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

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE



THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES (play)
NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR THE EASILY OFFENDED. CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE.

Famous feminist writer has a deadline - and serious "writer's block." As a young fan, family and friends show up unannounced, her life, work and mothering instinct all are up for public debate.

Eileen Atkins leads the cast in a new play by Joanna Murray-Smith, directed by Roger Michell.


 
Theatremonkey Opinion:

Another production that manages to bypass expected outlets like the Royal Court or National Theatre, coming straight to the West End to provide something fresh in the commercial sector.

A blocked writer becomes seriously tied up - literally - when a fan comes to call. Anna Maxwell Martin half-jokes her way through tormenting Eileen Atkins as this new play unfolds. Not really a comedy or farce, yet with the stage appeal of both, we get a swift reminder that those who commentate on the human condition may not be the best qualified to do so.

Maybe the taxi-driver is tacked on to provide contrast a little to obviously, and perhaps there is more space for argument than is actually produced. Still, a real change and a treat for London. Go see... unless your name is Greer...

 

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

 

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.

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

Runs 1 hour 40 minutes approximately.

 

Ticket Prices:

Offers May be available - Click Here

View this information in diagram form

Stalls
Rows AZ to O: £47.50
Rows P to S: £42.50
 

Dress Circle
Rows A to H (except A19 and G19): £47.50
Rows J and K: £42.50
Seats A19 and G19 (restricted view): £27.50

Upper Circle
Rows A to F: £35
Rows G to J: £27.50

Boxes £42.50 per ticket

Stalls "Day Seats:" Row AY, the front row, is sold on the day at 10am to personal callers at the box office ONLY. Tickets are priced at £15 each, and may be limited to a maximum of two per person, depending on demand. Take both cash and cards as the box office may require a specific payment method to be used.

 

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:
Shared between two companies at this venue
www.nimaxtheatres.com or www.seetickets.com

Booking fees per ticket for online bookings:
With See Tickets: £4.75 on £47.50 seats, £4.25 on £42.50, £3.50 on £35 tickets, £2.75 on £27.50 seats. Pays for the books, thinks the monkey.

With Keith Prowse Ticketing / Nimax Theatres Online: £2 per ticket booking fee on all prices except £1.50 on £27.50 seats.

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

When the box office does not have what you require, the Theatremonkey Ticketshop offers an extra selection of top price £47.50 seats with a £4.75 per ticket booking fee. Slightly higher than the box office, but lower than most agencies. Worth checking if the box office cannot provide the exact tickets you might require. Simply select the show from the "drop down" menu in the centre of the page. Note that this system will confirm exact seat numbers prior to purchase.

Another alternative is Ticketmaster.co.uk who offer £47.50 seats with a £2.85 per ticket booking fee (£2.55 on £42.50, £2.10 on £35, £1.65 on £27.50 tickets), plus £2.25 per booking (not per ticket) handling charge.

Encore Tickets offer £47.50 seats with a £12 booking fee per ticket (£10.50 on £42.50 seats) - plus optional UK postage of £1 per booking, not per ticket, available if time allows. Discounts and "Meal and Show" packages may also be available. Quality and Value hotel / theatre ticket packages are also available.

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:
Shared between two companies at this venue
Telephone: 0870 830 0200
(020 7087 7500 if you cannot use the 0870 number)
Operated by See Tickets on behalf of the venue.

OR
Telephone:  0870 040 0084
Operated by Keith Prowse Tickets on behalf of the venue.

Booking fees per ticket for telephone bookings:
With See Tickets: £4.75 on £47.50 seats, £4.25 on £42.50, £3.50 on £35 tickets, £2.75 on £27.50 seats. Pays for the books, thinks the monkey.

With Keith Prowse Ticketing / Nimax Theatres Online: £2 per ticket booking fee on all prices except £1.50 on £27.50 seats.

For personal callers or by post: Strand, London. WC2R 0NH
No booking fee for personal callers.

Special Access Needs Customers:
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats on 020 7087 7960 or 0870 895 5505 (Minicom 020 7087 7839) and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them. The wheelchair users line connects directly to the See Theatres phoneroom helpdesk in London. See Notes.

 

 
 
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 J making the top of the stage invisible from row M back.

The first and last two seats in rows A to G should be chosen last among the top priced stalls as they are outside the proscenium and have a slightly restricted view of the edges of the stage. 

Rows A to J are prime value for money. At top price rows K to L are a little overpriced, you could sit further forward for the money. The rake however means the view is at least clear, and the theatre, being small, encourages an intimate feeling between stage and audience from all seats.

One reader comments,
"Stalls seats J6 and J7 were perfect: excellent view, just the right distance from the stage."

Reader Daf says,
"We were in the stalls K3 and 4 and were more than happy and could see most of the action."

For "The Female of the Species," (July 2008), seats in row AY is sold cheaply. If so, then for the money, the monkey rates them highly, though be aware set items could be in the way. A reader in fact rates them, with a low stage, "a steal" at the price. For "Female of the Species," though,
"Just thought I’d warn you and the monkey readers that for this play they’ve added an extra stage so it juts right out into the front row - hence the heavy discount, I presume, at £15… I had a neck-ache after as it’s 1 hour 40 straight of looking up and although we had lots of legroom that stage coming out into us made it feel slightly oppressive… my friend has been there before where the stage from front row was perfect… low and back and not so for this play…"

Row P, at second price is also worth a look, while the back three rows offer fair value for money allowing for the overhang of the circle affecting the view. May be more comfortable than seats in the Upper Circle for the tall too - worth a few extra pounds, the monkey feels.

Pillars at the sides of the auditorium around row N add a claustrophobic effect but do not especially interfere with the view. It is worth avoiding the ends of the row though, just to get maximum value for money. 

