are in a single block facing the stage. A good rake (sloped floor to help see over rows in front) results in clear views from almost all seats in the stalls. Rows P and Q in particular are elevated, with a step up to Q. Legroom: Good in all seats, for all but the tallest. C1, D 1 and 21 have nothing in front of them. E 1 and 23 have nothing in front of 99% of the seat width. C18 has 25% of the seat width clear in front. A 1, B 1, F 1, F24 and G 1 have 5% of the seat width clear in front.   Choosing Seats in General: Almost all seats offer at least fair value for money. Those in the front rows may find the stage a little high - sit further back if shorter and wishing to avoid neck ache. It is worth avoiding the first and last four seats from row E to P as these are outside the proscenium and suffer an awkward viewing angle. Prime seats the monkey feels are in the centre from around rows F to K at top price. G1 and 24 are wheelchair places. The view could be much better. Transfer is possible to any aisle seat. See notes. In the rear stalls, rows P and Q are normally cheaper. Monkey likes all but the seats that might be near the sound desk. It does, though, note some very decent seats in the front side blocks of the dress circle and centre upper circle at the same price. It might itself take a single on the dress circle aisle before these, but that's personal preference for a bit more legroom and nothing in front, nothing more. General Hazard Notes: Reader Andy found the seats uncomfortable. They are fairly narrow and have hard square seat and back cushions, notes the monkey. The stage can be too high for some in the front row. Outermost seats in rows E to P are “outside” the proscenium and thus don’t directly face the playing area. Sound desk avoiders might like to miss P1 to 18 and Q11 and 18 too when one is installed. This is the theatre where – many years ago - the monkey was once sold a seat in the front row... only to find on arrival in the auditorium the front row was missing... Changes for the current production: Altered to put a walkway through the centre. Seats still face the stage, but there are no aisles at the ends of rows nearest the runway. More updates when monkey has them. Initial reports feel that the stage is very low, and the stalls simply has a walkway through the centre. Those in the rear rows may find that the lack of stage height and rake (sloped floor to help rows see over each other) will be a problem if shorter. Legroom is also very cramped in row N for those over 5ft 5. N17 has space beside it. Also, there is a step down to N17 to 19 which is hard to see. G11 and 12 apparently have a restricted view due to a false wall in the way. H34 and N24 are apparently cramped for most over 5ft 5 or so. The sound desk beside it and row O bother nobody, though. Reader Comments for the current production: "B9: Good view, good for price. The way the stalls is laid out means that views from H back may be difficult given the low stage if a tall person sits in front, but the seats are irregularly placed so some have none in front. The view from the circle level boxes look great, from the stalls level boxes I don't think you will see more than 10% of the stage." "F13: Rather snug to get into but plenty of room for a tall chap like me to feel comfortable. Clear view of the stage and excellent value on a Rush Ticket for £25." "H32: Good view. Todaytix £25 rush seat." "J30: I sat in newly angled Stalls J30 and my goodness it was cramped, worst I've sat in for a long time. I'm six foot so used to some seats being tight but rarely as close to the row in front as this was - I fully blame the re-angling. To let me in to my seat, everyone in the row had to traipse out, there was no way anybody could squeeze past another person. Was also disturbed throughout the show by the person in the row behind me moving their legs and knocking against my seat back. All rows that are at the new angle seem to be similarly squashed against the row in front as far as I could see. I hope they put things back for the next show! Things aren't quite as per your plan. There is a pronounced kink in the row at roughly J25 (and about the same place in other rows) so that the centre block, for the whole rear half of the stalls anyway, are straight on to the stage, possibly in their original locations and spacing, I'm not sure. It's just the whole of the front half and then the outer sides in the rear half that are at the new diagonal angle. I'm honestly not sure why they've bothered to change the stalls seating. It means that the centre aisle takes a slightly twisty path rather than being straight down the centre, but it makes little difference to the show. Sure the characters use the new twisty ramped aisle as an entrance and exit a lot, but they do not perform from it at all, merely run on and off the