Royal Court Theatre Downstairs

Adequate in all seats.

Maximum legroom is in row K and seats B4 and 18 and M 11, with nothing in front.

M12 is also almost clear of anything in front. C 4 and 19 have 30% of the seat width clear in front, D 3 and 19 around 5% clear.

Arm-rests can be raised to provide wider seating - though two tickets must be bought if doing so. If you bought the whole of row M, you could have the world's largest theatre sofa by doing this, the monkey notes.

Rows AA and BB an be inserted in front of row A if a stage extension is not required.

Normally, the pricing policy puts the front three rows (five when AA and BB are in use), and the last two rows at a lower price. The rest are all top price.

The front row - A, B, AA or BB is confirmed during previews, and the monkey posts details when available. All these are always very cheap, even if you do have to look up. Worth thinking about, feels the monkey.

Of the cheap front 2 or 4 rows, the monkey would go for the furthest row back possible, if trying to avoid any potential neck ache. Anything further forward is an excellent second choice, though, it feels – and don’t worry about taking the front row. The box office will warn / not sell seats that are too uncomfortable.

The two first and last seats from row B back are outside the proscenium with the edges of the stage not visible. At top price, avoid.

Prime seats are in the centre of rows from E back.

Wheelchair spaces behind row J seats 11 and 12 offer a perfect view. Two more spaces at the ends of K. Take J first, then K but both are fine.

At second price, the back two rows are excellent value if the similarly priced front ones don’t appeal. The rake is good enough to provide clear views (accepting the top of the stage is not visible), and the theatre is intimate enough to feel close to the stage. A meaner ape than Theatremonkey would quibble with the prices for these seats in the rear of the theatre.

The stage can be high and have a strange configuration that affects sightlines in front rows.

The Afronauts
Row A is fourth price and worth having before anything else.

Only the centre of rows E to G are top price. Take as central as you can, F7 to 15, E8 to 15, G8 to 15 in that order.

Save bananas by taking D7 to 15 first at second price, or H4 to 18, J5 to 18 or if you like legroom K 8 to 15.

It is worth trying to avoid the outermost 2 seats in B, 3 in C to F and third seat in on row G, though, as the proscenium arch does cut off the sides of the stage a bit.

Third price gets rows B, L or M. Monkey would go B first, M11 and 12 next. Any seat at the price beats upper circle for the same bananas on view and comfort.

Man to Man
Rows AA and BB are fourth price. They warn that the stage is high, but the monkey still thinks these are usually worth grabbing. It will update as available.

Row A is third price and also worth having before anything else. Could even be better than the two rows in front if the stage is high and you are willing to pay a bit more to avoid neck-ache.

At the same bananas, then take L or M. M11 and 12 first. Any seat at the price beats upper circle for the same bananas on view and comfort.

Then take row B at second price, except the outermost pairs, where the proscenium arch cuts off the sides of the stage. You will do fine in K8 to 15 as well, and gain legroom for the same cash.

Rows C back to J are mostly top price. Take as central as you can, F7 to 15, E8 to 15, G8 to 15 in that order. Skip G18 where the proscenium arch can affect the view at top price.

The end pairs in D to J, and singles on C are cheaper second price - again due to the arch cutting off the sides of the stage. Skip these second price ones in C to F. You should be fairly satisfied in G back for the price, even if you do miss a little.

“Row AA: "Love, Love, Love" (May 2012), (Iain). Excellent.”

“AA15 and 16: “John Proctor Is the Villain” (March 2026), (Broadway John). There was a tremendous amount of legroom. The stage wasn't too high, but for this production the school room desks at the front of the stage frequently blocked my view of the cast.”

"Row BB: "The Heretic" (February 2011), (Iain Campbell). At £10 each we had a great view - AA is even better. Seats are leather, and very comfortable."

"Row BB: (James). We had cheaper seats - front row - and had a great view. Not too bad on the neck strain and comfortable leather-look seating with arm rests. Fantastic for £12."

"A13: "X" (March 2016). Good seat for a lower price. There is a need to look up, but only a bit and the action is close. The only issue is a table in the centre of the set which from this seat gets in the way for a few pieces of action that take place at the back of the set."

"C10: "X" (April 2016) – Small but lovely theatre, this seat is pretty central and close to the stage. It does require you to look up, but I didn’t miss anything as the stage isn’t too high here!"

"C12: "Guess How Much I Love You" (February 2026). Maybe my new favourite seat anywhere, lovely distance from the stage, the offset row in front and the stage height means the view will be good, it's nice and central."

"D11 and 12: "Clynbourne Park" (August 2010), (That Fulham Couple – regular readers). Comfortable; however, for this production we recommend sitting a few rows further back."

