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 N 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.
"Master Class" (February 2012)
has central rows in the region of E to H at "premium" prices are totally your call, feels the
monkey, who notes that there are plenty of great seats around them at a
lower price.
In A, a reader reports for "An Ideal Husband" (November 2010),
"A9: I paid £25 through the GILT ticket offer (runs January to March
each year). I'm 6ft tall and and had excellent legroom and a fantastic
view (note: no one was sat in front of me, but I doubt it would have
been a problem if there had been). The stage is lower than other
theatres I've been to, so while you do have to look up, it isn't
uncomfortable. Overall, a wonderful seat and thoroughly deserves its
green status!"
Two rows behind them, another reader notes,
"C8 and 9: gave a super view of the stage
and were very comfortable."
Another reader agrees, saying at "The Flying Karamazov Brothers"
(June 2011),
"C8: Just about the right distance back and a great view."
Reader Hannah M says,
"I was sat in D14, a bargain at £20 on student standby an hour before
the performance. The view was excellent as you were far enough back
not to crane your neck whilst still being close."
Another reader comments,
"E11 and E12. Very good seats with a full view of the stage."
Theatremonkey regular seat connoisseur James adds,
"E11 and E12 – excellent."
Further along, reader Avril adds,
"E 15 and 16: Great seats, with an excellent view and plenty of leg
room."
Readers That Fulham Couple’ sum things up with the accurate,
"Row E: very close to the action but no neck crick."
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."
Behind that, a reader notes,
"Using an offer at the time, we paid £19 each to sit in Stalls L9 and 10
(normally £46 a seat), where legroom was perfectly adequate for someone
of height 5” 8” and the view was excellent. We thought this was an
absolute bargain for a show of this quality."
If seats in rows AY or AZ are sold cheaply - as AY is for "Master Class"
(February 2012) - the monkey rates them highly, as
does a reader, with a low stage, "a steal" at the price. Be aware that with a
higher and shaped stage, the view is slightly less.
For "In A Forest, Dark and Deep" in 2011 reader Taljaard reports,
"I bought a day seat for £10 and was on the front row. As the theatre
has one of the lowest stages in the West End this was a fantastic
bargain."
Also at 'In A Forest Dark and Deep' reader Beth adds,
"We got day seats which were £10 and front row. They were brilliant
views as the stage is very low, I don't think you could have asked for
better seats. Comfortable seats with loads of leg room and a low stage.
All excellent. However the play is quite an uncomfortable one and you
are very close to the actors, they feel on top of you at some points -
so beware if you are easily embarrassed!!"
Reader Thomas raises a common problem in this row, that he
happened to observe during a performance of "Private Lives" in (January
2010),
"We sat at first row, AY 3 and 4. First half was bit sore neck as its a
balcony scene, and the stage was built-out. In the middle of the stage
was a plant pot, so I wouldn't advise getting centre row seat as it's
right in front of you. Second half was perfect as they used the whole
stage and our seat is basically the best in the house I reckon.
Comfortable viewing till the end."
Set designers sometimes have a lot to answer for, feels the monkey...
At "Piaf" (October 2008) one reader says,
"row AY seats 1 to 3. It was great to be so close and be part of the
action."
Another reader comments, also for
"Piaf" (October 2008),
"I sat in the second row AZ - it was close but not too close, e.g. I didn't get
a sore neck!"
For "Little Voice" (October 2009) a reader says,
"AY6: Great value at £15. You miss some little bits of the action which
take place in the "upstairs" of the house, but really only 10 minutes of
the whole play take place up there, and most of it you can still see."
In row N, reader Mark says of "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" (June
2010),
"N11 - Got for £12 through the Old Vic Young Persons' offer. Very good
seat, although would obviously go for further forward if paying full
price."
Row P at second price for "Master Class" (February 2012), is
also worth a look; while the back two 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.