stage from it. I've seen people describe the production as immersive because of this new twisty ramp off the stage, but it absolutely isn't immersive. It may be worth a note to readers of the Circle section, they do not need to book the stalls out of fear of missing something on this new twisty aisle, they won't miss anything if they book the Circles. I like how they've extended the set into the walls of the Stalls, although one thing I found a bit odd was seeing ordinary punters' heads popping up "on the set" from time to time, because of the way their seats in the box or maybe the slips have been surrounded by set and made to look like they're part of the barn. Nothing happens high up on stage so I imagine the view is pretty good from the whole of the theatre." Reader Comments: NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING DOES NOT APPLY TO THE CURRENT PRODUCTION. "Row AA: "Lord of the Dance, Dangerous Games" (October 2015). Bought at £25 day seat price. Low stage, excellent value." "A14: I really liked being near the front, I felt it gave you a good opportunity to connect with the actors on the stage. Being all the way to the side didn't matter at all, I didn't miss a thing." "B3 to 6: we found these seats excellent. However I would like to comment that the music was a fraction to loud and was in danger of spoiling the fab songs." "B8 and 9: "Dreamboats and Petticoats" (July 2012), (Chris B). This is actually the third row back but these seats and fairly centrally located with a clear view. The theatre is definitely one of the smaller ones in the West End and feels quite intimate. For a show like this that is full of musical numbers you do feel very close to the stage, especially when they're dancing at the front of the stage. This all adds to the experience though. However I found the backs of the seats to be higher than usual. The leg room was sufficient, but be careful not to trap the persons feet from the row behind putting your seat down! But rest assured there is plenty of room to stand up and dance at the end." "B12 and 13: Really good seats, very close to the action. As someone else has commented on, maybe sitting further back would be better for those wanting to take it all in." "B13 and 14: (Stu). Would recommend ( row AA and BB were too close to the stage in my opinion)" “Row C: (Rob Mumford). A word of warning before you book - as the monkey says, when the front rows have been removed from the stalls. We were in row C (2nd from the front) and while we got a good close up view of the action you might want to consider sitting a few rows back so you can see everything which is going on." "C7: "Glengarry Glen Ross" (December 2017). Usually a premium priced seat but it was sold cheap to me for £25, an hour before the show at the theatre box office - I noted that the usual price was still the case online so this really was an in-person only offer. Perfect view of the play, and happily Robert Glenister is now back in the cast and giving a great performance." "C10: "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" (January 2015). Fantastic view of all the action from here. No AA and BB for this production so splendidly close but no neck ache." “Row D: "Dreamboats and Petticoats" (January 2010). Great” "D13: "David Baddiel - My Family: Not The Sitcom" (May 2017). I got a £55 ticket for £21.50. Great view. Felt like very good value. Good audience, so felt part of the show, not too distant." "D17: "Caroline Or Change" (December 2018). A great seat (D17) - thanks to advice from your site! :-)." "D18 and E15: We’d booked at slightly different times using the same special offer of £10 a seat for the production we saw. View was excellent and plenty of legroom, although the seats were certainly on the shabby side." “Row E: "La Cage Aux Folles" (2009), (N Ansari). We were sat in the stalls, row E seats 16 and 17 which were 5 rows from the front and behind the cabaret tables. The seats were perfect to see all the action and SPOILER ALERT be part of it sometimes! A wonderful show!" "Row E: "1984" (July 2016) (T.Huckstep). Lovely interesting old theatre full of atmosphere. Sat in row E in the stalls. Not much in the way of legroom but comfortable enough for the 1hour 40 minutes." "E1 and 2: (Barbara). Excellent for me as in the first seat I had extra legroom." "E1 and 2: "Spamalot" (December 2013). Truly abysmal. A huge speaker blocked a vital chunk of the set thereby blanking a large segment of the French farting scene (the set is very different from the original). Still you get your moment in the spotlight – though perhaps not as completely as the patron in D1 (thank goodness)." "E10 to 12: I would definitely recommend - close enough not to have to crane upwards and far enough away to be able to take in the sometimes very energetic action spread about the