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London Theater Seating Plan Guide

London Theatre district, commonly referred to as Theatreland or West End, attracts tourists and locals alike with its generous offering of no less than 40 theatres and fabulous shows. The London theatre district, defined by The Strand to the South, Oxford Street to the North, Regent Street to the west, and Kingsway to the East, is exemplary of a typical London street — neon signs, brightly reflected in the small puddles on the street, flashy billboards announcing the shows’ name and time, and gourmet restaurants to serve the hurrying theatre-goers. If you are planning to catch a London theatre show, our London Theatre Seating Guide will tell you everything you must know before choosing the perfect seat.

London Theatre Seating Plan Guide

The seating arrangements in most London theatres are typically divided into 6 sections - each section with a different view, price, and certain pros and cons. Now let’s look at these theatre sections in more detail. 

London  Theatre Seating Plan

Stalls

Just like the Orchestra in other theatres, the Stalls section is closest to the stage. They are on ground, which means they are the front-row seats. No wonder they are the most expensive given they provide a great view. However, those located along the aisle and on the sides are relatively cheaper. The only time you may have a restricted view in the Stalls is if the Circle overhangs, but this generally covers only the top of the stage which is rarely seen. To get the best deal, reserve a seat in rows 6-8 in the stalls as they offer the best views.

London  Theatre Seating Plan

Royal Circle

The Dress Circle, also known as the Royal Circle is the next tier of seating above the Stalls. The view from here is especially sought after but it’s not recommended for tall people, as legroom could be an issue, particularly in older theatres, such as the theatre Royal and Drury Lane. The seats in the middle section usually have the best views of the stage. The Dress Circle is sometimes called the Royal Circle, depending on the theatre. The Dress Circle is a very popular seating choice among theatre lovers as it combines beautiful views with affordable prices.

London  Theatre Seating Plan

Upper or Grand Circle

The Upper or Grand Circle is the second raised section of a theatre located above and behind the Royal Circle. They are located considerably far from the stage and hence, highly affordable. Depending on the layout of the theatre, you can manage to catch a remarkable view from the high-up position of your seat. This makes for a tempting combo — cheap seats with a good view. If you’re looking for a budget experience and want to choose between the front seats of Upper Circle and the last rows of Royal Circle, go for the first few rows of Upper Circle.

London  Theatre Seating Plan

Balcony

Some London theatres with a large capacity, such as the Coliseum Theatre, have an additional section called the Balcony or Gallery, which is right above the Upper Circle. This is generally the smallest section and the highest from the stage, as in the London Coliseum Balcony case. Balcony seats are the cheapest given their distance from the stage. The safety bars can sometimes obstruct the view from these seats, especially if they were retrofitted to an old theatre. Moreover, there's sometimes a legroom issue, so tall people should avoid sitting here.

How to Choose the Best Seats in London Theatres? 

Views 

Reserving a seat in the Circle is the best option as they offer a panoramic view of the stage. More specifically, the first five to ten rows almost always present some of the best views in the house. The Stalls also offer great views, but looking up at the stage throughout may leave you with neck pain. However, people who want to be closer to the action and feel like a part of the show prefer these seats. 

Prices

The best deal is to book seats in the Royal Circle as they offer excellent views at affordable prices. However, if you are on a budget, you should go for the Upper Circle seats, particularly the first few rows of Upper Circle, as they are high up and provide some great views.

Availability 

You can buy your tickets at any half-price ticket booths scattered throughout the London theatre district. TKTS, located on the south side of Leicester Square, is the most reputable stand and a great place to find last-minute deals. You can also check for last-minute deals on theatre apps and websites like Headout and Stubhub. However, if you want to sit in the Boxes section, reserve your seat in advance.

Legroom

Since most London theatres were built in the late 19th or early 20th century, the seats are often narrow with scarce legroom. Thus, tall people should avoid booking seats in the Dress Circle and Balcony. For ample legroom, choose an aisle seat so you can spread your legs. Catching a weekday matinee show is also suggested as the theatres would be less crowded.

Nature of Show - Play/Musical 

When booking tickets for a play, you should ideally choose the front-row seats in the Stalls section, as plays are intimate and character-driven. On the contrary, the best seats to choose when watching a musical are the ones in the Dress Circle due to the panoramic view they offer.