"E20: "Hope" (December 2014). Oh, how I love the Royal Court's £10 Mondays, though this would be a good seat at full price. Very comfortable too. As ever with an aisle seat, you'll miss some of the action at the extreme left of the stage, but for this production that's not really an issue. Some of the actors occasionally deliver their lines standing/sitting on the very edge of the stage, so being that close was great. (Note to the Monkey: what is with the lighting at the Royal Court? Lady in front of me dropped her glasses and even with the help of the guy next to her (who activated a torch function on his mobile phone) couldn't find them. Luckily they'd skittered against my foot so I was able to hand them back. We all had a laugh, though, that Hope is about an age of austerity cuts and it appeared the RC had implemented a similar policy on their auditorium lighting!) "

"F5 and 6: "Clybourne Park," (September 2010). No problems, close enough to see facial expressions but far enough back to see the whole stage easily."

"F18: "Deaf Republic" (September 2025). This seat is in line with the house-left wall of the stage, so you are OK with anything against that wall. Be aware though that because you are looking mostly to the centre of the stage, the seat offset and poor rake means that you'll be potentially looking at the head on the seat in front and to the right. I'll choose elsewhere next time. Comfortable, though."

"G13: "Manhunt" (April 2025). The seats in front are staggered but you'll still have some issues either side of centre. For "Manhunt," some action takes place low and on the floor which needed some moving around, though nothing terrible. I think I'd watch this from row A if I was going again."

"H12 and H13: “Now or Later” (October 2008), (James – regular reader). Staggered seats and a fair rake ensured a good view."

"K12: "Bluets" (May 2024), (Taljaard). Fantastic seat. An aisle in front so masses of leg room."

"M9: "The Cane" (December 2018). (back row) This row could feel a little claustrophobic as there is a solid wall both behind and at the sides and a low ceiling while lighting is very dim indeed. I could see well as the theatre isn’t large and is raked but the leather style seats were hard and uncomfortable but with plenty of room to stretch my legs fully."

Poor in all seats for the tallest, worst in row A, particularly if tall. If fit and up to 5ft 7, you should be fairly comfortable in all seats.

Slip seats 1 and 16 allow a little space to move a leg sideways, the monkey noted.

Like the Stalls, seats are fairly priced for view.

Seats A 3, 4, 19 and 20 are discounted to account for the high rails in front. The front stalls are preferable for view at the same price.

Elsewhere, central seats in rows A to C have a decent view. Go as central as possible, is the monkey advice. In particular skip C4 and 19, previously second price but now top.

Outer seats, even at second price, are less of a bargain – again, there are decent stalls for the same price.

Central row E is cheaper than row D in front of it (Tuesday to Saturday), for similar views... the monkey would take central row E first and save a few pounds.

Wheelchair space at row D2. Make your choice according to personal preference. Theatremonkey likes the stalls better, but the view is probably equal.

A row of seats runs from the front of the circle down either side of the theatre to form slips. Seats here offer a sideways view of the stage - and have no arm-rests. The restricted view is fairly priced. Be aware that they are the same price as outermost upper circle seats. Upper circle seats have a forward-facing view, and the aisle seat will allow you to move a leg sideways. Your call, feels the monkey, who would take the slips first if the one closest to the main circle is going, then look at the upper circle aisle seats itself, as it likes an aisle and front view if possible.

Behind them are eight restricted view standing positions. At just ten pence each these are a total bargain – and don’t forget your arrows... viewing is through fairly wide “archer slits.” Tum-te-tum-te-tum-te-tum thinks the monkey... The best standing places are the ones furthest from the stage, arrive early to nab them. The closer you get to the stage, the very much lesser the view.

The ends of each row have an angled view of the stage.

Metal bar runs across the front of the circle, and is double height in front of seats A 3, 4, 19 and 20.

Slip seats and standing places have a severely restricted view of the stage.

The Afronauts
Central rows A to C are top price. Stalls have more legroom, but take them if you wish. You can go for the two seats next to the them at second price too. In both cases, select A to C according to taste in legroom (B and C have a little more).

If you can, though, skip central C, as third price D has the same view as C, cheaper.

Row C 4, 19 and 3 are worth it at third price to be a bit forward. E8 to 15 are also decent for the bananas.

At fourth price, the pairs on the ends of D and E are about fair value, B and C too, if you don’t mind losing a little of the stage.

Slips are also fourth price. The monkey would probably take slips 6 to 11 for the best angle on the stage, but all are fair value at least.

Man To Man
Central rows A to C are top price. Stalls have more legroom, but take them if you wish. The usual second price seats are gone, so do go as central as possible. Select A to C according to taste in legroom (B and C have a little more).

If you can, though, skip central C, as third price D has the same view as C, cheaper.

Row C 4, 19 and 3 are worth it at third price to be a bit forward. E8 to 15 are also decent for the bananas.