stage." "E18 and 19: "Caroline, or Change" (December 2018). The view was excellent from both, and we weren't troubled sightwise by the folks sitting in front of us. Incidentally I would say the theatre was almost full (at least the stalls were!). We could see the floor of the stage without straining upwards and no part of the performance was hidden. A couple of negative points about the seats though. They were not especially comfortable, seemingly quite small, and legroom was poor. At least you could tuck your feet under the seats in front of you which was a bonus." "E22: Great seat no complaints when got for £20 on a discount. Although right on the end of the row I didn't miss any of the action." "F3: (Mark – regular reader). £20 student standby. Very good view of the stage. Have seen 'La Cage Aux Folles' twice from stalls and twice from upper circle and just think the upper circle at the Playhouse is terrible when compared the fantastic views in the stalls. It really does affect how much you enjoy the show." "F19 and 20: Got these at a discount and chose them over more central in Row L. You feel close to the actors on stage whilst getting a full view of the stage." "G14: "Glengarry Glen Ross" (November 2017). £21.50: Got this seat last minute at the box office. The seating is staggered so that sitting on this seat allows you to view the stage in the gap between the two seats in front, as opposed to being positioned directly in line with the seat in front. This is fantastic as it gives a great view even if someone tall sits in front. I'm 6ft (1.8m) tall and had a comfortable space between my knees and the seats in front but still felt slightly uncomfortable in the seat itself as it's a little narrow (or rather perhaps I need to cut back on the mince pies!)." "H6 and 7: "Spamalot" (2013), (Graham): Seats were very good." "H7 and 8: Excellent seats (and such a beautiful theatre!)” "H8: "The Rocky Horror Show" (September 2015). Great view of stage, saw all the action (apart from when people were waving their hands in the air!) and decent legroom, but I'm only 5'4". It is a lovely, small theatre." "H 17 and 18: "Derren Brown: Underground" (September 2017). Bang in the middle... great seats with full views of the stage." "H 23 and 24: Didn't realise they were 'red' as bought from a half price booth. Didn't have too much of a problem with the seats (did have a problem with the fidgety man sitting next to me who made the whole row wobble every time he moved). You are to the side a bit and for 'La Cage' this meant we couldn't see the DSR door on stage but you didn't miss any of the action. Still close to the stage and at half price who can grumble!" "J16: "Caroline, or Change" (December 2018). Perfect seat!" "K11 and 12: “La Cage Aux Folles” (October 2008), (James – regular reader). The rake felt a little shallow but staggered seats really helped - good view and great sound from here." "K20 and 21: Great seats with a great view of the stage. I've never been disappointed with any area I have sat in the stalls, although I echo others comments on being seated further back to take in all the action." “K25: Booked by accident - I must have been looking at the wrong seating plan on this website at the time, otherwise I would never have accepted a RED seat - even if it was discounted. On the night, I found that the space immediately in front of K25 is used for wheelchair users, and on this particular evening an electric wheelchair was in this space. The wheelchair was so large that there was no legroom left for K25 and so high that the person occupying the wheelchair completely blocked my view. Fortunately, the theatre had anticipated such a problem and had a couple of seats had been held back from sale. I was offered F24, which technically is an even worse seat than K25 as the viewing angle is more awkward." "L11 through 14: Comfortable and a perfect view of the stage. I don't think anywhere in the Stalls would be a problem as this is a fairly small theatre." "L12 and 13: Perfect seats with a perfect view of the stage." "L11 and L12: “La Cage Aux Folles” (November 2009), (James – regular reader). Excellent sound and view from here, although a fairly shallow rake still makes me hope there's someone short in front of me, despite the staggered seats." "L3 to 5: Perfect even if slightly off centre, we still had a wonderful view and wouldn't have a problem recommending these on a discount." "N13: "Caroline or Change" (December 2018). Below the sound desk – good seat/view, raked rows, seats placed between heads, smallish theatre." Stalls Boxes  Layout: The Gladys Cooper and Prince of Wales boxes are at stalls level either side of the stage. Both boxes have four seats. Legroom: Acceptable, as movable chairs are used. Choosing Seats in General: The view from all boxes is reasonable, if sideways on, with just the nearside rear corner invisible. Fair value at second price, expensive at top. The monkey would take rear stalls first. General Hazard Notes: Seats miss action in the nearside corner of the stage. If the stage extends in front of these boxes, expect further narrowing of the views. Changes for the current production: On sale, but no comments yet as the theatre layout will change. Updates as available... Reader Comments: None.   