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Best place to sit at the theatre?

45 replies

Pumpkinstace · 24/09/2021 22:57

I am planning to go to a musical and I'm looking at the available seats.

I could be down the front about 6 rows back, or on the first upper tier of seats at the front, both are similar price.

I'm not sure what works better, I've never been to a musical or anything more than my local theatre before so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

OP posts:
Pikamoo · 25/09/2021 02:03

For a big theatre I like to be in the circle. For somewhere smaller like the RSC in Stratford you can't beat the stalls. I remember seeing Hamlet with my parents and we got returned tickets that were about three rows back from the stage and it was incredible.

Dogsandbabies · 25/09/2021 02:18

Go to seatplan.com

You will be able to add the theatre and see both reviews and potentially pictures of every seat in the theatre to enable you to choose.

Vanillalime · 25/09/2021 08:48

I went to see Back to the Future a few weeks ago. We had 2nd row stall seats in the McFly Zone & it was fab! You will have the best time!

I always choose the front stalls anyway, as I like to be able to see all the expressions on the actors faces.

starfishmummy · 25/09/2021 08:56

The circle was always considered to be the superior seating. But I'd say I depends on the theatre and whether the stall seats are are ramped. At our local theatre the first few rows of the stalls are flat which as a shortie is no good for me.

Pumpkinstace · 25/09/2021 13:03

Some really really good advice here, thank you.

I think I'd prefer to look down to the stage than up if given the choice.

OP posts:
WeAreTheHeroes · 25/09/2021 13:07

Not sure anyone else has mentioned it, but often the circle obscures part of the view of the stage for seats at the back of the stalls. For that reason I'd choose a seat in one of the first few rows of the circle instead.

AmericanTie · 25/09/2021 13:24

Agree there are drawbacks to each area. How they will impact you depends on the show and personal preference.

So stalls are closest, which is great if you want to really feel at the centre of what's going on. But you're looking up and you don't get a feel of the full spectacle view. Also if it's all on one level, a tall person in front of you stops you from seeing everything. The back of the stalls in some theatres has an overhang from the circle above which can impede your view.

Dress circle you get a good full view, are looking downwards so maybe more comfortable. But you're a bit distant from the stage so it's less immersive, plus the safety rail is in your line of vision if there is one. Seating is usually on a slope though so you've less chance of someone blocking your vision.

Upper circle you're further away, again you get the good overview and the benefit of the slope, even less immersive. Generally a lot cheaper though and once the show's on if it's a good one you won't care about being further away. Seating can be cramped here in older theatres though.

Anything round at the sides in dress or upper circle, you'll be looking at the stage side on. At the very edges you might lose a bit of the stage. How much that matters depends on the show: most use mostly the middle so you're not really missing much.

Then there's pillars. If you're slap bang behind one you'll see a lot less, even a few rows back from it. Although you can get lucky: if you book restricted view right next to regular seating, when there's empty seats people will shift up and you can get a better seat.

Also you can be cheeky and note if there's empty seats with a good view and just move to them in the interval!

thereisonlyoneofme · 25/09/2021 13:26

I use The Box Office and usually there is a seating plan with info on what the view is like from that seat. Im off to see Only Fools and Horses in a couple of weeks. This is in London. I was shocked at the prices though.

Kitkat151 · 25/09/2021 13:27

I like to be middleish.....stalls ....about row E to H

languagelover96 · 25/09/2021 13:29

At the back.

Trumpton · 25/09/2021 13:35

Our sound guys set all sound from middle of row G then they move to the sound deck at the back. Our theatre is a Frank Matcham Victorian gem and I always book those seats.
But I also love the front row circle.

ironorchids · 25/09/2021 13:41

Theatre monkey used to be great to help choose seats by reading people's reviews of particular seats in each theatre.

I haven't used it in while, but they have the Adelphi:

www.theatremonkey.com/venues/adelphi-theatre

MissClementine · 25/09/2021 14:18

There is a website called seatplan.com and it is very helpful. You can look up views from seats at lots of different theatres.

TSSDNCOP · 25/09/2021 14:36

Does stuff come off the stage?

Eg Mary Poppins we were top left from stage (as you look at it) so she flew right over our heads

Eg Lion King you really want stalls aisle seats

If the De Lorean goes out over the auditorium I'd want to be under that!

Vanillalime · 25/09/2021 19:53

@TSSDNCOP

Does stuff come off the stage?

Eg Mary Poppins we were top left from stage (as you look at it) so she flew right over our heads

Eg Lion King you really want stalls aisle seats

If the De Lorean goes out over the auditorium I'd want to be under that!

Yip!! That’s the McFly Zone I mentioned in my post above!!
Mrsjayy · 25/09/2021 20:42

I picked rubbish seats for Phantom the chandelier totally passed by us Grin

SkepticalCat · 25/09/2021 21:25

For Back to the Future the front couple of rows of the stalls are amazing! Very loud though, which may be an issue with hearing aids.

The stage is a bit high and you miss some of the stuff that happens down low on the stage (ie skateboard, until it comes right down to the front).

I'd like to go back to Back to the Future, but maybe front circle next time.

Phantom1 · 26/09/2021 02:33

Seatplan.com is the best for London. Find the theatre and then click view from my seat.

Pumpkinstace · 26/09/2021 15:12

Thanks, we've picked front row dress circle.

I'm so excited now.

OP posts:
SkepticalCat · 26/09/2021 15:33

Great choice - have a brilliant time!

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