At fourth price, the pairs on the ends of D and E are about fair value, B and C too, if you don’t mind losing a little of the stage. You can have far better stalls rows AA and BB at the same bananas, though.

Slips are also fourth price. The monkey would probably take slips 6 to 11 for the best angle on the stage, but all are fair value at least, if you cannot get stalls rows AA and BB.

"A8: "The Unbelievers" (September 2025). Fab seat. Almost in the middle. I think the RC website indicates limited legroom but at 5'8" I was fine. If you sit back there's a lighting bar that maybe takes up the tiniest part of the stage at the front but this won't be any issue."

“D2: “Black Superhero” (March 2023), (Broadway John). The overhang blocked a little of the view. Heads a bit in the way. Had to move a lot to see around them. Handicapped toilet just out the door. On the main level, stalls downstairs.”

"B14 and 15: "Let the Right One In." Lovely little theatre. Our seats gave us an amazing view of the stage. really comfortable seating with plenty of legroom."

"C18 to 21: "Get Santa!" (December 2010), (Clive). Generally a good view with definitely no feeling of remoteness. However the very left of the stage is obscured in C20 and especially in C21. Legroom is adequate but no better."

“D19 and 20: “Giant” (October 2024), ), (Broadway John). Missed a little bit of the left side of the stage but not a big deal.”

"Circle slips seat 9: "Linda" (November 2015). £15. First seat in row of slip seats ..... Flip down seats, quite narrow with no armrests. Limited legroom (but I'm only 5' 5" so fine for me)..... But plenty of room behind the seat to store bags/coat etc. only three people in the nine slip seats, so could sit sideways and had good view of a cleverly designed revolving set. You do lose about 15% of the left side of the stage, but it didn't really matter apart from one pivotal moment when a character came onto that blind spot of the stage and I didn't realise they had!" 

Poor in all seats, worst in row A. Row B has an inch or so more than the rest. Those up to 5ft 6 or so should be fairly comfortable here, but these seats are not for those more than 5ft 10, the monkey feels.

The view from central seats is clear, poor for the first and last four in each row - which are priced to allow for this.

Choose central row B first, then C at second price. Go a row back rather than outwards, to take central seats first. B18 is the one that hovers most in the "least good for the price" category, the monkey feels.

Row A can be a bargain (to those willing to risk their circulation) when sold at restricted view prices - otherwise avoid.

The worst restricted views normally occur when either the front of the stage is extended forward or, more commonly, if staging doesn’t account for the double height bars which run across the front of the circle.

At third price, the outermost seats in all rows are now the same price as dress circle slips. The monkey likes the forward facing view in the upper circle, and would take the outermost aisle seat for a bit of extra space beside it. Before booking one, though, it would check if dress circle slip 11 or 12 are available, just for closeness to the stage. Not a recommendation, though, just it's thought on the subject.

The monkey would honestly advise finding the extra bananas if possible to sit in the stalls, especially if taller.

Double bars run across the front of the circle, singles between each row.

Outermost seats lose views of the stage front to the curve of the circle.

Some people find the centres of the long rows claustrophobic.

Row C has no arm-rests.

The Afronauts
Row A 5 to 17 has been promoted to third price. Unless short enough to accept the legroom and tall enough to see over the front of the circle, skip it. You can go in the front stalls row B or rear stalls (M11 and 12 for nothing in front if you are short) and be more comfortable as well.

The rest of the seats up here are fourth price. B18 is cramped, and skip 8 and 16 too as you can sit in the next seat along for fewer bananas.

Remember, you can have stalls rows AA, BB and A before these, the monkey would, and would probably take dress circle slips 6 to 11 over these as well for being closer if nothing else.

Man to Man
Row A 7 to 15 are second price, 5, 6, 16 and 17 are third price. Unless short enough to accept the legroom and tall enough to see over the front of the circle, skip them. You can go in the front stalls row B, up the sides of the front stalls C to J, or rear stalls row K and be more comfortable as well.

Row B8 to 16 also hits third price. Again, you can have row A stalls or L and M down there - take M11 and 12 for nothing in front if you are short. Way better.

The rest of the seats up here are fourth price. B18 is cramped, and skip 8 and 16 too as you can sit in the next seat along for fewer bananas.

At fourth price, the monkey would probably take dress circle slips 6 to 11 over these as well for being closer if nothing else.

"A20: "Escaped Alone" (January 2016). The leg room is limited – knees well up against the front of the balcony. The seat is sold as restricted view. However, this depends on the show. For some with much action to the stage sides, this could be an issue, but for this show the action took place centrally, so the view missed nothing. At the price this was good."

"C13: "Birthday" (July 2012), (Taljaard – regular reader). A very good view and was not very distant from the stage at all."