DRESS CIRCLE  Layout: The Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle at row C; it cuts the view of the top of the stage from row G back. The Dress Circle is split into a central and two small side blocks by aisles. These cut two small blocks – running rows D to K – away to either side of the main one. Legroom: Pretty comfortable for all but the tallest in all central seats from B back. The balustrade effect front of the circle provides at least toe-space in row A. Aisle seats in the side blocks from row D to J offer stretching space with nothing in front. D is 100% clear, the rest lose 10% of clear as each row goes further back, until J is 50% clear. Side block D1 and 20, F1, 2, 25, 26, 27, J 1 and 27 and K 1 to 6 and 21 to 26 have much less legroom. Choosing Seats in General: The curve of the circle means all but the most central seats lose the very front of an extended stage, but it really isn't a noticeable issue. The central block offers fine views of the stage in rows A to E. Pick B first, then C, D, then E or A depending if legroom / looking over the balustrade is an issue. Choose stalls before accepting row G. Row A 1 to 6 and 24 to 29 are often cheaper and bookable in advance... the monkey likes 4 to 7 and 24 to 26 particularly at lower price - but strongly advises those shorter folk who would have trouble seeing over a balustrade to avoid these seats. For the same money, there is often the aisle seats on rows F to J - a spot of legroom in front here, and a decent view. The monkey itself would always take F or G first when it only requires a single seat. Row D seats 1 to 3, 19 and 20 have walls of bars in front of them making these seats unsuitable for those under five foot tall - everyone else may well like them, though - row E in particular. Seats D 4 and 18 have nothing directly in front, but do have railings in view. On the other hand, they are normally not top price and so fair value. E 3 and 17 edge them for view, losing less of the nearest front corner of stage to rails and walls. In rows F to K the first and last four seats are situated in the far corners of the theatre, with a restricted view - again through bars. Sold at a very large discount they make a fair budget choice if other seats are too expensive, though be aware that you do get exactly what you pay for with this option. Consider row C of the Upper Circle instead of side block ends of rows F to K at the same price. General Hazard Notes: Circle curve costs off-centre seats a view of the extended front stage at some productions. The front circle balustrade is high. Rails behind row C and in front of side block row D at the sides restrict views. Rails in front of side block row D cut legroom for some seats. Outermost side block seats are claustrophobic with no adjacent aisle. Changes for the current production: Mostly premium seats up here. Avoid, really avoid, premium row A unless you like looking over a ballustrade. If you must, take centre block B and C. Centre block E to G at those prices is pushing it, and the experience is probably more fun from the stalls. At top non-premium price, centre H and J are a long way back for the cash, and again the stalls is probably more fun. Side block centre aisle seats from D to H are best bet for legroom - and skip ends of rows as they are cramped. Side block second price seats are unexciting, don't go for the outermost pairs, but maybe J 5 and 25 are worth a glance. Corners of J and K are cheapest in the place. Skip J 1 and 27 and you could do worse once stalls ahve gone. Slips A and B are moveable chairs, huddled together at the side of the theatre between the main seating and the wall of the boxes. They are not a separated area, just chairs in a curve of the circle. Not much view if you want a lot of legroom, as you would have to push your chair back from the rail, losing the viewing angle - but pretty fair for the price.   