Wheelchair users can use a stair climber to access a space made if S
8 to 11 is removed. Not a bad view at all - way better than the boxes
alternative, in the monkey opinion. See notes
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 Beth reports,
"A2 and 3: They were absolutely brilliant seats, plenty of leg room
(as I'm only 5ft 5) and
amazing view of the stage. I would say beware of A1 though, no one was
sitting there at my performance, but it would definitely be quite a
restricted view."
Reader Alan notes,
"Row B12/13 seats, afforded us an excellent view of the whole stage."
One reader felt for "Little Voice" (October 2009) though,
"C9 - Had a very good view of the stage BUT if I was shorter (I'm 6ft 1,
so maybe for people 5ft 8 or below) I might have struggled to see,
because there was quite a tall guy in front of me and his head was
directly where LV stands for the start of her performance, I missed just
the bottom of her legs but you would miss more if you were shorter."
Not something the monkey noticed, so further observations are
welcome. Contact Us.
A row behind for "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" (July 2010) a reader
says,
"D7: A good central seat, but I would rather be in the front half of the
stalls, just to feel that bit closer to the stage."
In the same row at "Swallows and Amazons" (December 2011) another
reader comments,
"D16 and 17: Our tickets cost £35 each through the Get Into London
Theatre ticket promotion. I'm 6ft tall and felt I had comfortable leg
room in D17. We only had children sat in front of us which give us a
lovely and unobstructed view of the entire stage (apart from the few
occasions the children stood up to better see the actors as they went
among the audience but we didn't care about that because the show was so
very good). Having now sat in both the Dress Circle and the Stalls of
the Vaudeville I would prefer the central Stalls at the same price for
the extra legroom and to feel closer to the action."
Rows F to K are less good value at top price -
take stalls instead.
In G a reader says,
"I sat in G8 in the Dress Circle, which did feel a long way from the
stage, but the sightlines are good, and I had a £15 bargain ticket, so I
was happy with this."
Theatremonkey prefers the rear stalls to rear circle for the same money on
grounds of view and legroom. If rows J
and K are not cheaper,
the monkey would take them second if stalls are available for view and
comfort.
Rows A and B seats 1 and 19, plus G 19 are designated restricted view due to being
outside the picture frame opening. Row G seat 19 is squarely behind a pillar.
All three are often discounted as leaning is required. For "Master Class"
(February 2012) only G19 is. The value for money is not outstanding,
but as a way of seeing a sold out performance this monkey cannot do better. The
taller may wish to avoid the seats at the end of row A, though.
Legroom is slightly cramped in all rows, worst in row A (one reader found it
fine, though, for somebody of 5ft 5) 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. The
stalls alternative is better. 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.
Reader Annie Gross says,
"We were in Box C, sideways view, but for the play we saw it was an
excellent view. Most of the action took place centre stage, so the box was ideal
for comfort and view." A second visit to another production
confirmed her feeling about it being her favourite box in this theatre.
Reader Mark adds, for "An Ideal Husband" (December 2010),
"Got £10 day seats in box C, view very good and missed nothing."
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. Those in row B used to lose some view of the stage / have lean
forward thanks to a bar in the way - with a reduction proportional to that. New
blocks under the seats should make a difference. If sitting there and having to
lean, 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...
A reader says, for "In A Forest Dark And Deep" (March 2011),
"A16: Was alright, if a bit restricted due to the bar. However at least
the bar was not directly cutting through the stage as it would the rest
of the front row. It kind of raises higher, and with some good head
tilting you can see the whole stage clearly through this gap."
Rows H and J feel far from the stage, but are priced accordingly.
For "The Prisoner Of Second Avenue" (June 2010), reader Taljaard
says,
"J9: Felt a bit distant, but could hear every word."
Legroom is poor in all rows, worst in rows A and B.
Notes
Total 700 seats.
Air-conditioned auditorium.
No hearing aid loop. An ATT Major stair climber is available take wheelchair
users down to the stalls, where space can be made replacing seats S 8 to 11.
Please arrive at least 45 minutes before the show to use this equipment.
Alternatively there is 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 on site - there is an arrangement to share the one
nearby in the Adelphi Theatre. 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.
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; 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.
|