With Kids/Without Kids

If you are taking children to a show, sitting in the Circle is a great choice as the seats usually have a steep rake, meaning that people’s heads in the rows in front will not generally block their views, and as the whole section is raised, they will have a great view of the stage.

Finding The Best Seats in West End Theatres

Best Seats for a London Theatre Musical

The Dress Circle seats are the best when attending a musical because you will have the entire ensemble in full view. The production is planned in a way that allows the complete utilization of the stage and the performers also move around quite a bit. However, if sitting comfortably in the theatre is your biggest factor in choosing the right seats, Stalls have excellent legroom. But the con in choosing the Stalls seats is that it may be difficult to avoid taller audience members who sit in front of you. Thus, a Dress Circle seat for a London Theatre musical is recommended due to the view coupled with the price.

Best Seats for a West End Play

Unlike musicals, plays are intimate and the main focus is on the characters rather than the setting and other surrounding factors. Naturally, seats that work great for a musical wouldn't have the same effect for a play. You can choose the first couple of rows in the Stalls section. Being quite close to the stage, these front-row seats allow you to immerse yourself in the actors' performance and make you feel like you are part of the play. Furthermore, you don't have to worry about missing any of the action, which is an important aspect to consider for musicals.

Which London Theatre Seats Offer The Best View?

In a majority of the theatres, the Stalls and Dress Circle sections are considered to have the best seats. In Stalls, rows 6-8 provide the best view. However, every theatre is different and the number of rows may vary slightly. This would not make a huge difference but it is advisable you check the theatre seating plan before booking your tickets. Let’s look at the seating sections that fit the criteria below:

  • Value For Money Section - This is the section where you can find seats that are great value for money. The ones that fall into this category are the late-middle rows in the Stalls, the middle rows in the Mezzanine, and the first couple of rows in the balcony.
  • Best Legroom Seats - Legroom is a recurring issue and this lack of space could be a painful experience. Stalls provide excellent legroom in London Theatres. Also, aisle seats and front-row seats in any section are good choices.
  • Best Views of The Stage - Although this depends on a number of factors such as the kind of show, whether it is a play or musical, and the theatre itself, generally, the middle-row seats in the Stalls and the front Mezzanine seats offer the best views of the stage.
  • Premium Seats - These seats can be found exclusively when booking tickets. This is because premium seats vary from theatre to theatre as the theatre chooses which seats to be marked premium. They offer the best views and are the most expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions About London Theatre Seating Plans

What are the best seats in the London Theatre?

Generally, Dress Circle or Stalls seats are preferred. However, every theatre in the London Theatre district is different, and choosing a seat also depends on whether you are watching a musical or play.

Which seats are the cheapest in the London Theatre?

The cheapest tickets can always be found in the Upper Circle (Second Mezzanine). However, many theatregoers have noted that these seats are great value for money.

Which are the most expensive seats in London Theatre?

Seats in the Stalls sections are the most expensive given their closeness to the stage. Stalls seats also come with excellent legroom.

Is it better to sit in the Stalls or the Dress Circle?

Rows 6-8 in the Stalls section are generally considered to offer the best views. The Dress Circle is the next tier of seating above the Stalls. Depending on your budget and availability, you can choose between the Stalls and Dress Circle seats.

What are premium seats?

Premium seats are the ones chosen by the theatre as the best seats. Evidently, they are the most expensive. However, if you are in the cancellation line right before the performance, you can get a premium seat for a nominal cost.

What is a loge?

Loges are also known as Boxes. This small section is a private seating area in a London theatre for a limited number of people.

When do theatre shows generally start in London?

Most shows at the London Theatre start at 7:30 PM with a 20-minute interval in between. Most titles take Sunday off although some family-friendly shows choose Monday as the off day.

What should I keep in mind when buying my London Theatre ticket?

Make sure that you check the theatre seating plan carefully before you purchase your London Theatre ticket. This will help you in choosing a seat that offers a good view of the stage and fits your budget.

What should I do if my ticket is double booked?

Double bookings occur when two people book the same seat. When this happens, notify a member of the staff, but please be aware that a customer who has bought tickets from the Box Office (and most likely paid far more) will take priority over those who bought their tickets from an approved outside agency.

Is it better to sit stage left or right?

“Stage right” and “stage left” indicate the point of view of the performer standing in front of an audience. Their mirror images are “house right” and “house left,” which describe the same directions. Central seats are recommended over seats to the farther left or right.