Reader Comments: “A7 to 10: “La Cage Aux Folles”, (James – regular reader). The view is adequate, but these tickets should not be full price as the balustrade cuts off part of the stage, especially when the performers walk out to the extended stage. However, for the most part it’s okay and the sound is good from here." "A10: "The Kite Runner" (July 2017). The seat was was right in the centre of the dress circle and we had an excellent view of the stage with more than adequate leg room. The friend I went with is 6' 3"." "Row B: (Lizzie). We were in the Dress Circle, second row from the front. The centre section (avoid front row – as there is a rail) is the best - or if you have to get the side sections take a few rows back as there are banisters either side which restrict the view. It is a small theatre but perfect for a show as it had a friendly atmosphere." “B7: (Alison H). Excellent view. I would recommend those seats - lots of leg room, in addition to a good view. Do take theatremonkey's seating advice, though, and avoid the first row of dress circle and the ends of the rows, because of obstructed views because of the railings." "B12 and 13: "Caroline or Change" (December 2018). Excellent view. Very small section at the front of the stage obscured by the curve of the circle but hardly noticeable. And nothing next to B13 so plenty of room for bags and coats!" "D5 and 6: the view was great and found the seats comfortable with plenty of legroom too." "D7 and 8: "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" (January 2015). There was a £15 offer through Theatre Fix - for young people, editor). The view was fantastic (they are premium seats). We also went down to the stalls for the post show Q&A: from there, you don't get a view of the attractive wooden floor which really contributes to the design, and I think some of the staging would appear muddled and ugly unless you see the proper shapes formed from a slight height. However, even the front row would offer a pretty unrestricted view of the actors, and you would be very up close and personal with the actors (who come to the very front of the stage in certain parts), so if you are going to see one of its many stars rather than the production and design as a whole, perhaps the stalls would be a better option. If you want to get a good sense of the production and design (and a very clear, close view of the actors too) then dress circle." "D11 and 12: "La Cage Aux Folles" (October 2008), (James – regular reader). Excellent view and sound from here." "D17: "Lord of the Dance" (December 2015). Row end of central block. The rake is significant, so no chance of problems with people in front. The view was good, with the balustrade not impeding the view of the stage. Leg room was good." "F20: "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" (December 2015). Good views of the stage, but felt quite far back for my liking." "H18 and 19: "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" (December 2015). Perfect view! A little far from the stage, but then we got the full view of the show. I would have preferred to sit a little closer, but these seats are perfectly fine too!" Dress Circle Boxes Layout: The George Bernard Shaw and Marie Tempest boxes are either side of the stage at Dress Circle level. Both boxes have four seats. Legroom: Acceptable, as movable chairs are used. Choosing Seats in General: The view from all boxes is reasonable, if sideways on, with the nearside rear corner invisible. Fair value at second price, expensive at top, but worth considering for Dress Circle views with added legroom. General Hazard Notes: Seats miss action in the nearside corner of the stage. Boxes may be shared with speakers / lighting equipment. Changes for the current production: On sale, but no comments yet as the layout has changed. Updates as available. Reader Comments: None.   UPPER CIRCLE Layout: This is fairly high above the stage. The rake makes the seats from row F back seem a long way away. The circle is split into centre and two side blocks by aisles. A centre rail runs down each aisle. Legroom: Cramped in all seats. D 1 and 25 are the very worst. The balustrade effect front of the circle provides toe-space for those in row A, but even those 5 foot tall will suffer! New seats in 2013 have only increased the lack, some feel... There is a tiny space beside E to G outermost seats, but it's hard to shift into it to use it for leg room. Choosing Seats in General: Centre Block: If you are picky, aisle end rails make all aisle seats in rows B to H of the centre block are the ones to avoid, as are the three outermost end seats in the side blocks. All seats (except on the aisle ends) offer officially "clear" views of the stage. Rows A to D offer a fair view at lower prices. The monkey would choose rows B, C or D - or even E 9 to 15 first; vertigo and legroom are an inch less of a problem than in Row A. From row F back the rake makes the view uncomfortably steep for the vertigo prone - and the architecture also makes these seats feel embedded in the roof. Nostalgics will remember that Row K is a bench at the top of the theatre. When in use, if it is the same price as other seats...last choice...and arrive early to stake your claim on a bit of seat - never know if it will be invaded! Not often sold - it isn't at the