Legroom is good in all seats.

 

 

DRESS CIRCLE 
The Upper Circle overhangs the Dress Circle at row C, affecting the view of the top of the stage from row F back.

The front of the Dress Circle is enclosed behind what this monkey calls a wide picture frame. The depth of the frame causes the front of the stage to be invisible for those sitting in row C. Legroom is also a little less in row C, though better designed seating has helped this situation.

The 'frame' also affects the view from seats 1, 2, 18 and 19 in all rows. Pillars at the ends of row F add to the woes of these seat numbers from row G back.

Rows A, B, C, D and E, seats 3 to 17 offer the clearest view of the stage. Seats here are fair value for money.

Reader Alan notes,
"Row B12/13 seats, afforded us an excellent view of the whole stage."

Rows F to H are less good value at top price take stalls instead.

Theatremonkey prefers the rear stalls to rows J and K for the same money on grounds of view and legroom. Out of this pair, row J 3 to 17 the monkey feels hovers at 'just about average' at the price.

Rows A and B seats 1 and 19 are designated restricted view due to being outside the picture frame opening. Row G seat 19 is squarely behind a pillar - it is discounted as leaning is required. The value for money is not outstanding, but as a way of seeing a sold out performance this monkey cannot do better. A19 is also discounted due to the lean - but is not as comfortable.

Legroom is slightly cramped in all rows, worst in row A and noticeable less in row C.

 

 

Dress Circle Boxes
A, B, C and D are in pairs either side of the theatre between stage and Dress Circle at Dress Circle level. Box C can take two wheelchair transferees. See notes.

Boxes A and C seat 3, boxes B and D seat 4.

All boxes offer a clear but sideways view of the stage with an eighth of the edge of the stage not visible. At second price value is moderate and those who find Dress Circle legroom tight should consider these seats after the stalls are full.

 

UPPER CIRCLE
This feels further from the stage than the monkey expects for such a small theatre.

Like the Dress Circle the first and last two seats in each row suffer a poor view of the stage.

In all rows seats 4 to 16 offer the clearest view of the stage. These seats are priced to provide exactly fair value - you get the view you pay for in each case. Seats in the rear stalls at the same price may be a little more comfortable for the taller, though. Remember that those in row B will lose some view of the stage / have lean forward thanks to a bar in the way - and the reduction is proportional to that. If sitting there, consider those in row C behind and try not to upset their view. The monkey would take row F last, perhaps, as for less money you could sit a row behind (in G) and get roughly the same view - but that is just as an aside thought really...

Rows H and J feel far from the stage, but are priced accordingly.

Legroom is poor in all rows, worst in rows A and B.

 

Notes
Total 700 seats.

Air-conditioned auditorium.

No hearing aid loop. Space for manual wheelchairs in Dress Circle boxes - but users do have to negotiate a (sometimes filthy) alleyway and two steps to get there. No adapted toilet either. Guide dogs can stay in the theatre and watch the show though. Fuller Details from www.theatre-access.co.uk, or Artsline 020 7388 2227, artsline@dircon.co.uk.

No food except Ice cream and confectionery.

Three bars; Foyer, Dress Circle and Upper Circle.

5 Toilets; Stalls 1 gents no cubicles, 1 ladies 6 cubicles; Dress Circle 1 gents 2 cubicles; Upper Circle 1 gents 1 cubicle, 1 ladies 2 cubicles.

American visitors in particular should note that this theatre does not actually stage vaudeville acts, despite its name. It is known for plays. The name came from a long previous incarnation. 

Since Theatremonkey has the privilege of owning the site he wants to record that he finds the staff in this theatre are among friendliest in the West End. For encouraging this young monkey as a teenager by putting the best value tickets his way, and making him feel at home in the auditorium, thank you all.

 

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:
Charing Cross - Bakerloo (brown) and Northern (black) lines. Also Main rail network terminus.

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.


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

Leave the station by following signs from the platforms to the STRAND street exits. Walk straight ahead into the underground shopping arcade and keep going straight on into the light. If, underground, you pass Davenports Magic shop, turn around and walk the other way.

Take the left-hand staircase up to street level. In front of you is a very busy road, the Strand. Brook Street Employment Agency must be on your right as you face the road.

If you see a sidestreet, with Brook Street Employment Agency on your left, turn around and walk towards the busy road instead - you took the wrong stairs.

Turn to your right and walk past Brook Street Employment Agency, keep walking towards the pedestrian crossing. The theatre is on the other side of the road, past the Adelphi Theatre. The neon sign above the door, showing the play title is clearly visible as you walk.

If you pass the main station and see a large space full of taxis, you are going the wrong way. Turn around and head for Brook Street Employment Agency.

 

Buses:
6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 30, 77A, 176. All stop outside the theatre.

 

Car Park:
Trafalgar Square Spring Gardens.

From the car park, turn up the road on the left to bring you on to Trafalgar Square. Face Nelson's Column and turn to your right. Cross Whitehall and Northumberland Avenue (you'll pass a branch of Tesco and a bookshop), and walk on towards Charing Cross Station, passing more shops on the way.

Once past Charing Cross station forecourt, cross at the next pedestrian crossing. The theatre is on the other side of the road, past the Adelphi Theatre. The neon sign above the door, showing the play title is clearly visible as you walk.

The "Theatreland Parking Scheme" may be available. Call Westminster City Council car parks on 0800 243 348 or see www.westminster.gov.uk/carparks 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 72 hours using this scheme and it is endorsed by the Society of London Theatre.

For a full list of car parks that participate in the 50% off theatreland scheme here see www.westminster.gov.uk/carparks/theatreland.cfm, and for a full list of theatres that participate in the scheme see www.westminster.gov.uk/carparks/theatres.cfm.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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