moment, but was still there when the monkey last looked. Side Blocks: These are tucked snugly behind the extra high Dress Circle box walls. Rows A to C flick back to look directly at the stage. Avoid the first and last unreduced price seats in rows A to E, and also the restricted view ones (usually priced cheaper) unless you can't get other seats at the same price further back and more central. Accept other seats here only if the centre block is totally full. The corners of the Upper Circle rows H and J are often the cheapest in the house - and expensive. Luckily they are sometimes removed for lighting. Miss them if they are there, or priced the same as more central or further forward seats elsewhere. General Hazard Notes: Metal centre rails and safety bars at the ends of aisles affects the view from some seats. If sold very cheap, some may find them a bargain - but remember the view is a problem. The restriction is the balustrades and rails at the front of the balcony cutting into the view of the front third of the stage, making those near corners appear through a "grating." Steep, particularly from row F back. Not for vertigo suffers. Reader Catherine Jones actually notes: "Don’t sit in the Upper Circle if you suffer from vertigo – lean forward too far and you could end up on the stage yourself!" A reader found the step behind sticking into his back in seats in the centre of row F. For some productions, row J 7 to 13 are replaced by a spotlight position. Worth skipping J 6 and 12 right beside them, and purists may want to miss H 7 to 14 in front. Another reader opines, "Avoid the Upper Circle if possible. Most seats do not have a clear view of the stage and some, when people in front lean forward, have none. Not that the theatre is going to tell you that!" A trifle harsh, particularly in the centre block, but a reasonable point, the monkey feels. Changes for the current production: Even at bottom and next to bottom price, avoid the outer four (five in A) seats in rows A to D. The restricted view aisle seats in the centre block at the ends of B to E are worth a look, though. Third price is about fair for central B to F if you must, but you may as well take central G and save a few bananas. Indeed, singles can take the centre block aisle seat in B to F and save even more. H and J centre block are average value but a long away from the stage. May as well take row H centre block over G, though, as it's a similar view for less cash. The whole of row A except the outermost two seats is fourth price. If very short and happy to accept cramp, maybe worth taking over row G, but no recommendation for anyone over 5ft tall. Take side block seats only once centre block has gone (or if wanting an aisle seat - remembering the outer ends don't have an aisle, but do have restricted views). They all seem pretty average - G expensive - for this, feels the monkey. Reader Comments: "A13: "Fiddler on the Roof" (April 2019). Warning very high up with very steep stairs down to the seats so not for those frightened of heights. Row A has a high bar but one still feels on the edge and likely to topple down onto the seats below. The seat is sold as restricted view due to the bar. I am small so had to sit up tall to see. The front of stage was not in view but fortunately the musical takes place in the middle and back of the stage so I did not miss anything." "A23: "Fiddler on the Roof" (April 2019). I am small so had to sit up tall to see in A13. My son has A23 at the end of the row. He is taller to me so just leaned on the bar and saw everything." "B5 and 6: "Caroline or Change" (December 2018). The seats were awful in terms of legroom and comfort - and view. In addition to the acute discomfort of the seating, the experience was very frustrating as the front half of the stage was not visible due to the substantial rail across the front of the balcony. I can’t imagine the view from any of the seats on Row B in the Upper Circle are acceptable - apart perhaps from the seat next to the aisle. Awful, awful, awful! I thought you should know." "Row C: "Spamalot" (October 2013). Third row back of the upper circle - good view but VERY high - felt a bit sick before the show started!!" "C8: "La Cage Aux Folles”. Actually the view was fine, apart from when they used the extended bit of stage." "C18: "1984" (July 2016), (Sevenoaks Man). I went to see this play, having paid £19.84 for the ticket. My seat was in the Upper Circle (C18). Whilst I could see the stage, I could only see the bottom half of the screen which was above the actors on the set. Those sitting in rows behind me probably could not see the screen at all. This is a pity as it contained scenes that although not necessary vital to understanding the play, were important in the sense that they were playing whilst the actors were off the set. So if you missed them, it would have been quite annoying. Still, what do you expect for £19.84 a seat!!!" “D 5, 6, 7 and 8 for "La Cage Aux Folles" (March 2009). Hated these seats; the bar was right in the way and people were leaning over before the show had even started, completely blocking the view. We therefore moved to seats H 12, 13, 14 and 15 just before the show started and had a much more clear view of the stage. I must say though, having seen it before from Row E of the stalls, this show is just not as effective from the Upper Circle." "D9: "Spamalot" (2013). The impact of the safety bar was shocking. I spoke to the box office who moved us, somewhat begrudgingly, to F10 and F11. "F10 and 11: "Spamalot" (2013). The seats were uncomfortable and there was the structure of the step* sticking through the gap in the seat. We stayed there though as the view was much better. *= I can't think of a better way of wording it but the structure of the raked upper circle." "H13: Got for £17.25 from TKTS. Was a good seat but a little distant. Wouldn't want to pay the regular £30 for it." Notes Total 790 seats. Air-conditioned auditorium. Infra-red system covering the whole theatre. Guide dogs allowed in auditorium or dogsat. Large print information available. Wheelchair access is via foyer (cheers) Adapted unisex toilet in foyer.  Fuller details from the theatre helpline on 0844 8717 677,  www.theatre-access.co.uk or Artsline on 020 7388 2227  e-mail artsline@dircon.co.uk. 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. Four bars; basement, Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle. 7 toilets; basement 1 gents 2 cubicles, 1 ladies 3 cubicles; Foyer 1 unisex disabled; Dress Circle 1 gents 2 cubicles 1 ladies 5 cubicles; Upper Circle 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles. Readers note the poor condition of those in the stalls and the long lines in February 2008.   On 20th November 2017, it was announced that Scottish actress, singer and musical theatre star Shona White accepted an invitation to become Patron of The Playhouse Theatre. Shona White said “I am thrilled to become Patron of such an historic venue which holds a special place in my heart. I am looking forward to supporting The Playhouse as it goes from strength to strength”. As a well-established leading lady, Shona has played a number of iconic roles including Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show at The Playhouse, Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria, Éponine and Cosette in Les Misérables, Florence in Craig Revel Horwood’s Award Winning UK Tour of Chess and most recently Donna in Mamma Mia! at London’s Novello Theatre. Shona added “I feel privileged to have performed onstage at The Playhouse and as Patron I am keen to help promote the venue to ensure its future success”. Jenna Harvey, Theatre Manager, commented “The Playhouse is honoured and delighted that Shona has accepted our invitation to become Patron, it’s wonderful to have someone of her calibre on board to represent the theatre”. Shona is the theatre’s first Patron and the first Patron for an Ambassador Theatre Group venue in London.

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Nearest Underground Station: Embankment - Bakerloo Line (brown), Circle Line (yellow), District Line (green), Northern Line (black). Follow the signs from the platform to the exit into Villiers Street. On leaving the station turn left:  and walk into the covered area "Embankment Place" - it has a taxi rank and cafes on one side:    Cross to the taxi rank side of the road and keep walking: The theatre is on the corner at the end of the street, to your right: Should you choose not to turn left on exiting Embankment Underground Station,  you  will walk uphill and find a sunken entrance to Charing Cross Underground Station . This is the wrong way, so turn back!

Buses: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 24, 29, 30, 53 stop nearby.   Taxi: A rank for Black taxis is at Charing Cross Station - a fair distance from the theatre. Best chance of hailing one is in the street outside or on the Embankment.

Car Park: Spring Gardens. On leaving the car park walk into Trafalgar Square. Cross Whitehall, a busy street. Walk on and take the next turning on the right, Northumberland Avenue. The theatre is half way down this road on the other side of the road. The "Theatreland Parking Scheme" may be available. Call Q-Park car parks on 0870 442 0104 or see http://www.q-park.co.uk for details. At this car park, 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 4 hours after 12 noon, using this scheme and it is endorsed by the Society of London Theatre. For a full list of car parks and theatres that participate in the 50% off theatreland scheme see http://www.q-park.co.uk.

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